Bicycle Austin forum

AusTexMurf

Member

From: South Austin

Registered: 2008-11-21

Posts: 439

Southern Walnut Creek Trail System

May be old news for many of us but this is a very high quality Urban Trail and bicycle facility in COA.

Southern Walnut Creek Trail Sytem. Can connect to to the Mopac Trail currently being built by the Regional Turnpike Authority.or head through Manor pointing to Houston on Old State Route 20. Eventually it will also connect to the Northern Walnut Creek Trail System, shown here : https://austintexas.gov/sites/default/f … L_PH2_.pdf

Photo gallery, here : https://www.flickr.com//photos/69651241 … 09470/show

Encompassing more than 7.3 miles of multi-use trail running by trees, flatland, soft hills and water, Southern Walnut Creek Trail consists of 10-foot wide concrete paths designed to accommodate a variety of users.  This beautiful nature-filled trail extends from Govalle Park to the Walnut Creek Sports Park at Johnny Morris Road and Daffan Lane and includes 5 bridges, culverts, signs and benches offering a breath-taking view at every turn.

The Southern Walnut Creek Trail is a portion of the planned Walnut Creek regional trail system that the Austin Parks and Recreation Department began working towards two decades ago.  The trail provides connections to multiple neighborhoods including, Govalle Park, The YMCA at Hwyt 183, Davis White Park, Walnut Creek Greenbelt, The Austin Tennis Center at the Walnut Creek Sports Park and phase I of the Austin to Manor trail system.

The future of Walnut Creek regional trail will be a major east Austin connection to other planned regional trail systems including the Colorado River and Onion Creek Trails and will connect in the future to the Northern Walnut Creek Trail that will begin at Balcones Park and connect to the Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park...

Map, here:
http://www.austintexas.gov/sites/defaul … essed_.pdf

COA page, here:

https://austintexas.gov/department/sout … reek-trail
https://austintexas.gov/page/walnut-creek-trail-system

Another photo, here:
https://www.flickr.com//photos/69651241 … 9470/show/

Last edited by AusTexMurf (2016-10-25 04:12:24)

Donald Lewis

Member

Registered: 2009-07-11

Posts: 184

Re: Southern Walnut Creek Trail System

"Encompassing more than 7.3 miles of multi-use trail....."
I think that "7.3" miles is out of date.  Its almost 11 now one way.
I have one one of a more than a few organized rides on this trail:  https://www.meetup.com/Austin-Cycling-M … 234623313/

The rides are quite popular.

More power to those who have the strength to do this, of course!  But it is a little amusing to see folks on MTBs with knobby tires damn near 4" wide riding on this almost virgin concrete!  I can hear them a mile away!  But again, more power to them!

Come join us Saturday!

Don

   

Don

AusTexMurf

Member

From: South Austin

Registered: 2008-11-21

Posts: 439

Re: Southern Walnut Creek Trail System

Don,
Agreed that the trail is about 11 miles complete now.
Thanks for leading the rides from your shop in south austin up the SWCT. Wife and I have both/each wanted to ride with your group bringing others, as many folks in South Austin have not ridden the trail or even know it is out there. I have been riding it before it was opened or even complete. We connected through the incomplete portions. I now regularly use the SWTC for commuting and connecting to our NE. It is my preferred route to get NE of 183/71 interchange to MLK, Loyola, Travis County Expo, and beyond. I regularly ride the trail to get up to the Travis County Agriculture Extension Office and Travis County complex on Blue Bluff Rd. It is very useful and of very high quality. Thanks again for leading groups by bike across our city and for a lap of what I consider to be the current best bicycle facility/Urban Trail in COA.

By the way, I have ridden this trail from south austin on my main heavy duty commuter/touring rig, my steel CX touring rig, my old Univega road bike, my old steel Bridgestone mtn bike, and our Triple Tandem Family Traveler 20" wheel Bike Friday, Wife and I have made the run from SA and lap on trail pulling one kiddo each on Adams TrailABike tag alongs behind steel rigid mtn bikes a couple of different times. Ours are set up for multi-surface commuting. It is odd to see the people on fat bikes riding the glassy smooth concrete trail, though. I have also seen cargo bikes and even one bakfiets on the trail. Multiple 'bents.

Edited to Add:
Don,
I posted your ride on Bicycle Austin Rides and Events and Nextdoor South Austin Neighborhoods. Hope you don't mind.
Thanks,
L

Last edited by AusTexMurf (2016-10-26 03:59:11)

Donald Lewis

Member

Registered: 2009-07-11

Posts: 184

Re: Southern Walnut Creek Trail System

Don,
Agreed that the trail is about 11 miles complete now.
Thanks for leading the rides from your shop in south austin up the SWCT. Wife and I have both/each wanted to ride with your group bringing others, as many folks in South Austin have not ridden the trail or even know it is out there. I have been riding it before it was opened or even complete. We connected through the incomplete portions. I now regularly use the SWTC for commuting and connecting to our NE. It is my preferred route to get NE of 183/71 interchange to MLK, Loyola, Travis County Expo, and beyond. I regularly ride the trail to get up to the Travis County Agriculture Extension Office and Travis County complex on Blue Bluff Rd. It is very useful and of very high quality. Thanks again for leading groups by bike across our city and for a lap of what I consider to be the current best bicycle facility/Urban Trail in COA.

By the way, I have ridden this trail from south austin on my main heavy duty commuter/touring rig, my steel CX touring rig, my old Univega road bike, my old steel Bridgestone mtn bike, and our Triple Tandem Family Traveler 20" wheel Bike Friday, Wife and I have made the run from SA and lap on trail pulling one kiddo each on Adams TrailABike tag alongs behind steel rigid mtn bikes a couple of different times. Ours are set up for multi-surface commuting. It is odd to see the people on fat bikes riding the glassy smooth concrete trail, though. I have also seen cargo bikes and even one bakfiets on the trail. Multiple 'bents.

Edited to Add:
Don,
I posted your ride on Bicycle Austin Rides and Events and Nextdoor South Austin Neighborhoods. Hope you don't mind.
Thanks,
L

I certainly do NOT mind!  The more the better.  Hope to see you out there one of these days.

Don