So great! For accuracy's sake, I think what I actually did was more north than south, but the trail marked in my handy guidebook wasn't exactly easy to follow in practice, so we just went with it and improved a bit. We started at the trailhead on Barton Hills Drive (so so sorry if this is another trail altogether) and after making it past a swimming hole, the trail became less and less distinct and more and more amorphous. But no prob, we just kept going alongside the creekbed, moving over boulders, around trees and alongside some really gorgeous cliffs, at one point finding some little springs seeping through the rock and down to the creekbed. We also saw small caves and at one point found a little climbing rope bolted into a 10 foot high rock shelf we were able to scoot up. After the "trail" alongside the creekbed got a little too difficult and steep (I stupidly neglected to bring a pack and was just carrying a water bottle so scrambling got hard) we moved down into the creekbed proper and just moved around muddy or shallow areas of the creek. It was insanely beautiful, all I can say. If you go down to the creekbed like I did, just be aware of all the loose rocks. And obviously, trail marking is nil. I think I saw two the entire time I was in the park. Also, there are lots of people around on a sunny Sunday, and sadly lots of litter. But I loved this hike and my buddy and I already agreed to return soon.

Entered Barton Creek near the Barton Creek Skyway acess. Nice hike but there were alot of teenagers around and they had started a small fire... just a little odd.

We hiked this area from the North. The bridge you refer to is at N 30° 14.535 W 097° 47.372. There is a cache there now called BridgeToTerabithia, although it had been muggled when we were there. (Just the bottom of the container and the log book left.) The bridge is really cool though, and the view is really great.

Its true, you might stunble upon a hobo camp on trail, but they are usually pan handling during the day.

Again, I set out on an early Sunday morning, to ensure the most serenity I could afford. I encounter a total of 7 people during the 3.5 hours I spent on this trail, and onyl 2 dogs and 1 bike.

The path does continue on past the first water crossing, which takes you down the bank about 150 yards past the triple-falls which affords a nice view of the falls behind you, and the serene creek streching out before you.

At the first ford of the creek, the water was only about knee deep in the deepest spot. However, at the "Water Falls" ford (at the Gus Fruh access marker on the trail) the shallow spots took me to near waist deep water. I'm 6' tall, so make that about 3' of water. There is also a strong current at this point, so best watch your footing.

I travelled up the trail towards the Gus Fruh access from this point, until I could hear cars, then turned back around. There was a nice rock outcropping to sit on and view the creek below you, but I found the nicest place to sit was actually the log bench right at the creek-side. From here you could hear the fall of the water, and under a tree, was nicely shaded.

My assesment of the hike difficulty is based on the water crossings (and current) and the general condition of some parts of the trail. There are very rocky parts where a twisted ankle is likely if you aren't careful, and some very steep inclines (especially on the impromptu trail that strecthes past the first ford).