Got a little confused, but enjoyed the proximity to the creek
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plectrudis - 9/6/2021
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Distance: 2.20 Miles
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I never did find any trailhead at the park called "Waterfall Trail"--maybe they've changed the name? So I first tried "Creekside Trail," (trailhead and parking at the red star on the map I posted) thinking maybe the waterfall was on the creek? However, Creekside Trail goes downstream to its confluence with the Colorado--no waterfall here. It's a short (~1.2mi round trip) hike, no steep bits, and plenty of shade. There is also a meadow that's supposed to be good for birds.
Then I parked at the Prairie Trailhead, which is in the corner where the road makes an L (at the yellow star on my map). There's no sign to guide you to the Waterfall Trail, but it's on the opposite side of the road from the Prairie. Go up the lawn, past the empty house, and you'll see a trail going into the hilly scrub. That's the Waterfall Trail. By my count, there were 2 huff-inducing hills and some gently wavy bits in between. The waterfalls were both low, but nevertheless pretty, and as advertised, the second was more impressive. Again, this trail was mostly shady, which was very much welcome.
It was Labor Day morning, so there were more people than I would have liked, esp on the Creekside, but it wasn't mobbed or anything. The humidity was _vile_, but I don't think that's the park's fault.
Got a bit lost but I had a lot of fun!
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heatharcadia - 2/7/2016
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Distance: 5.35 Miles
Duration: 2 hours, 51 minutes
Note that the 5.35 miles I hiked includes other trails at Commons Fords Park, not just the Waterfall Trail.
I had never heard of this park but saw it featured on this site so I decided to check it out for a Sunday hike. I began on the other side of the road from the Waterfall Trail and walked down the very easy trail to the park area by the water, looped around, and then went off to find the waterfalls.
I found the first, smaller waterfall(s) easily and crossed the creek. This is where I think I took a wrong turn and got on another trail. I found a washed-out bridge/road segment, which was pretty interesting to observe. I then continued on to another trail which began a steep climb. When I reached the top I found myself at the boundary of the park. I followed the trail along the boundary where it made a very steep (and kind of scary) descent before turning away from the boundary. Not too long after this I arrived the the second, larger fall. This is a nice peaceful area and I rested here before continuing back on the trail and once again getting lost and finding myself back on the trail that follows along the park border.
I saw plenty of people on the side of the park by the Colorado River but I only saw a family of three while on the Waterfall Trail. There is plenty to see at this park and lots of different terrain. I know I didn't cover all of the trails so I'd like to come back and explore some more. My sister also wants to get into hiking so I'll bring her here because the trails on the Colorado River side of the park are all nice and easy.
Sunday hike
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andrewsageek - 6/23/2013
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Distance: 2.00 Miles
Duration: 2 hours
Started out on what I later found out was the waterfall trail, at the west most ; there was some water at the first waterfall (enough for the dog to play), the second one was completely dried out. My companions and I continued past the second waterfall, uphill, to a rocky trail which led us to the park boundary.
We found what resembled a trail that continued along the boundary fence, traversing along it, downhill then back uphill.
We eventually made our way back downhill and connected with the trail that headed south connecting to the first waterfall area.
Overall the hike was great, we passed one group within our two hours there.
Nice hike
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texaskdog - 5/9/2010
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Distance: 2.00 Miles
Duration: 35 minutes
The waterfalls weren't much, but the water levels on many trails I've hiked lately have been low. Up, down, up, down made it a bit challenging but worth the hike back. Reminder: it is closed on Mondays and closed after 6 (the gate actually closes) so dont try this one after work.
Lake Austin
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bkalmick - 3/13/2010
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Distance: 1.00 Mile
Duration: 1 hour, 12 minutes
Not much of a hike here unless you park at the gate and walk down the steep grade...The real trail is at the bottom and it isnt long at all; but it ends at Lake Austin with a nice soccer field and a volleyball net right on the lake! Worth it for sure!
Peace & Solitude
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cancan1959 - 1/2/2010
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Distance: 1.50 Miles
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There was no one else on the trail with us. We crossed the creek and followed a path or stuck as close to the creek as possible, ending back up at the parking area just below the historic log cabin. Creek was low, no real waterfall, just the sound of running water, which is super.
Nice hike, few people.
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epowell - 9/20/2009
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Distance: 1.50 Miles
Duration: 2 hours, 30 minutes
Hiked this on a humid Sunday. There are 3 geocaches near the trail, we visited two of them.
Good Hike
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Lindey - 5/2/2009
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Distance: 3.50 Miles
Duration: 2 minutes
Good easy hike with 6 and 4 yr old. Lots of adventure and not too too difficult for the little ones. Water falls were really flowing with the recent rains. Great park!
