Excellent peacock viewing, plus there is also a trail
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bowlesfamily - 10/27/2012
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Distance: 1.50 Miles
Duration: 1 hour
We primarily walked this trail as an excuse to check out the peacocks. However, there is more to this trail than just the main house. The trailhead begins at the large house, then branches out to the right and the left of the house.
It's a fairly easy trail with some interesting vistas. If you take the left fork, you also get a good view of the house on the hill, which is interesting.
always great, even in the heat
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barefoot mcgraw - 5/28/2010
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Distance: 2.00 Miles
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i love coming here, but somehow i always manage to come during the hottest part of the day. it doesn't stop the peacocks from squawking and strutting, and it doesn't stop me from doing a full round of all the trails. sometimes i start out thinking "oh i'll just swing down by the lake" and next thing i know i'm climbing up the bluff.
there are easy ways to go if you're with someone who can't scamper much, but there are also some trails that climb up a bit or have slightly slippery creek crossings, so you can have a mini adventure right here in central austin.
unfortunately i do not think this best-kept secret is very secret anymore. i don't begrudge other folks enjoying the observation deck, but i do frown at the increasing litter and empty beer cans.
next time i'll bring a trash bag.
Fun
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texaskdog - 2/21/2010
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Distance: 1.00 Mile
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Lots of trails for such a small area. Make sure to check out the ridge area across the creek. Over a dozen peacocks near the parking lot. Good short hike to do when you visit Mount Bonnell.
Nice and Leisurely
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Veganne - 1/23/2010
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Distance: 1.00 Mile
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There were a lot of people there the day we went, maybe because it was the first nice weekend of the year. The trails around the rocks were fun and a couple of creek crossings made it interesting. Can't wait to see the garden area in the spring or summer.
Noisy, but some good scenery
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claireBGC - 5/20/2009
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Distance: 1.50 Miles
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Trails were easy to follow and pretty. One trail leads up a small bluff at the edge of the property - a nice view of a creek valley and I stopped and had lunch on top of the rock. Saw very few other people on the trails, but I could hear the peacocks (and the kids calling to the peacocks to get a response) throughout the park. Traffic and construction on nearby houses also intruded.
Very easy, a few families, but still charming
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sprucega - 4/28/2007
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Distance: 2.00 Miles
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The trail was very easy, well marked, and delightfully circuitous. The trails crisscross all over the place, so this may not be the best destination if your goal is to cover a lot of distance and new ground. However, it was beautiful and relaxing.
Amazing maze of a trail system
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Austin Explorer - 8/26/2006
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Distance: 1.43 Miles
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Went back to Mayfield to try and map out all of the trail segments and I think I still missed some of them! Be aware that the map of the trails at the park entrance is full of errors, but the park's not that big so just keep going and you'll get your bearings soon enough.
Didn't see anyone else on the trails, but several milled around the garden area.
Hidden gem
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Riff Raff - 6/4/2006
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I have a feeling that most people (including myself, previously) just pass right by the Mayfield Preserve on their way to Mount Bonnell and never really notice it. But it's an absolutely lovely area. You're greeted first thing in the parking lot by a number of peacocks. One of the males was actually in full display of his tail fan, even. Then once you get on the trails it's just a terrific place for meandering. There are lots and lots of trails, so just start walking and don't worry too much about what direction you're going in. The whole park is 22 acres, so you can't get very lost no matter what you do. I was very surprised by where some of the trails went, over ridges and other such that required some scrambling on all fours but were apparently "official" trails with occasional steps and such added in. Great place to just wander around at your leisure. I accidentally ran into the back of Laguna Gloria Art Museum also, while I was out.
fine...
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zhean- - 8/11/2005
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when we entered there, we found roaming peacocks, some were on top of the trees, and fishes in the pond and some vegetations, the hike was not hard at all, and it was short... we stopped by the lake, it's ok... needs work though...
Quaint Park on West Side
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pixistixs - 10/14/2003
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Distance: 0.80 Mile
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Peacocks, coy fish ponds, variety of flower beds. Had my mom's wedding here- $50 for 1 hour. Nice little archway for cerimony. Hike itself is quiet and non descript, but the park is way cool.
Good mellow lunch break trail
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cnudd - 12/13/2002
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Distance: 1.00 Mile
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Mellow and short. Where are the Peacocks?