Hiking in the Hill Country

This past weekend, exhausted from all the goings-on of Friday and Saturday nights, Austinist temporarily fled Austin to seek refuge in the Great Outdoors. We headed out west along HWY 290 to Pedernales Falls State Park, where we hoped to go on the 4-Mile Loop hike. Upon arrival at the Park's Headquarters, we were dismayed to learn that the river was too dangerous to traverse, what with all the recent rain we've had. As a decent alternative, we opted to try out the 8-mile Wolf Mountain Trail.

Don't be deceived by the length of the trek; the entirety of the roundtrip trail is comfortably paved, with only the slightest of inclines in occasional spots. It's hardly climbing a hill, much less a mountain.

Still, the trail takes you on a calming, secluded walk bounded by the beautiful Cedar trees of the Hill Country. Somewhere along the trail you'll find the ruins of a settler's house - very neat. Austinist brought our little Jack Russell Terrier, who was more than eager to explore this frontier territory. As there was hardly anyone else on the trail, we let him off-leash to roam about at his leisure. Please don't rat us out to the park rangers.

The trail is perfect for the novice hiker eager to get out of the city but not too keen on exerting him-/herself on a more rigorous hike. The view never gets particularly spectacular, but at certain higher vantage points you might catch a glimpse of the surrounding Pedernales River Valley. Plan to spend about 3-4 hours walking, plus another 2 hours for the drive out and back. Bring your own snacks and water, as there's nothing available along the route - unless you're daredevil enough to drink from the many creeks you'll walk across. Several clearings along the route function as ideal picnic spots, so if you head out early enough you might even make a nice romantic outing of it all.

Note: image source unknown.