This week I re-visited a favorite from my summer hiking adventures, the Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve. That I enjoyed this hike even in the height of our recent mid-July drought says a lot about how enjoyable Wild Basin is! However, visiting in the fall, with cooler temperatures and an active creek and waterfall, was the best way to see this little slice of wilderness preserve just off of Capital of Texas Highway. I won’t recap the history of how this property came to be preserved–that’s available to read on the organization’s website–but suffice it to say that I’m so glad its founders believed in the importance of keeping Wild Basin wild; it is truly a treasure and I am always happy to deposit my $3 entrance fee in their collection box.

Getting there? You’ll take either 2222 (if you’re coming from North Austin) to Capital of Texas/360 South, or 2244/Bee Cave Road (if you’re coming from South Austin) to Capital of Texas/360 North. Regardless, once you get on Capital of Texas, the preserve is located to the east of 360, at 805 N. Capital of Texas Highway. (map)

When did we go? On a Saturday morning, around 10 AM. Moderate to cool temps, overcast when we started out and sunny on the return trip.

Pros: Recent rains made the falls and creek gorgeous! There are over 3 miles of trail, from the quick and simple trek to the falls (less than a mile) to the more moderate Madrone and Triknee trails (up to 3+ miles and some climbing.) Easy to drive to and pretty easy to find.  More accessible than some other trails. Experienced hikers can get a fairly good workout quickly–we were back at the car in about an hour and twenty minutes, having hiked a little over 3 miles. The trails appear well-maintained.

Cons: Some traffic noise at certain points in the trail, can be buggy during drought season if the water is stagnant. Don’t expect solitude, particularly during cooler weather months. The parking lot was fairly full and we encountered several groups, including a girl scout troop on a nature hike. No pets allowed–which could be a “pro” for some hikers. Watch out for slippery rocks and mud around the creek area, as I learned the hard way!

Summary: Wild Basin is definitely a favorite, and one which I plan to return to many times. A go-to hike for me because of its location and topography–quick to get to, quick to hike but still feels like a workout at some points. A great place to take out of town guests for a surefire enjoyable Austin hike!