Lower section of trail
User:
andrewsageek - 7/1/2013
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Distance: 1.30 Miles
Duration: N/A
I hiked a section of this trail as the second half of a loop starting with the Spicewood Canyon Trail. It was an excellent little hike with great views as everyone has said. It was a little tricky finding the trail in some areas; especially when crossing back and forth across the creek. Didn't come across a single person when on the actual trail; only some when leaving, near the river.
Hidden Pools
User:
Blaze - 6/22/2013
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Distance: 5.40 Miles
Duration: 2 hours, 17 minutes
This is a hike I highly recommend. Most of the trail runs up and along some hills, but at the end you are rewarded with a series of natural pools and small waterfalls. Some of them reminded me of a Japanese Garden. Truly awesome.
Beautiful and Serene
User:
Daniel N - 5/17/2010
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Distance: 5.00 Miles
Duration: 3 hours, 45 minutes
This is one of those beautiful and often overlooked places that make our State Parks an incredible asset. Crystal clear swimming holes and cascading water falls make this an incredible place to take in nature and enjoy a dip. There are areas where you follow the path and some pretty steep rock faces and areas where you have to get your feet wet, but always you are surrounded by beauty. We went out to see Gorman Falls but because of an issue with the new Park Pass system needed to stay closer to the HQ. The ranger recommended this hike and I am so glad he did. It was the best I have hiked so far. Also, we only saw one other small group of people the whole day.
Fun, if you like being wet
User:
blargfest - 3/16/2010
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Distance: 4.00 Miles
Duration: N/A
This trail is not well-marked at all, and frequently crosses back and forth over the creek. (This is a lot of fun if you don't mind getting your feet wet.) Once the trail leaves the creek, though, it gets hot and flat and boring, and if you don't want to turn around and walk back across the creek a billion times, you have to finish by walking two miles down the park's dirt road. Some basic climbing/scrambling skills are helpful.
Overall, I really enjoyed it, but it's not for everyone.
User:
gzkemp2 - 11/27/2008
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Distance: 5.00 Miles
Duration: N/A
I hiked this one on Thanksgiving day, it was a beautiful day. Saw lots of Armadillos on the first .5 mile getting to the trail. Did have problems finding some of the markers and had to go back to find them.
Did not see 1 person on the trail. It was rougher then I thought, but it was it was fun. I will defiantly do this one again.
Nice Surprise
User:
Ralph Ladd - 11/17/2008
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Distance: 5.00 Miles
Duration: 2 hours, 20 minutes
Excellent day. Temps in the mid-70's. Not a cloud in the skies. Not another soul on the trail. The route finding was a bit of a challenge in a few places, but that added to the adventure. Even the section above the creek was a pleasent stretch. I'll be back
short hike along river to first falls
User:
haggai - 9/20/2008
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Distance: 3.00 Miles
Duration: 1 hour
We did the short hike along the river to the first pool/waterfall, splashed around some, and then went back. It was pretty, but a little crowded.
GREAT HIKE
User:
medicnco17 - 4/5/2008
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Distance: 8.00 Miles
Duration: 7 minutes
I STARTED OUT WALKING TOWARD THE PRIMITIVE SITE BY THE RANGER STATION AND FOLLOWED THE WHITE TRAIL UP TO THE ROAD WHICH HAD TO BE A GOOD 3.5 TO 4 MILES OF BEAUTIFUL TRAIL. CROSSED THE ROAD AND MADE THE JOURNEY BACK DOWN TOWARDS THE RIVER 5 MILES THOUGH VERY BEAUTIFUL. I SPENT ALL DAY ON THIS TRAIL I STOPPED AND ENJOYED EVERY BIT THE BEST PART IS THE FALLS IF YOUR COMING SOUTH WEST YOU DECND THE FALLS AND THEN CROSS THE CREEK SEVERAL TIMES WITH A SMALL AREA OF ROCK MANUVERING THIS AREA IS WHERE I SAT FOR LUNCH ON TOP OF A ROCK LEDGE OVER LOOKING THE A SMALL POOL OF THE CLEAREST WATER i HAVE EVER SEEN IN TEXAS
Very Beautiful hike
User:
jmitchell - 10/14/2007
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Distance: 3.50 Miles
Duration: 3 hours
Lots of water crossings, lots of small waterfalls
Okay a nice park
User:
jsr59jsr - 4/17/2007
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Distance: 2.50 Miles
Duration: 2 hours
Rugged and Scenic
User:
Austin Explorer - 3/5/2006
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Distance: 4.60 Miles
Duration: N/A
This one was rougher than I expected, in a good way. Missed one of the many creek crossings and had to turn back at one point. Saw about a half dozen people during the three hours I was on this particular trail.
nice scenery, varied terrain
User:
nobody - 3/20/2005
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Distance: 7.50 Miles
Duration: N/A
I took the Spicewood Springs trail up to the road, then the connecting trail down to the river, followed the riverside trail well past the "no bicycling" sign and then doubled back through the campgrounds to my car.
The springs and pools near the trailhead were flowing very profusely. Keeping my feet dry was a challenge. Running shoes were probably a bad idea - sandals or waterproof boots would have been less worry.
The trail starts in a lush riverside area, proceeds up past a series of waterfalls and pools, then tops out in a typical hill country oak/cedar woodland (fairly open - no dense thickets or cedar breaks). Finally it moves back down to the riverside area with lots of tall deciduous trees.
The difficulty rating comes from crossing the creek over and over at the beginning. Rocks are slick, the water level was above the stepping stones, and it wouldn't have been too hard to slip and end up taking an impromptu swim (or getting injured, if that's your thing).
Near where the trail starts at the south end of the camping area there are several pools popular with swimmers and sunbathers. Most visitors to the park stay near the river and this area is especially heavily used, hence 4 on the solitude scale. The rest of the trail was completely deserted (and has been completely or nearly completely empty every other time I've visited).