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Rattan Creek

Name: Rattan Creek
Rating: 1.70

Type: Trail

Length: 1.50 Miles

Elevation Gain: N/A

Cost: Free

Rating:

(1.70)10

Difficulty: halfstar

(0.75)

Solitude:

(1.00)

ADA Accessible: N/A

Bikes Allowed: Yes

Dogs Allowed: Yes

Interpretive Guide: No

City: Austin

County: Travis

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Map

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Getting there: Rattan Creek Park is located at the corner of Tamayo Drive and Dallas Drive in north Austin south of Parmer Lane. From MoPac, head west on Parmer Lane. Pass McNeil Drive and turn left on Dallas Drive, which should be the second left after McNeil. Head south and then turn right onto Tamayo Drive. The park is on the right. Park along the road.

The Hike: This easy hike begins at a playground located along the banks of Rattan Creek. The designated trail does not officially begin until you walk to the back of the park and recreation area. However this hike's trailhead is marked near the parking at the waypoint "Trailhead".

A recreation complex marks the southern end of the trail.

The trail heads north following Rattan Creek downstream. The trail is very easy to navigate, being crushed gravel with a few cement water crossings here and there. All in all it's a leisurely walk that can be used for some after work exercise or trying out new gear.

A Treehouse guards part of the trail.

Don't expect to see flowing water on this hike, that's liable to happen only right after a rain storm. As the topo map indicates, Rattan Creek is a "sometimes" creek that usually contains a few self contained pools of water that don't flow until the rains bring a critical mass of moisture to push things along.

One of the interesting features on this hike is the tree house that is in one of the oak trees that line the trail. You can find it at the waypoint marked, "Treehouse". It's of fairly good construction, but be careful if you plan to check out the view from it.

The gravel surface of the trail is well maintained.

The turnaround point for this hike is marked by the waypoint "Turnaround". It's situated close to Parmer Lane which shows up as a dirt trail on the dated topo map. Conceivably one could continue the trail on the other side of Parmer but private property and apartment complexes are being built there as we speak. Hopefully an extension will be possible in the future.

In all we took less than 1 hour to complete the hike out and back. It's an easy hike that can be enjoyed by people of all abilities.

Log Entries

By terlanmat68 on 8/18/2012
Rating:

Difficulty:

Solitude:

Distance: 2.50 Miles Duration: 50 minutes

Nice walking path
By fiftyandfat on 2/5/2011
Rating:

Difficulty:

Solitude:

Distance: 2.00 Miles Duration: N/A

Short hike
By texaskdog on 2/21/2010
Rating:

Difficulty:

Solitude:

Distance: 2.00 Miles Duration: 30 minutes

Basic neighborhood path. It does extend a bit west too.

Easy Hike
By bspross on 10/25/2008
Rating:

Difficulty:

Solitude:

Distance: 1.40 Miles Duration: 45 minutes

This is an easy hike perfect for dogs. It is perfectly flat and through the neighborhood.

By Blake on 1/15/2005
Rating: N/A Difficulty:

Solitude:

Distance: 3.00 Miles Duration: N/A

By Blake on 1/10/2005
Rating: N/A Difficulty:

Solitude:

Distance: 3.00 Miles Duration: N/A

Caching and hiking
By Austin Explorer on 7/4/2004
Rating:

Difficulty:

Solitude:

Distance: 1.50 Miles Duration: N/A
Went back to this park to find four new geocaches. I'd give this hike a difficulty of 1, if only because it's not paved. Lots of wildflowers growing along the trail and creek.

Nice Trail with Fitness stations
By figment on 5/13/2003
Rating: N/A Difficulty:

Solitude:

Distance: 2.00 Miles Duration: N/A
There are 8 fitness stations at this park for stretches and chin ups, etc. Lots of active people using the trail, nice for the neighborhood or fitness people.

Very nice after work hike.
By cprice2k3 on 4/3/2003
Rating: N/A Difficulty:

Solitude:

Distance: 3.00 Miles Duration: N/A
This was a very well used trail and a lot of people were using it at the time.

Nice Neighborhood greenbelt
By Blizzard on 3/30/2003
Rating: N/A Difficulty:

Solitude:

Distance: 3.50 Miles Duration: N/A
Nice hike. The neighborhood kids have many tree houses and forts hidden along the way. I t appears the area upstream is now open for hiking. Boxers alos hide in the area. RY

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