mstacer's Logbook

Stats
Total Log Entries: 2 (Rank: 170th)  [List Them]  [Map Them]
Total Distance: 6.00 Miles (Rank: 293rd)
Average Distance: 3.00 Miles

Average Rating: 3point5stars (3.90)
Average Difficulty: 2point5stars (2.71)
Average Solitude: 3stars (3.37)

Earliest Log Entry: 6/24/2012
Latest Log Entry: 7/4/2012

Average ratings are based on the published values and not the values entered in your own log entries.

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Log Entries
Perfect Hike... except for the cobwebs
Southeast Metropolitan Park - 7/4/2012  [View Log Page]
Rating: 4point5stars Difficulty: 3point5stars Solitude: 4point5stars
Distance: 3.00 Miles Duration: 1 hour, 5 minutes

I was very impressed by this trail except for one thing... the cobwebs.  Holy crap.  I have to say, I am not a squeamish gal.  I don't mind bugs, spiders, snakes, mud, etc.  And I LOVE hiking and backpacking with my dogs so I'm willing to put up with a lot.  But I am not exaggerating when I say I was hit in the face with cobwebs every 15 seconds or so.  And not just a string of cobweb, a full-on spider web.  It was almost comical, but I got to the point where I just wanted it to be over... and that's sad to say about any hike.  I found a 3-foot branch shaped like a leaf rake and swung it in front of me the whole time to clear the way.  It actually had me thinking twice about coming back.

And that's a shame because this trail has everything else I want in a hike.  Only 30 minutes away, a full loop, just over an hour to hike, no one else on the trail, tree cover the whole time, and ponds for the pups to swim.  The trail is narrow, lots of up and down and bridges, all the hills and trees make you feel very secluded.  It's beautiful.  I will give this place another shot, but not until the fall when it's cool enough to come later in the day when someone else has cleared the way for me. :)

Favorite Hike in Austin
Turkey Creek Trail - 6/24/2012  [View Log Page]
Rating: 5stars Difficulty: 4stars Solitude: 4stars
Distance: 3.00 Miles Duration: 1 hour

This is by far my favorite hike in Austin.  I can legally have my dogs off-leash and it's a great length, takes me just about an hour.  It's hard to visit when the creek starts to dry up.  I don't want my dogs wading in and drinking stagnant water.  But when the water is flowing, I'd be hard pressed to find another hike like this and I'm here at least once per week.  It's a great work out, for both me and the pups.

I highly recommend getting here ridiculously early on the weekends to beat the crowd or going during the week if you can.  I really dislike hiking when there are lots of other people around.  (Not that I don't like people, it's just that hiking is my alone time.) I get there around 6:45am and just see a few other die-hard, friendly folks who are there for the same reason... to get some exercise, be surrounded by the stillness of nature, and spend time with their dogs.