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Barton Creek Greenbelt (Lower Section)
User: Blaze - 6/27/2014  [View Log Page]
Rating: 1point5stars Difficulty: 1star Solitude: 1star
Distance: 9.10 Miles Duration: 4 hours, 18 minutes

After hiking the Upper Section of the Barton Creek Greenbelt, my friend and I decided to hike the lower section the following day.  We started our hike near the Zilker Botanical Gardens, hiked past Barton Springs, and up Barton Creek, turning around near Hwy 360 and Hwy 1 (MoPac).

This section of Barton Creek did not have as many natural falls and springs as the upper section, but there were more prominent cliffs for rock climbing, such as the Seismic Wall.

It was a hot and humid day, but still an enjoyable hike.

Barton Creek Greenbelt (Hill Of Life)
User: Blaze - 6/27/2014  [View Log Page]
Rating: 1point5stars Difficulty: 1point5stars Solitude: halfstar
Distance: 1.00 Mile Duration: 24 minutes

After competing the lower section of Barton Creek, my friend and I decided to tackle the Hill Of Life before returning to Houston.  We had heard it was challenging and we were hungry for elevation training.

Frankly, I did not think the Hill Of Life (or Hill Of Death, depending on your perspective) was that difficult.  I walked up as far as I could.  I broke a sweat, but was not that winded.  It was also over sooner than I expected.  I guess my impression was it was somewhat overrated...

Barton Creek Greenbelt (Upper Section)
User: Blaze - 6/26/2014  [View Log Page]
Rating: 1point5stars Difficulty: 1star Solitude: 1star
Distance: 10.80 Miles Duration: 4 hours, 1 minute

With a sudden improvement in the rainy weather, my friend and I decided to drive out to Austin on a spur of the moment to go hiking.  I chose the upper section of Barton Creek as our challenge and we started our hike near Hwy 360 and Hwy 1 (MoPac).  Although there are distance markers posted along the trail, the overall signage is not very good since you are required to cross the creek at a couple of points and I did not see any trail signs indicating to cross.  As a result, we continued along some informal trails before they dead ended and we were required to turn back.  This happened to us on both sides of the creek, as shown in my track file.

In any case, Twin Falls and the upper falls were nice since there was a lot of water from recent rainfalls.  There were a lot of teenagers and young adults there chilling out, sunbathing, swimming, and meditating.

One trail segment I wanted to do was the "Hill Of Life" (or "Hill Of Death, depending on your perspective), but we passed by the Scottish Woods Trail because it was not marked.  I just thought it was an outlet trail (which it is), but I did not know it was the trail up the "Hill Of Life".

Overall, we had a nice hike although it was extremely humid.  The signage needs to be improved and trail maintenance was in order since the lush vegetation was overgrown and blocking the trail in some parts.

Nice spring day, not too hot yet!
User: voolevoonye - 3/22/2014  [View Log Page]
Rating: 4point5stars Difficulty: 1point5stars Solitude: halfstar
Distance: 6.00 Miles Duration: N/A

Started at Twin Falls, to Hill of Life (up & down) and back to Twin Falls. Lots of folks on this beautiful Saturday morning; hiking, running, biking - humans & pets alike! Fun!

User: ValEpiscopo - 11/18/2013  [View Log Page]
Rating: 3stars Difficulty: 3stars Solitude: 1point5stars
Distance: 2.00 Miles Duration: 1 hour, 15 minutes
Hiked around 360 Trailhead, using flashlight. Watched a few climbers on the rocks.
Great Day
User: LAF - 8/17/2013  [View Log Page]
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 3point5stars Solitude: 3point5stars
Distance: 6.00 Miles Duration: 3 hours, 30 minutes
Started at 360 entrance office park. Headed toward Mopac until I reached the Hill of Life Did the hill 2x's then hiked back to 360. I wore my new lightweight OR shoe gators which I loved!!! Kept all he pebbles out of my shoes. Next time I need to take more water. I use the Nathan Hydration belt only hold 2 bottles. Look forward to extending my next hike.
Beautiful Area
User: Katzfang - 3/16/2013  [View Log Page]
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 3point5stars Solitude: 3stars
Distance: 3.00 Miles Duration: N/A

Started out at the Scottish Woods Entrance. Walked untill Mopac was in site. Some water was in the creek but limited. Saw a small snake that crossed our path. Beautiful day. Will post pictures later.

Popular and fun
User: Trailmagic - 7/28/2012  [View Log Page]
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 3stars Solitude: 2stars
Distance: 8.00 Miles Duration: 3 hours
One of Austin's crown Jewels.. I parked a car at the Zilker park trail head and got a shuttle to the top of Scottish woods and the hill of life. Then Walked the trail in one direction. about 8miles. Much of it is the green tunnel like hike in the woods, but it opens to wonder views of Barton creek and notorious swimming holes like Sculpture falls during the hike. There are some social trails along the way that can make it a little confusing, but if you keep the creek close its almost a no brainer. In deep summer go early in the morning, not only for nicer temp's but a bit more solitude possibly. Have fun!
User: cwlatapie - 5/23/2012  [View Log Page]
Rating: 3point5stars Difficulty: 2point5stars Solitude: 2stars
Distance: 18.00 Miles Duration: 8 hours

Beautiful and green, as long a hike as you want,  the spring is great to relax in, creek bottem trails lots of heavy rock, lots of bikes, no drinking water,  dog doo on the trails. I will go back to relax in the spring.

