McKinney Falls State Park (Austin, TX-2013.10.12)

Directions:

From downtown Austin, take Interstate 35 south to exit 230 for Texas 71 East toward Bastrop. Merge with E Ben White Boulevard then turn right onto Chapman Lane with a left onto Burleson Road not much further. Turn right onto McKinney Falls Parkway and the entrance to McKinney Falls State Park is on the right.

Hike:

Onion Creek is the main trail encircling the southern part of the park with all the camping sites. I parked near the showers in the Big Cedar Camping area which is always beneficial after a hike. It was also near an unmarked entry to the trail that could easily be overlooked and leads to and from the loop connecting the campers to the trail. Here are the coordinates of N 30 10.613' W 097 43.509'. Besides my Garmin Montana, I had the trail map given to me at the entrance that listed very good trail etiquette:

• Stay on designated trails
• Lease your pets
• Trash your trash
• Take only memories and pictures
• Respect fellow trail users

First impressions gave a narrow concrete trail which is good on a cloudy possible rainy day. Once I connected to the loop, I decided on going counter clockwise and learned early how narrow the trail can be with bikers. Nevertheless, there weren't any crashes that day.

Most of the attractions in the park are along the second quarter of my hike leading up to the Smith Visitor Center with hands-on exhibits and educational exhibits. But before arriving there, I passed the Horse Trainer's Cabin, remains of the former residence of John Von Hagen. It is a two-room structure build in the 1850s and the center of McKinney horse training operations. I imagine back then the air was cleaner and being outdoors was pleasant, thus no need for a living room and all the structure was used for was shelter. How times have changed.

The main attraction of this trail however is the Upper Falls. The map states that 'water cascades through natural channels within a massive bed of exposed limestone.' However, today the falls was more like a drip which allowed us to see the limestone and what causes the effect of the falls. More interesting is the over-hang. Luckily, it is relatively strong and didn't crack as I sat for a moment and let my feet dangle. A few cautions to consider: there are no lifeguards on duty, swimming only allowed during daylight hours, and no pets in the water all leading up to swim at your own risk.

After leaving the Upper Falls, the trail followed Onion Creek full of picnic tables with side routes to restrooms and the amphitheater. A little further and there is a row of primitive camping sites mostly occupied with weekenders. It was a beautiful quiet day until the row of cub scouts rode by on blazing bicycles from the youth camping area. They looked happy and I wish I was both their age and riding with them. Especially down the steep hill that curved to make things just a little more interesting.

The last part of my hike, it was pretty much and the cactus and the two geocaches. For one, I was on the wrong side of the trail until I noticed something just a little off and found it. The next one was my favorite kind, an ammo can full of happiness. Then it all came to an end when I finished the loop. Soon, I was in the showers, cleaning up, and headed to San Antonio for the UTSA Roadrunner game with my McKinney Falls State Park pathtag.

Find this walk on everytrail.com.

Numbers:

Duration: 1:33:47 minutes
Distance: 3.31 miles
Pace per mile: 28:18

Total blogged miles: 244.26 miles.

Government Canyon State Park (San Antonio, TX)

Directions:

From Downtown San Antonio go west on Interstate 10 to Loop 1604 and then head south. It is a highway until a little past the University, then comes the stop lights. Turn west on Shaenfield Road which turns into Galm Road and where it turns left to go south, the entrance to park is on the right. If a ranger is not at the entrance there is a self-play station. Follow the main road and it will take you to the park headquarters.

Hike:

It's 08:23 and 82°F on Saturday, September 28th as I started hiking north on Joe Johnston Route. One of the two main trails in Government Canyon. Good trail maps can be found at the entrance or by printing off the park website.

In addition to hiking, I wanted to do some geocaching and there were a few in the park. By 08:44, I get close to the first cache on the trail and low and behold, it is next to a sign that reads: Caution Rattlesnake area. Nice! I turn down my wireless earphones and get attune to hear rattles. I am not so worried because I have a heavy step and make a lot of noise. If a rattlesnake cannot detect my presence then that is one not so keen snake. I find the cache, sign the log, and get back to the main trail. Made it without getting bitten.

At 09:11, I get to an open area field, Hoffman Hayfield, used for medevac helicopters. There is a cache there and also people there cutting the grass and keeping it clear. I have come across more people from walkers to runners to bikers. The park is coming to life.

Where Joe Johnston Route intersects with the Carolina Loop, I divert. There is an overlook trail that perks my interest, by just the name of it. Before I go to the Overlook, I decide to take the loop for a short diversion to a cache. Carolina Loop is about 2.2 miles and I wish I had more time today to take it, but maybe next time. The good thing about these two trails is that they are narrow and designed solely for foot traffic.

A little after 10:00 am, I make it to the overlook where a couple is enjoying the view. I, of course, emerge from the bush after finding another cache. It is a steep drop, so don't get too close to the edge. At about 50 feet, the drop won't kill you, but it will hurt. After a couple of photos, I move on as I know there is more trail to see.

When I reconnect with the Joe Johnston trail from the Outlook trail, I find the Zizelmann House. Built in the 1880s, it is now blocked off behind a fence and in need of attention. Maybe someday, it will be restored and we can get up close to a bit of South Texas Back Country history.

I turn onto the Windmill trail where I a crew of workers take over the trail. The while I was hiking this section of the park, I looked for the little windmill but did not see it. Guess it was too saw or more likely, I am too blind.

The Windmill trail ends at Sendero Balcones at the entrance of the Protected Habitant area. I did not enter as time was counting down against me. There is an afternoon football game I had tickets for and did not want to miss. Instead, I took Sendero to south at a break neck pace along the rocky trail. At one point, I pass three ladies and rush through several cross paths back to the Joe Johnston Route. I get to the recharge zone trail and cross over to finish the loop. To finish it off, I stop in the state park store and buy some souvenirs. 

Government Canyon gave me what I needed that Saturday morning. Time on the trail alone, but not so much with people crossing my path from time to time. Great weather, a good defined trail, and last, but not least, some exercise in my home region, South Texas. I went back in time for a few todays that day. It is definitely a good place to take a hike minutes from the city.

Find this walk on everytrail.com.

Numbers:

Duration: 4:21:16
Distance: 9.85 miles
Pace per mile: 26:31

Total blogged miles: 240.95 miles.