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