Commons Ford Park

Type: Trail	Rating: (3.50)
Difficulty: (3.00)	Solitude: (3.50)
Length: 2.40 Miles	Elevation Gain: N/A
ADAAccessible: N/A	Interpretive Guide: No
Dogs Allowed: Yes	Bikes Allowed: Yes
Cost: Free	More Information: More Info
City: Austin	County: Travis

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Commons Ford includes beautiful Lake Austin shoreline.

Getting there: From MoPac in Austin, head west on FM 2244. Continue west on FM 2244 through the intersection with Capital of Texas Highway. Aproximately 3.5 miles after that intersection turn right on Cuernavaca Drive and then turn left on Commons Ford Road. Continue down this road for and look for the entrace to the park on the left.

The land around Commons Ford used to be ranch land, as evidence by this old dwelling.

The Hikes: Commons Ford Metropolitan Park is one of the lesser known parks in the Austin area, and one of the best. In its 215 acres it boasts wonderful views of Lake Austin, groves of Pecan trees, some historic structures, waterfalls, lots of foliage and hillsides. Since few people seem to know about the park and because the common park amenities such as pools, football fields and playscapes are not present the setting is quieter and more serene.

The trails at Commons Ford vary from grassland here to Cedar covered hills farther inland.

None of the trails at Commons Ford seem to be officially supported. At least they are not mapped and do not include any official signage. However, the city does acknowledge the unimproved trails. The park offers a good variety of trails from the very easy Pecan Grove Trail to the mildly moderate Waterfall Trail. There are likely to be a few more paths we'll return to document at this wonderful park.

There are several picnic benches near the shore of Lake Austin. We sat for some time watching some birds forage for food in the trees nearby. Additional picnic benches and a gazebo are on the western edge of the park near the barn used to store equipment for the park.

Please note that this park includes some strange hours. The park is open Tuesday - Sunday from 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM with reports that the gates are locked at 6:00 PM. You don't want to be stuck out there with no way to drive home. The park is not open on Monday.

Photos

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Log Entries

Great morning at this park
User: Lindey - 5/2/2009 [View Log Page]
Rating:

Difficulty:

Solitude:

Distance: 4.50 Miles Duration: 3 minutes

Hiked to the waterfalls and then strolled to the lake for a little picnic.

Fun, but mark the trails!
User: josh351 - 7/10/2008 [View Log Page]
Rating:

Difficulty:

Solitude:

Distance: 4.00 Miles Duration: 1 hour

Went out to Commons Ford park today for a hike. It was reputed to have a 4/5 hardness and some waterfalls. Well the waterfalls weren't there but then I didn't really expect to find them flowing in July so that was no big deal. I also heard that the trails aren't well marked and this is true. I wandered around the old ranch and down by the lake then up the hill until it becam private property. I walked into the wooded area following what appeared to be a trail of sorts but this quickly came to a halt. I saw a snake but it was no rattler or water moccasin, I just waked around it. Down the hill toward the road I met the waterfall trail. At least I assume that's what it was it stopped by some places that obviously have waterfalls at some point in the year. The trail kinda stopped at what would have been a good sized waterfall a couple months ago. I didn't know that the trail ended so I walked around trying to find the trail, eventually ending up some two miles outside the park on private property. I'd say to make sure to stay on marked trails but there weren't any. Oh well, I had fun. I wouldn't give the trail a 4/5 toughness though, I hiked it in under an hour with a forty pound pack, in ninety five degree weather and I only used a third of my three liter camelback. Try hiking McKittrick Canyon and see if this was even close. Once again, I still had fun, just not as difficult as I desired.

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