| On the eastern edge of the Edward's | | | | is strong and water level is high, which |
| plateau lies one of Austin's greatest | | | | allows tubers to ride the creek through |
| treasures: the Barton Creek Greenbelt. | | | | the city, a recreation usually only |
| After millions of years, the runoff of | | | | achieved out of town on much larger |
| rainwater carved a canyon into the | | | | rivers. |
| plateau, and created one of Austin's | | | | The Barton Creek greenbelt also offers |
| treasures. | | | | many trails throughout the area that |
| The most popular of Austin's greenbelts, | | | | differ in size from tight, rocky ledges |
| the Barton Creek greenbelt is just shy | | | | to widths one could deem drivable. The |
| of 8 miles long, and covers 809 acres. | | | | trails wind through sycamore groves, |
| The greenbelt runs from Zilker Park | | | | along the creek bed, through limestone |
| downtown, to the rocky entrance of Camp | | | | bluffs hiding many caves, and deep into |
| Craft Road, just off of the Capital of | | | | forests of juniper and oak trees. |
| Texas Highway, with several entrance | | | | Walkers, runners, and mountain bikers |
| points in between. Austinites looking | | | | all share the same paths through an |
| for outdoor activities head to the | | | | oasis that lies within walking distance |
| greenbelt every day of the year. | | | | of Mopac, while seeming very far |
| The creek running through the middle of | | | | removed. The serious runners ascend the |
| the greenbelt has attracted people to | | | | Hill of Life, the steepest hill on the |
| its waters for several years. The | | | | trail, known to make runners stronger, |
| Tonkawa and Apache tribes were drawn to | | | | and its rocky surface preps them for off |
| the abundant fresh water, as were other | | | | road races. The limestone cliffs of the |
| Native Americans for thousands of years. | | | | greenbelt beckon rock climbers from |
| William "Uncle Billy" Barton settled in | | | | around the city, with at least six |
| the area in 1837, and what was known as | | | | different areas, such as Seismic Wall, |
| Spring Creek came to be known as Barton | | | | New Wall and Great Wall, set up as |
| Creek. | | | | climbing zones, with routes bolted into |
| Today, many are still drawn to the | | | | the side of the rock. |
| waters of Barton Creek and its several | | | | The greenbelt is known for having a very |
| popular swimming holes, most looking to | | | | sensitive ecosystem, and drinking |
| escape the harsh Texas sun. Though the | | | | alcohol within its borders was outlawed |
| busiest of the swimming areas is Barton | | | | in 1997 by the Parks and Recreation |
| Springs pool in Zilker park, places such | | | | department since the park staff picked |
| as Twin Falls and Sculpture Falls offer | | | | up 18 cubic yards of garbage a week, |
| not only cool waters, but beautiful | | | | with 75 percent of the trash turning up |
| sheer cliffs and a more secluded setting | | | | as beer bottles and cans. Concerned |
| as well. The pool at Gus Fruh park | | | | citizens have done a good job at keeping |
| gathers crowds of families with young | | | | city growth at bay by forming groups |
| children and dogs because of its section | | | | such as the Save our Springs Alliance to |
| of ankle-deep water, and a younger crowd | | | | protect the quality of water coming off |
| that enjoys its long, deep section that | | | | of development in the fragile Barton |
| makes for good swimming, and a rope | | | | Springs watershed. Though the |
| swing for the more adventurous types. | | | | population of Austin is increasing |
| Closer to Zilker park lies Campbell's | | | | dramatically, the Barton Creek Greenbelt |
| hole, with its pebbly beach, and rumored | | | | has been relatively unharmed by the |
| to be visited by Robert E. Lee, and | | | | city's rapid development, and welcomes |
| outlaws Bonnie and Clyde. During | | | | all Austinites, new and old, to come |
| seasons of heavy rainfall, the current | | | | play. |