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:

*** 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: