jmm482's Logbook

Stats
Total Log Entries: 5 (Rank: 112nd)  [List Them]  [Map Them]
Total Distance: 8.00 Miles (Rank: 393rd)
Average Distance: 1.60 Miles

Average Rating: 3stars (3.12)
Average Difficulty: 2stars (2.08)
Average Solitude: 2point5stars (2.96)

Earliest Log Entry: 4/18/2008
Latest Log Entry: 4/20/2008

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

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Log Entries
Nice!
St. Edwards Park - Hill Trail - 4/20/2008  [View Log Page]
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 3stars Solitude: 4stars
Distance: 3.00 Miles Duration: 1 hour, 30 minutes

Took the hill trail for the first time this morning and really enjoyed the experience.  Since I had time to kill, I started wandering trails to see where they may lead.  Ended up crossing the power line into the preserve and coming out at the trail head to Jester Mountain off Gutherie and Aralia.  I was actually happy to see the City is providing limited access to the Balcones Preserve lands.  Many, many warblers as you ascend to the higher areas.  Saw a birder, another lone hiker, two mountain bikers, photographer, and two families.  Great day to be out!

Read the signs?
Bull Creek Preserve - 4/20/2008  [View Log Page]
Rating: 3stars Difficulty: 2stars Solitude: 4stars
Distance: 1.50 Miles Duration: 30 minutes

I wandered into the preserve from St. Edwards and did not see any signs for the need of a permit...Hmm?  I should have actually read the sign.  Makes sense, I guess.  As a passive user sticking to the trail, you might be able to talk your way out of any citation if you bump into City personnel.  Seeing that Feb-Jun is the breeding season for the golden-cheeked warbler, it's probably not a good idea to get caught in the preserve without the proper authorization during those months.

Great creek hike
St. Edwards Park - Creek Trail - 4/20/2008  [View Log Page]
Rating: 3stars Difficulty: 3stars Solitude: 3stars
Distance: 0.50 Mile Duration: 30 minutes

Looped a portion of this one in with the hill trail this morning.  Creek was flowing, but slightly low. Beautiful riparian corridor of limestone bluffs and large sycamores. I don't this portion of the creek ever runs dry

Great place to hike with the dogs!
Turkey Creek Trail - 4/19/2008  [View Log Page]
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 3stars Solitude: 2stars
Distance: 2.50 Miles Duration: 1 hour, 10 minutes

This is a gem of a little hike and allows an excellent glimpse of the attributes driving conservation efforts within Austin and the Hill Country.  My dog absolutely loves the numerous creek crossings and meeting all the other dogs and people along the way.  Most folks were out with their dogs and there was one group seeking a glimpse at the all elusive warbler.  I was able to hear at least 7 golden-cheeked warblers while hiking around the loop and near the parking area.  Only a couple were using the primary call (call I), with the majority using the secodary (call II), and call III every once and awhile.  Between mile markers 0.5 to 1.5, there was a warbler near each of the quarter-mile markers, typically on the opposite hillslope as the previous one.  The trail is well defined and lined with limestone rocks.  It's encouraged to stay on the trail and respect the habitat of rare and endangered species found in this area.   

Great incidental park
Schroeter Park - 4/18/2008  [View Log Page]
Rating: 1star Difficulty: 1star Solitude: 2stars
Distance: 0.50 Mile Duration: 10 minutes
Building on what figment wrote in the previous post, this is indeed an incidental park.  It has a decent decomposed granite jogging path that attracts a handful of regular users.   The open spaces are not conducive for field sports due to the rock outcrops and uneveness. However, my dog doesn't mind.  There is not much of interest here for the average park goer.  Naturalists might enjoy a quick jaunt to learn what lies beneath.  If you take a walk along the interior paths, take a peek in the bushes at the edge to get a glimpse of a couple solution cavities and enlarged fractures typical of the karst terrain on the Edwards Plateau and a closed depression close to the swing set along the Big Trail street frontage.  Reports allude to the presence of a cave within the park, but according to the City's biologist, it was either filled in or erroneously recorded.  Long-time residents say the swing set now sits on top of the old opening.  Their kids went in it years ago.  There is also a geocahce hidden at the park interior.