Pleasant mini trek
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androidmatten - 2/16/2009
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Distance: 1.30 Miles
Duration: 45 minutes
If you head north from the parking area, you'll end up at the manicured recreation area with a volleyball net and boating dock. This would be great for a family reunion or picnic, but it's a separate destination from the waterfall trail.
The "waterfall" trail, which is south of the parking area, is very short and easy. You have to head down the road in a generally west direction to find the trailhead. We had the whole trail to ourselves on the way in, but crossed paths with about 20 young Cub Scouts and their parents on the way out (happily). I joked to one of the parents that it was "perfect timing."
The water was very low, making the waterfall more of a water trickle. It was still fun to look around and hang out, but there is pretty much only one opening at the end of the trail, so had we be just an hour later, it would have been one big happy family with the Cub Scouts and us. That is to say, this is not like Sculpture Falls, where there are numerous nooks and crannies to sequester yourself away.
Still, very much worth it for a quick "do."
No One There
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bspross - 6/29/2008
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Distance: 3.00 Miles
Duration: 1 minute
I've lived in Austin for 16 years and I've never heard of this place. It was terrific. There was no one there. We saw a few people on the river, but no one in the park. It could have been because we got there at 9:00 on a Sunday and the park does not open until noon for cars. We just opened the gate and walked in. The falls was not a falls because there was no water but the hike was terrific.
There is also a great area for picnics. This is a spectacular park in the middle of town. I highly recommend it and I will be back.
Very interesting hike
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rainwatter - 6/26/2008
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Distance: 1.00 Mile
Duration: 20 minutes
Little Watterdrop and I took this path after exploring the easier Pecan Grove trail. We made it to the first set of falls before we realized that 1. the creek bed was all dried up (makes the waterfall significantly less interesting) and 2. it was getting late and I didn't want to get caught by the 6pm gate, or stuck in traffic on my way back home. What we saw was very interesting, extreamly secluded, with lots of interesting flora and fauna. We found a small patch of water isolated in the creekbed with about 100 tadpoles of various species. The sound made by the Cypurs (?) branches in the wind was chilling, like something out of a horror movie. We will try this again when we have had some rain in the area.
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mbentley - 4/1/2007
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Distance: 2.00 Miles
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I returned to this park to hike up to the waterfalls. I suspect I went beyond the regular trails, as I was off trail and in the brambles a lot. Pretty park, and even though the parking lot was full, I saw only 7 people on the trails in 1 1/2 hours.
cool place
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mbentley - 3/18/2007
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Distance: 0.50 Mile
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I looked around this place to locate trails, but I did not go to the end of the trail.
Few others
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Austin Explorer - 6/4/2006
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Distance: 1.35 Miles
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Of all the times I've been on this trail I've only seen other people a couple of times. Most seem to be interested in other parts of the park away from the trail. Today I was searching for a couple of caches in the park, so I went back and forth in search of them instead of hiking the trail from start to finish.
A nice hike.
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Falchion - 1/14/2006
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Distance: 3.00 Miles
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We went hiking on a Saturday afternoon. Once on the trail, we didn't see a soul. The hike was easy, until we decided to go off the trail, but overall it was very fun place to hike. It would probably have been even more enjoyable if it wasn't for this lousy drought. There was only a trickle of water at the first fall and none at the higher waterfall. I'll have to make it back there during a wetter time.
Beautiful Hike
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oneotedsloth - 4/4/2005
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Distance: 1.25 Miles
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We traveled a little off the beaten path which proved to be very rewarding. Both waterfalls were amazing.
Great warm day, nice hike
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enhance - 1/11/2005
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Distance: 1.25 Miles
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I took my time with this hike and made very little noise going through the woods. I didn't see any wildlife, but it was a beautiful trail. The waterfalls were bad ass.
Fabulous day exploring
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Shylock and Fiona - 6/12/2004
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Distance: 3.00 Miles
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This was the most fun we had on a hike since moving to Austin from Santa Barabara,CA. Did all 3 area Geocaches. Fiona didn't want to leave the park, there's so much to explore here. Wonderful solitude, cool waters, and of course the amazing display of Texas wildflowers. We'll be coming back here often.
Only saw parked cars.
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Centex Trekker - 6/14/2003
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Distance: 0.50 Mile
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The trail is very rocky; no mud problems.
Romantic hike!
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Lindsey206 - 4/27/2003
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Distance: 2.00 Miles
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We only ran across 3 other couples at this park and there was no one on the waterfall hike. It's kind of hard to find the start of the hike. Once you park, instead of heading toward the picnic area, head the opposite way. You'll see a wind gauge on your left and you can kind of make out a small trail.....follow that back into the woods. The water is so clear and beautiful at the falls.
Nice trail, but short
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figment - 4/20/2003
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Distance: 1.50 Miles
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This trail would be a nice end to a picnic down by Lake Austin, there are two small waterfalls along a nice creek. Would be great on a sunny day, because there is a lot of shade.