High4

This is a different trail segment than we have done before on Lake Georgetown.  It may get hot, but since it is about a half hour drive from Austin – I didn’t want to start it any earlier than 8 am.

To get there I will be traveling north on 183 from Austin, turning right on 258, for 4.5 miles and right into the Tejas Campsite parking area (will cross Ronald Reagan Blvd). There are lots of other ways to get there – so plug in the GPS coordinates above – to decide your best way.

We will hike east along the south shore, but will probably not make it to some place we have seen hiking from the Cedar Breaks trail head before we turn around.  Hike will be 3-4 hours, but since we will back track on the same trail it will be as long as we decide for it to be.

Bring water, good shoes, some parts of this trail may be somewhat rough, see:

http://www.texashiking.com/Locations/ShowLocation.aspx?LocationID=1370

As always call if you are running a little late, otherwise we will leave the trail head at 8 am.  Oh, yea – since someone always asks – dogs are welcome (sotto voce ‘right Stokie’).

Dave

(512) 507-2831

If this works out we will try hiking from the Russel Park trail head a later time we go up to Lake Georgetown.

This will be another creek hike, we will hike downstream, picking shallow enough stream segments to stay no deeper than most people’s knees.  We will go at least to at least Sculpture Falls, but stay either in the creek or at creek level.  We should see some pretty segments that are not normally observable from the trails. Hike will be 2.5 to 3 hours unless we all agree we want to go longer.

This is not an official entrance to Barton Creek – but it is a well used one – no legal issues.  This is the farthest upstream entrance I know water should still be flowing well.

Parking below the bridge – should be lots of room at 8:00 AM, but if full park just past the golf course entrance on the other side and walk down.

From Mopac South entrance to 360 go past Scottish Woods and take a left onto Lost Creek, it is almost 3 miles through the neighborhood and there is a small access road on the right to go down to the right and below the bridge.  If you pass the golf course entrance after the bridge and on the right – turn around and park on the left and walk down.

This is a creek walk.  As always, we will wait if you are late, on your way and call – otherwise we will leave on time.  As we get farther into the summer it may dry up, so this may be one of our last creek walks for the season.

Dave

(512) 507-2831

The regular scheduled meeting of the Friends of McKinney Falls State park.

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We’ll hike for about 2 hours up the rocky hills and down the creek bed. Ther are some steep, rocky hills. We will be keeping a good pace, stopping some but not lingering too long. Dogs and kids are welcome. Please bring plenty of water for all and if you are bringing a dog you are required to clean up after them. Directions from 183 and 360: Traveling South on 183 exit 360 and take a right. Spicewood Springs Rd is the 3rd traffic light. The 2nd light is also Spicewood Springs to the left. You will be turning right so bypass the 2nd light. Travel approximately 2 miles on Spicewood Springs Rd. There will be a sign for the park on the left. The parking lot is just up the hill to the left. This is where we’ll meet.

Relatively short hike, 2.5 hours about.  We will meet in the picnic area off of the parking lot which is off of Walnut Creek Rd – which runs through the park.  Enter the park either from Lamar or from Willow Wild Dr off of Parmer.

Bring water, good shoes, ideas to share on how to make the world better … or maybe just more fun.

If you are running late call my cell, otherwise we will leave on time.

Dave

(512) 507-2831

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Somehow failed to cancel the last River Trail hike and people signed up, no reason to believe there is enough River Trail to hike.

Directions – Turn onto Lakewood from either 2222 or 360, near the juncture of both roads, meet next to the larger parking lot at the dog park.  Near the rest rooms.

Wear good shoes and bring water.  Also bring things to talk about, problems you want help solving, interesting trivia to share.

Dogs welcome. Please try to be on time, as we will leave at the posted time, unless we get a call, so feel free to call my cell:

(512) 507-2831

Dave

From RR 620 (which becomes the 45 access road, but you can avoid the toll), heading north towards Round Rock, turn left on Parmer Lane and head northwest. Just after crossing the bridge over Brushy Creek take an immediate right on Brushy Creek Road and look for the park entrance on the right, bear left after taking a right to find the right section of parking lot.

We will start at in the parking lot near the play scape and bathrooms, and take the trail west under the road to the  athletic field, and loop back to where we started, that will be a fairly short hike, but from there those who are interested can go east along the east side of the lake to where the trail eventually meets back up with Brushy Creek Rd.  This area is less rough and more residential, and we will double back when we have hiked enough.

Bring water, good shoes, I think this will be a pretty easy hike.

As always, hikes are dog friendly, call if you are running late, otherwise we will start on time.

Dave

(512) 507-2831

Howdy, Fellow Adventurers,

Lots of folks would like to hike at high altitudes but are, quite reasonably, wary of launching without a bit of know-how. I have hiked/climbed/backpacked 100+ mountains over 13,000 feet high and mostly enjoyed doing so, despite a colorful collection of mistakes made and learned from. I’ll be giving a presentation in the REI meeting room at the Gateway location.

Schedule 6:15-6:30 Say hello, pick a seat.

6:30-8:00 Presentation (we will start on time)

8:00-8:30ish Q & A

(8:30 the intrepid/thirsty among us may head to NXNW for a beer)

Agenda:

- a few gratuitous pictures of mountains, snow and fluffy white goats

- how altitude will likely affect you

- why you’re very unlikely to die, so sally forth with confidence! yahoo!

- notwithstanding the last item, some key bits of caution

- what to bring. I’ll bring a pack with my typical gear for hiking a high peak in Colorado

- what not to bring. You don’t need huge amounts of safety gear for a day hike

- eating and drinking, and why an annoyingly cheery person like me will try to convince you to eat and drink when when you feel nauseated from lack of oxygen

- exciting weather. Have you ever had sparks come out of your ears?

- guidelines for choosing your first few high-altitude trips

Special Guest

My trusty hiking partner, Eden, will be on hand to give a women’s perspective on a few things.

Sorry for the late notice. This hike is much farther south Austin than we have been having.

Mary Moore Searight park is off of Slaughter – very close to I-35.  From Slaughter and I-35 head West on Slaughter and take a left onto S Mary Moore Searight Dr. (it is really easy to miss this turn) follow it to the parking lot at the end – we will meet at the pavilion and hike from there.  This will probably be about a 2.5 hour hike.  Hike is people and dog friendly, don’t bring your giraffe.

If you are going to be late – please call my cell at (512) 507-2831

Dave

We will hike for about 3 hours, approximately 5 miles. We will be keeping a pretty good pace so this is not for first time hikers or those who prefer a slower stroll through the park. This trail is pretty rocky in some parts so wear hardy shoes. Dogs and kids are welcome if they can keep up.  There are only one or two small watering holes so bring plenty of water for you and your dog and of course, clean-up.

The directions to the park are as follows: Take I35 to Georgetown. Exit Rt 29 and turn left (West) I think this is also exit 261. Travel 2 miles to DB Wood Rd and make a right. Travel 2 more miles to Cedar Breaks Park and turn left. The park is another 2 miles (approx) After passing the park entrance gate, the parking lot is to the left. The park is free for hikers but you’ll need to sign in with the attendant.