Monday, May 21, 2012
Hiking Austin
From living around Austin for many years, we sometimes take for granted
just how much there is to do and see. The music scene, the food, the
favorable business climate, the state capital, home of UT, and a Texas
heritage of quirky characters. Besides all these things, it is an
outdoor paradise with the Highland Lakes and many miles of hike and bike
trails that meander through and around the city.
Late this
afternoon my wife and I hiked 2 1/2 miles at the 227 acre Wild
Basin Wilderness Preserve. 
The
rocky terrain of the trail is rather challenging, with steep climbs and
elevation drops in places. There were only 4 others we met along the
trail, and benches are along the trail for rest stops. We have hiked the
Preserve before, but never as it was today. About halfway, we were
rewarded with a closeup of the beautiful Laurel Falls which was running
from recent rains and fed by area creeks. 
The
Preserve came into being from the perserverence of 7 women of the Now Or
Never environmental group who viewed the area as too important not to
preserve as the surrounding area was developed as part of Loop 360. When
visiting Austin, take your time and be sure to hike the Preserve and the
many other great hiking trails that surround Austin.
For more details, get this book: 
Best
Hikes Near Austin and San Antonio