St. Edwards Park - Hill Trail Log Entries

Return to St. Edwards Park - Hill Trail

User: jtkatie - 6/19/2010 [View Log Page]
Rating:

AWESOME! No foolin
User: texaskdog - 4/1/2010 [View Log Page]
Rating:

Start with a water crossing, head up to beautiful views, head up and up and up to the refuge, which you can actually go in here unlike at Trailhead Park or Old Lampasas (thought you need a permit March-June so we couldn't go in but there is a number you can call for one, and I think it hooks up with Jester Mountain). We tried to come down the other way but didn't realize we were on the road and not the path so watch for the turnoff. Lots of side trails too. Great workout!

a hike that goes uphill!
User: klyevans - 12/19/2008 [View Log Page]
Rating:

Most of the hiking that I've found in the Austin Metro area is pretty flat so I was thrilled when I got on this trail and it actually climbed a hill. The first time we went, we followed the Creek Trail for a while, then crossed over and climbed up the steep bank to meet the Hill Trail towards the top. The next time, I followed the directions provided here and it was a less challenging climb, but still got my heart pumping. My dog loves hiking on both sides of the creek, but we both like the Hill Trail better because it's shady and quiet. I'll definitely go back!

User: sharris27 - 10/11/2008 [View Log Page]
Rating:

Nice!
User: jmm482 - 4/20/2008 [View Log Page]
Rating:

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!

Fantastic hiking
User: rhouston0405 - 1/17/2008 [View Log Page]
Rating:

The trail that goes along the cliff is a very enjoyable hike. I came in today looking for geocaches, but ended up not finding as many as I expected because I was just enjoying wandering the trails.

User: graham - 5/26/2007 [View Log Page]
Rating:

Poked along the creek before following the hill trail. Nice sighting of three night herons (I believe) above the dam. Saw a couple of dogs at the trailhead but had the trail to ourselves. "Crossed" the creek by road.

Austins Beautiful Hidden Jewel
User: silvershark1998 - 4/26/2007 [View Log Page]
Rating:

We decided to broaden our horizins and step it up a notch. So we ascended to the to summit and sure was rough and definately a workout. Saw several mountain bikers along.

Good day out geocaching in great weather, finally!
User: Austin Explorer - 3/12/2005 [View Log Page]
Rating:

Spent the day finding 5 geocaches in the park and hiking all over in the process. Found some trails that aren't on our map, so I'll have to come back and map them properly later.

good climbing and lots of side trails
User: manwithdog - 1/21/2005 [View Log Page]
Rating: N/A

Went out sans dog (she's too old to go up and down the slopes on this trail). Not really sure how far I hiked - kept straying off the "official" route to see where this path or that trail led. A roadrunner was hunkered down in the brush near the parking lot watching me watch him. Met up with a trio of grinning mountain bikers at the top (and heard them whooping during their descent). Will have to come back another time and walk around the preserve a bit.

User: brian724 - 11/27/2004 [View Log Page]
Rating:

Lots of fun, hill climb, great views
User: figment - 5/3/2004 [View Log Page]
Rating: N/A

If you go up the hill trail and take the first set of trails off to your right, you will come out on a nice ledge overlooking Bull Creek with an amazing view!

Great hike, great scenery and wildlife
User: TheGooch - 4/17/2004 [View Log Page]
Rating: N/A

Took this one with my wife and a good friend. I think we saw 5 other people actually once we got on the trails. We did the loop and several side trails combining in some of the creek trail to show my wife some waterfalls. We took off into the woods on a side journey as well. We saw a family of armadillos as we were finishing our walk. This was a very nice day.

Maze of Trails
User: Riff Raff - 4/16/2004 [View Log Page]
Rating: N/A

There are more trails in this area that I could have imagined. No matter what direction I was going, it seemed there were always at least two parallel trails going in a similar direction. I considered it a personal victory that I was able to hike around the hill in a big loop without having to backtrack. It''ll take me several visits to be remotely sure of where I''m going on these trails. The initial crossing of bull creek was rather precarious as well. There was the theoretical "dry" crossing on rocks but half of them were submerged when I was there. There was also a dam upstream a bit that looked like it was also used as a crossing. I ended up trying both and came to the conclusion that the best idea for personal safety was just stomping through the water and not worrying about the "crossings". At any rate, this is a nice area I''ll have to explore in more detail later.

User: Blizzard - 4/10/2004 [View Log Page]
Rating: N/A

Early morning hike, no one around for hours.

User: bellmada - 2/16/2004 [View Log Page]
Rating: N/A

User: aeoneal@cbs.com - 12/7/2003 [View Log Page]
Rating: N/A

Had a great time and the views were fantastic! Hiked with my 9 month son in a backpack, could have used a hiking stick.

I really liked this one..will be back to finish it
User: HikerGirl - 6/28/2003 [View Log Page]
Rating: N/A

Have been looking forward to this one and was well rewarded today! It was bigger than I originally thought and followed some other trails after doing the main one as portrayed on the above map. It was very secluded but I did come across about 8 people throughout the 2 hour hike. Saw some swimmers on the other end of the park that isn't on the map...they were having too much fun to notice me! I will definitely be back to finish and see more of this place...very well worth it!

Short, but somewhat challenging
User: Austin Explorer - 9/25/2002 [View Log Page]
Rating:

Although only a couple of miles in length and only about 300 feet of climbing, the climbing seems to come in waves instead of in minor dips and peaks along the way. So by the time you get to the top you may be a little short of breath. The best part of the hike are the views overlooking the rest of the park along Bull Creek. Those could be enjoyed without making the trip to the top.