Austin Sierra Club Outings

The Shoal Creek Trail is the oldest trail in Austin (built in the early 1960's) and a truly wonderful "downtown" trail. We'll be walking the entire trail, out and back, for a total of about 8 miles. It is mostly hard-surfaced or crushed granite with a few sections of packed dirt. The walking pace will be brisk. For those who are interested, there will be an option to walk just the northern half of the trail, out and back, for a total of 4 miles.

The trail follows Shoal Creek as it winds from 38th Street to Lady Bird Lake, passing through Pease Park. North of Pease Park the trail features a small rock canyon and many mature oak and pecan trees. South of Pease Park it is much more of an urban trail giving a really unique creek-side view of the area by the Jenga building and main library. We can do a downtown crane count and see the latest changes to the Austin skyline!
We'll meet at the trail by the 24th Street overpass, then walk the northern half of the trail up to 38th Street and return. That's the end of the 4-mile outing. For the 8-mile outing, we'll then walk the southern half of the trail to Lady Bird Lake and return.

There is ample street parking along Parkway on the west side of Pease Park.

Please bring plenty of water.

No pets please.

Info on the trail from the City of Austin:

We will hike at least 3 miles at a brisk pace on rugged terrain. Some sections won't have shade, many are very rocky; plan accordingly.
The endangered golden-cheecked warblers mates and nests on this preserve and with some luck we may view one or any of the other native wildlife that lurks about.

The Sierra Club is not allowed to organize carpools but we highly recommend doing so. Many folks will rendez-vous at the Y in Oak Hill, Central Market on North Lamar, and REI Gateway. If you wish to drive or ride in a carpool, please leave a comment on the meetup page.
I can meet folks at the Walgreens at 1505 w. Whitestone Blvd in Cedar Park.

https://www.fws.gov/refuge/balcones-canyonlands/visit-us

This trail is located on the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve so No pets are allowed, well behaved kids are welcome. Bring water and hiking boots. Hats are recommended.

Afterwards, we can get a bite to eat in nearby Jonestown such as the Lucky Rabbit.

*** RSVP ON MEETUP ALONE DOES NOT RESERVE A SPOT ON THE TRIP***

Join us for a week long Service Project at Brazos Bend State Park. Only 43 miles from downtown Houston, its coastal prairie wetlands are one of North America's most threatened ecosystems. This park protects a significant chunk of what's left.

This 5,000-acre park sits along the winding Brazos River in the coastal prairie region. Unlike the rugged Hill Country, Brazos Bend is flat, lush, and teeming with water. The park features moss-draped live oaks, shallow lakes and sloughs, and wetlands that create a haven for an incredible diversity of wildlife.

Brazos Bend is famous for its American alligators - and you WILL see them. They sun themselves on trails, glide through the water, and are so common that the park has "alligator etiquette" signs everywhere. Don't worry - they're generally docile if you keep a respectful distance (at least 30 feet).

Also, you can tell people you did manual labor while dodging alligators, which is arguably more interesting than most service project stories.

From the Park Superintendent: We have a new tract of land that was donated a few years ago, and we’re in the process of habitat restoration, and we have a lot of work to do.
There’s a lot of yaupon holly that we’ll be clearing away from trees, so cutting and lopping will likely be the primary task… which, I’ll plan for a few staff to be out with he group and provide direction, cover safety topics, and weather updates each day before the work begins.

Participants are responsible for their own transportation, camping equipment, and breakfasts and lunches.

Under our system for evening meals, you and partners will be responsible for feeding the entire group one evening. This includes bringing and preparing the food, Dish Patrol and washing said pots and pans.

To sign up:

*** RSVP ON MEETUP ALONE DOES NOT RESERVE A SPOT ON THE TRIP***

Join us for a week of meaningful trail service in Palo Duro Canyon State Park, one of the most spectacular landscapes in Texas.
Often described as the second largest canyon in the U.S., Palo Duro stretches more than 120 miles across the Panhandle. That claim depends on how “largest” is defined — for instance, Idaho’s Hells Canyon is deeper — but Palo Duro’s vivid red cliffs and sculpted rock layers make it an unforgettable place to work and explore.

We’ll camp in the Wolfberry Group Area, which has 7 pedestals with water spigots and 30/50-amp outlets, plus plenty of space for tents and a few RVs. Wolfberry is about 5½ miles inside the park, near the Mesquite and Hackberry camp areas.

April usually brings warm days and cool, comfortable evenings.

Our team will assist the park with trail maintenance and erosion control projects. We’re especially skilled with McLeods and Pulaskis and would be delighted to collaborate with another group on shared work.
Expect rewarding, hands-on fieldwork, good company, and time to enjoy the canyon’s trails and starry nights.

Participants are responsible for their own transportation, camping equipment, and breakfasts and lunches. Of course, your park admission will be comped.

We keep evening duty simple: every team cooks one night only — enjoy the other nights free. The chosen team brings and prepares dinner, runs dish patrol, and washes the cooking pots and pans.

The team that cooks, let's say, Tuesday night also washes the dishes used for Tuesday morning’s pancake-and-egg breakfast. That’s it — one dinner, one breakfast-morning cleanup, and then you’re off the hook.

To sign up: