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