claireific's Logbook

Stats
Total Log Entries: 3 (Rank: 204th)  [List Them]  [Map Them]
Total Distance: 8.50 Miles (Rank: 375th)
Average Distance: 2.83 Miles

Average Rating: 3point5stars (3.56)
Average Difficulty: 2point5stars (2.57)
Average Solitude: 3stars (3.20)

Earliest Log Entry: 5/23/2010
Latest Log Entry: 7/17/2010

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

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Log Entries
Cute little trail
Blunn Creek Preserve - 7/17/2010  [View Log Page]
Rating: 3stars Difficulty: 2stars Solitude: 5stars
Distance: 2.00 Miles Duration: N/A

As hikes in Austin go, this one gets points for solitude (I didn't see anyone else the entire time) and scenery. The high point has a great view of St. Edward's and downtown, and there are plenty of trailmarkers, which I happen to prefer. It wasn't particularly special or challenging, and I like the hikes further southwest better (Barton and the like) but this one was nice. There's a little creek, and as one reviewer noted, a fair amount of debris and litter. It's too bad, really. Bonus: I saw a bright purple dragonfly and a cottontail rabbit on the trail!

Woohoo!
Barton Creek - South Gus Fruh - 5/30/2010  [View Log Page]
Rating: 5stars Difficulty: 4stars Solitude: 2stars
Distance: 3.50 Miles Duration: 3 hours, 30 minutes

So great! For accuracy's sake, I think what I actually did was more north than south, but the trail marked in my handy guidebook wasn't exactly easy to follow in practice, so we just went with it and improved a bit. We started at the trailhead on Barton Hills Drive (so so sorry if this is another trail altogether) and after making it past a swimming hole, the trail became less and less distinct and more and more amorphous. But no prob, we just kept going alongside the creekbed, moving over boulders, around trees and alongside some really gorgeous cliffs, at one point finding some little springs seeping through the rock and down to the creekbed. We also saw small caves and at one point found a little climbing rope bolted into a 10 foot high rock shelf we were able to scoot up. After the "trail" alongside the creekbed got a little too difficult and steep (I stupidly neglected to bring a pack and was just carrying a water bottle so scrambling got hard) we moved down into the creekbed proper and just moved around muddy or shallow areas of the creek. It was insanely beautiful, all I can say. If you go down to the creekbed like I did, just be aware of all the loose rocks. And obviously, trail marking is nil. I think I saw two the entire time I was in the park. Also, there are lots of people around on a sunny Sunday, and sadly lots of litter. But I loved this hike and my buddy and I already agreed to return soon.

Southeast Metropolitan Park - 5/23/2010  [View Log Page]
Rating: 3stars Difficulty: 3stars Solitude: 5stars
Distance: 3.00 Miles Duration: 2 hours

This was a well-marked, safe, and very isolated hike. The entire time I was hiking I saw one other person and that was in the parking lot - and he was heading for the multi-purpose trail. This one is good for beginners since you'll always know that you're on trail with all of the markers, and while I didn't spot any mammals, I did see some amazing butterflies, dragonflies, beetles, and a lizard during my trek. You'll also see some dense patches of cacti, two ponds, a few foot bridges and some steep inclines. There were also some parts that were so quiet it was like I had cotton stuffed in my ears. Very cool. This isn't the prettiest trail; I personally like the scenery in Westlake/Barton Springs better, but it's enjoyable and peaceful.