User: Ollie - 4/12/2010  [View Log Page]
Rating: 3stars Difficulty: 3stars Solitude: 3stars
Distance: 1.00 Mile Duration: N/A
User: Ollie - 4/2/2010  [View Log Page]
Rating: 5stars Difficulty: 3stars Solitude: 2stars
Distance: 1.00 Mile Duration: N/A
Searching for the Cox Ranch
User: Ollie - 3/24/2010  [View Log Page]
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 3stars Solitude: 4stars
Distance: 2.00 Miles Duration: N/A

I started from the MOPAC entence and backtracked down stream along the north side of the creek.  I ran across little to no people along the path.  There was a rockslide right at the MOPAC bridge and a few windfalls further down the trail but the condition is decent in most places.  Still could find no indication of the Cox Ranch site.

User: Ollie - 3/15/2010  [View Log Page]
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 2stars Solitude: 2stars
Distance: 2.50 Miles Duration: N/A
Great section of Barton Creek
User: Ollie - 2/16/2010  [View Log Page]
Rating: 5stars Difficulty: 2stars Solitude: 2stars
Distance: 2.00 Miles Duration: N/A

Hiked from MOPAC south turnaround and really enjoyed the hike... lots of need things to explore and look at including an old stone wall.

User: marakristina - 1/27/2010  [View Log Page]
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 2stars Solitude: 2stars
Distance: 7.00 Miles Duration: N/A
User: Kim Skotak - 12/21/2009  [View Log Page]
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 3stars Solitude: 3stars
Distance: 6.00 Miles Duration: 3 hours, 30 minutes
Beautiful area in the middle of the city...
User: sitac - 11/18/2009  [View Log Page]
Rating: 5stars Difficulty: 3stars Solitude: 3stars
Distance: 8.00 Miles Duration: 4 hours, 35 minutes

We entered at the Camp Craft Road entrance at 11:30 on a Wednesday and went down the "Hill of Life"...The trail and creek were beautiful and we saw only a few others, mostly with thier dogs, on this part of the trail.  Our idea was to try and walk all the way to the Zilker Park entrance, as we had left one car there.  Not recommended as once we got to the Gaines Creek entrance off of Mopac, the trail got hard to follow under MoPac and beyond, until we got to the 360 entrance area.  We did it but had to make our own trail in some spots and had to cross over the creek twice.  It was a nice day so we were okay with that; and we stopped to eat our lunch.  Also, we saw a sign that said "Trail Closed" but it was from the direction we had alredy come from, and no sign before that.  So, that mile and a half or so between Mopac and 360 is the most difficult. ...Remember also, that this entrance is in a neighborhood area,so there is limited parking, and you probably cannot park there on a busy weekend. 

Great Hike
User: goffree - 8/3/2009  [View Log Page]
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 3stars Solitude: 3stars
Distance: 5.00 Miles Duration: N/A

great hike with my dogs this evening!  Ran into few runners and cyclists.  Started at Mopac access road.  Went past Sculpture Falls and sign for restrooms.  Looped back around on other side.  Still bone dry down there.

No water, lots of cyclists, very green
User: jessicab - 5/25/2009  [View Log Page]
Rating: 3stars Difficulty: 2stars Solitude: 3stars
Distance: 3.00 Miles Duration: N/A

We hiked the east greenbelt today with our dog from 360 down to Fruh Pool thinking there would be some water after the rain we had this weekend. Not a drop. It was a lovely hike though, relatively easy, although there were a ton of cyclists to watch out for.

lots of green, but not a drop of water
User: klyevans - 5/10/2009  [View Log Page]
Rating: 3stars Difficulty: 2stars Solitude: 4stars
Distance: 2.00 Miles Duration: 1 hour
I hiked part of the lower greenbelt with my dog today. I thought there might be at least a puddle for him to wade in, but nope. Bone dry. Still a nice hike with all the vegetation and no crowds.
Nice park, bone dry, lots of cyclists
User: christiniprosperity - 1/1/2009  [View Log Page]
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 3stars Solitude: 1star
Distance: 3.00 Miles Duration: 1 minute

Was a nice long and bumpy hike.  Would have been better if I knew all the no-bike trails.  But it was pretty nice.  Watch out for bikers everywhere.

Surprising Solitude in Austin!
User: a0628h0427 - 10/25/2008  [View Log Page]
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 1star Solitude: 3stars
Distance: 2.50 Miles Duration: 2 minutes

This was a nice hike, surprisingly isolated in Austin. There were a lot of bikers on the trail to watch out for.

User: tyan - 7/20/2008  [View Log Page]
Rating: 5stars Difficulty: 1star Solitude: 3stars
Distance: 2.00 Miles Duration: 1 minute
User: nhoppens - 7/20/2008  [View Log Page]
Rating: 3stars Difficulty: 2point5stars Solitude: 2stars
Distance: 5.00 Miles Duration: 3 hours

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