Return to Wild Basin

One of my favorite Austin hikes
User: plectrudis - 11/27/2019  [View Log Page]
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 3stars Solitude: 4stars
Distance: 1.70 Miles Duration: N/A

Pretty Hill Country scenery, nice views across the valleys, pretty creeks and a very nice waterfall.  The biggest drawback is that you park at the top of the hill, hike to the bottom, and then schlepp your way back up on the way back.  Worth it, though.

wildflowers disappearing , and getting dry
User: jimmy peace - 4/4/2019  [View Log Page]
Rating: 3stars Difficulty: 2point5stars Solitude: 3stars
Distance: 2.00 Miles Duration: N/A

creek barely flowing 

User: arjun2015 - 10/3/2015  [View Log Page]
Rating: 3stars Difficulty: 2point5stars Solitude: 2stars
Distance: 2.50 Miles Duration: N/A
User: jimmy peace - 2/22/2015  [View Log Page]
Rating: 3point5stars Difficulty: 2point5stars Solitude: 3stars
Distance: 2.50 Miles Duration: N/A
Awesome hike!
User: mgialusis - 1/26/2014  [View Log Page]
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 3stars Solitude: 3stars
Distance: 2.00 Miles Duration: N/A

Beautiful trail; multiple paths; some steep inclines & declines; lots of shady trail; pretty but small waterfall; nice flowing creek to cross over a few times.  Just remember that since you're going downhill on your departure, you must hike uphill on your return.

CHANGES
User: texaskdog - 9/26/2011  [View Log Page]
Rating: 3stars Difficulty: 3point5stars Solitude: 3stars
Distance: 2.00 Miles Duration: 50 minutes

"Madrones" trail is now "Yaupon".  There is a "Ledge" trail not on the map (connects two main trails below Laurel) and "Woodland" which may be a new trail that goes up the middle.  Part of "Creek" Trail has now been moved.  You have to follow up Woodland, and then a ways up, take a right, go by a new "overlook" and then back down to where the original trail crosses the creek.  They are apparently trying to restore that part of the (now waterless) creek.  I'm still upset with them for not putting "exit" signs down there as my GF was lost down there for hours.  Yeah they have maps near the bldg but if you dont take one, youre pretty much screwed as youre lucky to ever see anyone out there (though that does make it a bit more appealling).  This is very much a down, down, down hike til you get to the creek then its a way up and a way down on Yaupon.  coming back of course is UP UP UP so be ready!  Nice park though.

User: Riff Raff - 6/2/2011  [View Log Page]
Rating: 3point5stars Difficulty: 3stars Solitude: 2stars
Distance: 2.00 Miles Duration: 1 hour, 15 minutes

HCO group, doing the outer loop.

User: crocodile235 - 6/1/2011  [View Log Page]
Rating: 3point5stars Difficulty: 3stars Solitude: 3stars
Distance: 2.50 Miles Duration: N/A
User: rastacane - 4/17/2011  [View Log Page]
Rating: 3point5stars Difficulty: 2point5stars Solitude: 3stars
Distance: 3.00 Miles Duration: N/A
Nice hike, will definitely go back
User: jtkatie - 7/3/2010  [View Log Page]
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 3stars Solitude: 3stars
Distance: 2.70 Miles Duration: 1 hour, 38 minutes

Pretty-well maintained and not crowded. Ran across two other groups - both at the waterfalls. The road noise is noticeable often, but not bothersome (just kinda takes away from the solitude).

You have to re-do some areas if you want to successfully hike every section of all of the trail. We were rolling, so we managed to hit every segment.

Beautiful Hike
User: rpmcgill - 6/5/2010  [View Log Page]
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 2stars Solitude: 4stars
Distance: 2.00 Miles Duration: N/A
Nice short hike - I took the kids (5 and 2) and they had no problems. The noise from 360 was a little distracting at points, but overall we only saw three other folks out - on a Saturday. We also saw deer and some prairie race-runners.
Nice hike
User: texaskdog - 2/23/2010  [View Log Page]
Rating: 3stars Difficulty: 2stars Solitude: 3stars
Distance: 3.00 Miles Duration: 45 minutes

Kind of short.  Good variety though.  Creek, large waterfall, lots of trees, scenic view. 

Great Hike nearby
User: Daniel N - 2/21/2010  [View Log Page]
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 2stars Solitude: 2stars
Distance: 3.00 Miles Duration: N/A

This is a great little hike and perfect for the family. The waterfall and creek are right in the middle of the loop and provide a nice place to rest and relax. We went on a beautiful Sunday and the crowd seemed to build as the afternoon wore on, but it was by no means crowded. One downside is that you can hear the traffic from 360.

User: sharris27 - 8/12/2009  [View Log Page]
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 2stars Solitude: 5stars
Distance: 3.00 Miles Duration: 35 minutes
User: sharris27 - 8/11/2009  [View Log Page]
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 3stars Solitude: 4stars
Distance: 3.50 Miles Duration: 50 minutes
User: sharris27 - 8/2/2009  [View Log Page]
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 3stars Solitude: 3stars
Distance: 3.00 Miles Duration: 45 minutes
Overall nice hike
User: txdragon2008 - 7/10/2009  [View Log Page]
Rating: 3stars Difficulty: 3stars Solitude: 4stars
Distance: 1.50 Miles Duration: 2 hours
Nice small trail with some minor constrution being done. Don't do what I did by going at top of the day, temp reached about 110. Cost is now 3.00 instead of 2.00
User: mrose821 - 5/17/2009  [View Log Page]
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 2stars Solitude: 4stars
Distance: 1.25 Miles Duration: 2 hours, 10 minutes
Went with 8 people for a Hike with 2 Creative time outs. Weather was super . . . cool after Saturday rain storm. Water in creek with water falls running.
MUCH better the second time around....
User: Eat Your Veggies - 12/20/2008  [View Log Page]
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 2stars Solitude: 5stars
Distance: 2.50 Miles Duration: N/A

I don't know if it was the fact that we did this hike at 7:00 a.m., or that it was cold (love it!!) and we had the place to ourselves, but we loved this hike.  The first time was loud (360 traffic), this time it was stunningly quiet - recommend that you do this hike in the peace and quiet of the early morning, on a weekend.   Sorry it took us five years to come back.

For our first hike ever it was nice.
User: angie0318 - 12/7/2008  [View Log Page]
Rating: 3stars Difficulty: 2stars Solitude: 2stars
Distance: 2.20 Miles Duration: 1 hour
User: tyan - 7/20/2008  [View Log Page]
Rating: 3stars Difficulty: 1star Solitude: 4stars
Distance: 1.50 Miles Duration: 30 minutes
Madrone Trail Loop
User: Riff Raff - 7/20/2008  [View Log Page]
Rating: 3stars Difficulty: 3stars Solitude: 2stars
Distance: 2.00 Miles Duration: 1 hour, 40 minutes

Took the outer Madrone Trail loop. With the current drought, not only was the waterfall not flowing but the creek crossings were almost completely stagnant water as well.  Lovely area as always though, despite the periodic views of the rich people homes and 360.

Nice hike with some good views.
User: jjnipp769 - 5/7/2008  [View Log Page]
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 2stars Solitude: 2stars
Distance: 2.00 Miles Duration: 50 minutes

Visited one evening while in Austin for business. Enjoyed the hike. Some fantastic views of the suburbs below. Really enjoyed a moment of solitude at the creek falls. However the noise from the highway filters throughout much of the park. Enjoyable nevertheless.

User: Amh731 - 3/30/2008  [View Log Page]
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 2stars Solitude: 1star
Distance: 3.00 Miles Duration: 45 minutes

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