A fun and relaxing walk in the woods

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User: tres - 6/12/2007

Location: Spicewood Valley Trail

Rating: 4stars
Difficulty: 2stars  Solitude: 3stars
Miles Hiked: 2.60 Miles  Elapsed Time: N/A

Comments: I hike here frequently and find it quite enjoyable. This trail winds through a wooded ravine from a reservoir in the north down to Spicewood Springs Road in the south. You feel quite isolated given that the park borders a housing subdivision. Typically I pass one or two other people along the trail. The net change in elevation is about 110 feet. Although the passage from the trailhead(s) in and out of the ravine is relatively steep, it only takes a few minutes. Along the main trail the slope is relatively modest. Points of interest not mentioned in other posts include a tree house, a small grassy meadow with wildflowers, and an old watering trough. If you want to start near the northern end of the trail, the alternate trailhead ("Alt-TH") is located at the intersection of Evening Primrose Path and Topridge Drive. The alternate trailhead meets the main trail just below the rocky path to the reservoir. On the southern end of the trail there appears to be a small, unofficial parking area at the intersection of Spicewood Springs Road and Scotland Well Drive (in front of the city wastewater utility lift station #105). An unmarked path goes directly from the parking area through the woods to meet up with the main trail. Alternatively, from the parking area you can take the sidewalk up Scotland Well and access the trail from the "turnaround" point. If desired, extend your hike by linking up with other nearby trails. Connect to the Upper Bull Creek Greenbelt trail by crossing the creek a few feet downstream of the man-made waterfall. The Upper Bull Creek Greenbelt trail goes through the woods, past a pond, and up to Canyon Vista Middle School. Also, the Talleyran Park hiking trail can be accessed from its "turnaround" at Old Lampasas Trail. It is about a 10 minute walk along a sidewalk from the Spicewood Valley trail "turnaround" on Scotland Well Drive to the Talleyran Park "turnaround" on Old Lampasas Trail.

Area around Spicewood Valley Trail
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