A Nice Neighborhood Nature Trail

Lots of clammy-bivalvey sorts of things, plus some spirally snaily fossils. As the paleontologists call them.

User: plectrudis - 1/12/2016

Location: Gaines Creek Park

Rating: 3stars

Difficulty: 1point5stars

Solitude:

Miles Hiked: 1.50 Miles Elapsed Time: N/A

Comments:

I was pleasantly surprised by this park--perhaps the low ratings kept my expectations down. For what it is, though, I think it's nice.

For those times when you're seeking seclusion far from civilization, this park is probably not the best choice. But for a quick, convenient hike in S Austin, it's clean, safe, well-maintained, and has some nice signage.

Despite being sandwiched between major roads, the woods are dense enough that you can't see the surrounding development from the loop. And despite its small size, it manages to squueze in three different kinds of plant groups--juniper woods; a young, open elm & mesquite area; and denser post oak and elm woods. The juniper area had that lovely spicy scent that dense cedar brakes often have.

Plus, someone installed a lot of nice geological signage, in addition to the more standard botanical markers. They say things like "Fault-aligned creek" and "Aquifer recharge creek" and "Alluvial plains," plus some more specific rock-related ones. I don't really know what 15 MY-old "terrace gravel" is, but I'm glad I've been introduced to it, however superficially.

In short, it's a modest little park, but it's got heart. (I'm giving it a 1.5 for difficulty because there are some mildly ankle-twisty rocks.)

Log Photos

Fossil-bearing limestone--100 MYA

Botanical signage--Blackjack Oak

Geological Signage

Area around Gaines Creek Park

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