Austin urban trails, two creeks, one lake

I had a free Saturday in Austin, Texas, and had been looking forward to a spot of trail running today. The morning weather was more gentle than forecast, cooler than expected at only about 11C, and a little drizzle in the air, which was good.

I set off from the head of the Shoal Creek trail around 11am. I am a little dissapointed that the "trail" here is in fact paved - I guess I have some to learn some about urban trails here. I am heading along this trail toward Town Lake. Oh, yeah, the camera seems to be in fish-eye mode, don't know how that happened, anwyay this is fixed soon.

Shoal Creek trailhead

The paving soon gives way to a short section of rougher ground, a creek crossing, and some delightful sights for a happy runner.

Some rough ground - yahoo!

Creek crossing

Delicious running ....

... with views down the creek.

The trail passes through an urban park where I see the downtown skyscrapers through mist, another creek crossing and soon I am at the Town Lake trail. There are lots of runners on this trail, all ages, all abilities, dogs optional, kids optional - it's just wonderful. Somehow I am unable to capture the atmosphere with the camera.

Downtown skyscapers through the mist

Creek crossing

Shoal Creek trail end at Town Lake trail

The trail alas has been mixed-terrain, some dirt, some rock, some gravel, but too much paved. I am hoping for less of the paved underfoot from here. I have a couple of miles on gravel (seems to be called "burnt cinder" here ... beats me) and I reach the river crossing at Mopac. There is a pedestrian bridge underneath the road bridge.

View from Mopac footbridge, and ...

.... along the Mopac footbridge.

Crossing Town Lake here I make left along the trail with more views of Austin downtown. I head through through Zilker Park, and then toward Barton Creek, where I will find better trails - I mean, rougher ground.

View of Austin downtown

Dog swimming in Barton Creek

The trails are getting better, as in, no pavement, no gravel, just dirt.

I soon have great views of the creek, mostly dry, but with some water, and colourful cliffs. The water must flow fast and hard here in the rainy season.

Pools of water in the dry creek ...

... and beautiful cliffs.

Now the path becomes rocky, very rough, and challenges my concentration and proprioception.The effort is rewarded with wonderful views of the cliffs around the creek and the dry creek bed. There is a drought here at the moment, in January!

Rough running!

The dry creek ...

... with views of cliffs on the other side ...

... and more dry creek.

I reach the mile two marker, I had planned to turn here, but this has been the best running today so I decide to continue a few minutes further, before I have to back-track to Town Lake. Passing the mile two marker again I am struck with the pleasant appearance of the trail. Soon I return to the dog-swimming place, where I observe some avian and reptilian/amphibian wildlife.

Two mile marker ...

.. and on return the beauty of the trail.

White bird (heron?) and pile of stones

Amphibian or reptilian? Terrapin?

I return to the Town Lake trails and continue left in the anti-clockwise direction. Lovely views of the bridges through the trees, and then Congress bridge, where I will cross the lake.

Bridges through the trees ...

... approaching Congress bridge ...

... and crossing Congress Bridge ...

.... with view over Town Lake.

I am nearly done now, it has been a long run, After crossing Congress Bridge I make a right down steps behind the Radisson, then another right back on the burnt cinder to continue anti-clockwise. I soon approach a pretty little footbridge which crosses the end of Shoal Creek. I will continue along Town Lake to the trail junction at the end of the Shoal Creek trail.

Footbridge at the end of  Shoal Creek.

I am done for today, just under 16 miles, around about 2000 feet  climbed, a good sweat, about two and three quarter hours or so of running and snapping. I am done, and I am tired, walking back to Congress I see another white bird (heron?) which blesses me with the sight of flight.

The white heron(?) ,,,

... rewards us with flight.

I was so impressed by the numbers of runners on the Town Lake trail, but I had not expected to find that even the statues are running! I am inspired by this place, this is a running place, this is a wonderful place.

Statue running!

Enjoy!