Milton Reimers Ranch

Trail
N/A
N/A
$10.00
4stars (4.15)13
3stars (3.42)
3point5stars (3.69)
N/A
Yes
Yes
N/A
Travis
More Info
Photos
Tiny creek
One of several tiny creeks that crossed the primitive trail (or whatever we were on) before cascading down the bluff. (Photo by plectrudis)
Ravine with creek
The creek is that remarkably narrow and defined little channel cut through the middle of the ravine floor. It gets much deeper and wider as you approach the river. (Photo by plectrudis)
Pedernales River with random cairn
Someone had fun building scads of these cairns along the river's beach (Photo by plectrudis)
Trail View
The trail on the north side follows the base of the rock face, occasionally darting between large boulders that have calved off of face. (Photo by Austin Explorer)
Step Up to the North
The northern river side trail is more tree-covered and a bit farther from the river. It's also less crowded and rockier. All-in-all a good thing. (Photo by Austin Explorer)
Rock Pile
The southern half of the Upper River Trail still has some obstacles in your way now and then. (Photo by Austin Explorer)
Upper Riverside Trail
The trail along the Pedernales River. The Upper Riverside Trail on the southern half of the park tends to be a bit more open and level, compared to other side. (Photo by Austin Explorer)
Buzzards Stand Guard
(Photo by BANDA)
Looking down from the bluff.
(Photo by BANDA)
River close-up.
(Photo by BANDA)
Entrance to canyon.
(Photo by BANDA)
Creek in the canyon.
(Photo by BANDA)

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Log Entries
Really beautiful views, trails a bit mixed
By plectrudis on 1/18/2016
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 3stars Solitude: 3point5stars
Distance: 5.50 Miles Duration: N/A

We hiked Milton Reimers Ranch for the first time today, and it really stands out compared to more run-of-the-mill hill country trails. The trail started along a narrow, deep ravine lined with maidenhair ferns--very dramatic and romantic.  The flora is very arid--most of the plants here bite, from agarita to tasajillo to the copious prickly pear cactus.  Even the live oaks here (Quercus fusiformis) have prickly leaves. When the trail reaches the bluff above the Pedernales, you get a really stunning view of a bend in the river, which had plenty of water for a change and was an arresting aqua-green.  There are tumbled piles of boulders, small gushing streamlets, skeletons of dead trees, and plentiful river views.

The main(?) trail had lots of nice interpretive signage about local wildlife and natural history, and a crushed granite surface.  But we only ever saw one trail marker, which didn't actually correlate to anything on our map, and although we were trying to follow the "primitive" trail, it kept disappearing and merging with the main trail. You can't get really lost, though, as all the trails are roughly parallel, between the river and the park road.

As a side note, the trail(s) touch lots of different access points, all with restrooms and picnic tables.  This has to be the best trail in Austin for people with bladder issues.  Or people who like to picnic a lot.  There were lots of benches, too.  Other than the fact that our trail kept petering out, it is a really remarkably hospitable park.

On a mild and brilliantly blue January day, we saw about 3 other groups of people, mostly rock climbers.  Plenty of solitude, picnic tables notwithstanding.  Will definitely come back for more hiking and for kayaking (before the river dries up again).

rugged
By jimmy peace on 9/22/2014
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 4stars Solitude: 2point5stars
Distance: 2.30 Miles Duration: N/A

hadnt been here in yrs very rugged 

Hiked Rock climbers, ADA and Upper river trails
By Jack3409 on 4/23/2012
Rating: 3point5stars Difficulty: 3stars Solitude: 4stars
Distance: 4.00 Miles Duration: N/A

All easy hikes. Found some slippery mud on upper river trail the hard way. Was very quiet. Facilities at park not opened fully when I was there

Great hike!!!
By zoa1066 on 11/1/2009
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 3stars Solitude: 3stars
Distance: 2.00 Miles Duration: N/A
Beautiful day and wonderful hike. It was our first visit to the park and we were very pleasantly surprised. Great views along the rim trail. We also walked the base of the cliffs and it was just gorgeous. Quite a few folks climbing and a few fishing but there were definitely places of solitude. We'll be back.
Nice trails, with more to come
By Austin Explorer on 10/25/2009
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 4stars Solitude: 4stars
Distance: 4.54 Miles Duration: 3 hours, 46 minutes

This was my first trip to Reimers, so I was not sure what to expect. I hiked the climbing access trails near the river's edge practically from one end of the park to the other.  There were plenty of people in and around Reimer's Canyon where the more popular climbing routes are located, but few people elsewhere.  The trail downstream from the River Level Parking area though was almost deserted.  I only saw one other person on the trail.  If the park's master plan gets implemented this park will have even more in store for us.

By shbronco13 on 1/21/2009
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 3stars Solitude: 5stars
Distance: 5.00 Miles Duration: 2 minutes
By Austinbat on 12/26/2008
Rating: 5stars Difficulty: 3stars Solitude: 5stars
Distance: 3.00 Miles Duration: 2 hours

We walked down the canyon until we could see the climbing wall.  It was really pretty here, but we couldn't tell if there was a trail that would wind down to the river so we decided to hike the bluff.  A really beautiful hike here though in some areas it was hard to determine where to cross the little ravine.  However, we figured it out and went all the way to the beach which is really nice.  The river is gorgeous and our dogs really liked swimming for a bit.  Great place to hike with dogs as there are several places they can cool off and drink water.  Along the bluff hike there are several interesting geological sites.  We saw some small caves.  Next time, I'd like to hike one of the double diamond trails for the mountain bikers.  The topo map drawn next to the difficulty levels seems to offer really varied ups and downs.  Definitely plan on hiking more here.  If anyone hikes down to the climbing wall, please comment on the trails that go off from there.

By crocodile235 on 6/1/2008
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 3point5stars Solitude: 1point5stars
Distance: 2.00 Miles Duration: N/A
Hiking Trails Not Great
By bspross on 2/8/2008
Rating: 3stars Difficulty: 4stars Solitude: 5stars
Distance: 3.00 Miles Duration: 2 hours

While the Pedernales river was amazing and beautiful especially from the tops of the bluffs, it was difficult to actually follow the trails for hiking.  They look much like deer tracks than trails.  That being said, we didn't pass anyone in a mile or so of hiking which was terrific.

Looking forward to going back
By perk1963 on 1/28/2007
Rating: 5stars Difficulty: 2stars Solitude: 3stars
Distance: 4.00 Miles Duration: 1 hour, 30 minutes
We took the easier paths, from the first parking lot to the river overlook, then down to the river, along the bank, and back again. It was one of the first pretty days of the month so we ran into about a dozen or so people. Didn't have the best shoes on for hiking so we'll be going back with our boots to climb and explore, soon.

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