Snowden Open House

Travis County Natural Resources invites you to join us for an Open House!
This event will take place at our Snowden House on the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve (BCP). We are offering self-guided hiking on our Bunten Loop and Collins Trail from 8:00am to 12:00pm. All hikers must be on trail by noon; no hikers will be permitted to enter after this cut off time to ensure hikers are off trail by 1:00pm.

Please note that no pets are allowed on the preserve.

We will also have crafting and nature journaling available! This event is family friendly and great for all ages.

Leave No Trace:
The BCP is home to many species which are listed as endangered or threatened. Remember to be respectful of wildlife - observe wildlife from a distance and do not follow or approach them. Never feed the wildlife as this damages their health, alters natural behaviors, and exposes them to predators and other dangers. Please remember to pack out any trash and dispose of waste properly. This includes food scraps (such as orange or banana peels) which can make wildlife sick.

Additionally, the items we find in nature have a role to play, either in the ecosystem or the story of the landscape. Leaving what we find in place helps to preserve both. Allow others a sense of discovery by leaving rocks, plants, archaeological artifacts, and other objects of interest as you find them.

Be sure to hike only on the trail. Staying on trail allows you to move through natural areas while avoiding damage to the land, foliage, or waterways. Understanding how travel causes impacts is necessary to accomplish this goal. Damage occurs when surface vegetation or communities of organisms are trampled beyond recovery.
Learn more at 7 Principles - Leave No Trace

Trail Descriptions:
Trail maps will be available at the Snowden House on the day of the event

Bunten Loop:
Starts at the Snowden house and follows a trail that winds its way through open fields, creek beds, hilltops, and forests. The terrain is easy-moderately difficult, with a couple of semi-steep hills and some uneven ground. The trail is about 1.5 miles.

Collins Trail:
This challenging trek also starts at our Snowden House, taking you up steep terrain before wandering through gorgeous Golden-Cheeked Warbler habitat and back down into creek beds - and up and down again! Please note that this hike has some strenuous inclines – hiking poles are encouraged. This trail is about 2.5 miles.

Directions:
The entrance also can be hard to see when you're driving. It's on the south/east side of FM 2769 just north of Abbotsbury Drive at the bottom of a steep hill, just before the guardrail begins. Look for the white sandwich board "BCP Event" sign at the entrance. If you've not been there before, the house can be a bit tricky to find, we recommend searching for "Snowden Tract, Travis County BCP" in Google Maps, or click on this hyperlink - it should take you right to the entrance. We do not recommend searching for 13043 FM 2769 in Google Maps – even though that is the address, it will take you to the wrong place up the road.