Austin Explorer's Logbook

Stats

Total Log Entries: 140 [List Them] [Map Them]
Total Distance: 456.89 Miles
Average Distance: 3.26 Miles

Average Rating:

(3.22)
Average Difficulty:

(2.12)
Average Solitude:

(2.77)

Earliest Log Entry: 4/7/2001
Latest Log Entry: 7/24/2010

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

Photos

The trailhead includes an interpretive display informing hikers of the plants and animals one might find. [Turkey Creek Trail]

Log Entries

Stairmaster Stroll
River Place Nature Trail - 7/24/2010 [View Log Page]
Rating:

Difficulty:

Solitude:

Distance: 5.00 Miles Duration: 3 hours, 23 minutes

Came back after about a week to complete this trail and it was worth it even with the high temperature and humidity today.

Why is this log rating the hike higher than my last visit? Because I finally got to the Upper Panther Trail segment where the roughest terrain is! I was surprised by the amount of elevation gain on the trail here. Lots and lots of stairs certainly made this trail a challenge to construct.

I spotted about six deer crossing the path at one point. Don't expect too much real solitude though, the trail is well used.

Interestingly, the trailheads have a set of wooden dowels that can serve as hiking poles. Feel free to grab one and return it to the holder at whatever trailhead where you end your hike.

Overall, this might very well be one of the better and toughest trails in the Austin area.

Found a couple of caches along the trail
River Place Nature Trail - 7/17/2010 [View Log Page]
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Distance: 2.60 Miles Duration: 2 hours, 22 minutes

My son and I hiked part of this trail and picked up a couple of caches along the way. Timing prevented us from completing it. We'll be back.

Surprisingly enjoyable hike
Matthew and Hazeltine Smith Trail - 4/25/2010 [View Log Page]
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Distance: 1.20 Miles Duration: 1 hour, 1 minute

Since we got such a late start today in getting out we decided to tackle a short trail not too far from home. What this trail lacks in length and difficulty it makes up for in convenience and features. It's got well maintained trails, a decent waterfall and some interpretive markers to provide some insight on the people and wildlife here.

Only saw a few other people on the trail. Though road noise is pretty prevalent the waterfall downs it all out and we had that to ourselves for some time before we were getting ready to leave.

Slippery slopes
Trailhead Park - 2/13/2010 [View Log Page]
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Solitude:

Distance: 1.50 Miles Duration: 1 hour, 30 minutes

I did a short hike on the trail today to do some maintenance on a geocache that we have hidden off the trail. Not too many people, but more than I would have expected given the wetness from the fog and yesterday's rains. Some of the steeper parts of the trail were slick and made for tricky footing, but weren't too bad. The steepest section actually has a pretty handy railing now.

Nice trails, with more to come
Milton Reimers Ranch - 10/25/2009 [View Log Page]
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Solitude:

Distance: 4.54 Miles Duration: 3 hours, 46 minutes

This was my first trip to Reimers, so I was not sure what to expect. I hiked the climbing access trails near the river's edge practically from one end of the park to the other. There were plenty of people in and around Reimer's Canyon where the more popular climbing routes are located, but few people elsewhere. The trail downstream from the River Level Parking area though was almost deserted. I only saw one other person on the trail. If the park's master plan gets implemented this park will have even more in store for us.