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Barton
Springs, page 2
The
floor of the pool is made of limestone and Buda gravel mixed with
clay, which acts like cement. There are three general sections to
the pool. The wading area extends from the upper dam all the way to
Bedicheck's rock where it drops off steeply to sixteen feet. This
is where the diving board is located over the main spring. The area
between the diving board and the lower dam is deep, from ten to sixteen
feet. There used to be a high dive in this section but it was removed
in the 1970s. The strip on the north side of the pool from the lower
dam to the lifeguard stand near the entrance is about four feet and
has a gravel bottom. It was once used as a lap lane. Lap lanes are
not designated at Barton Springs but lap swimming is very popular.
Serious swimmers hit the pool early in the morning to avoid the crowd
and have an unspoken agreement about how to divide up the lanes. Some
swim between the sidewalks, while others prefer to swim the whole
length. Since the 1930s there has been an informal policy of leaving
the front gate closed but accessible to early bird swimmers, but recently
an iron fence with a lock was put in to keep children from entering
unattended and to comply with city codes.
Large pecan and cottonwood trees provide plenty of shade and either
side of the pool is surrounded by grassy slopes. During the peak summer
hours it can get very crowded, with the teenagers hanging out on the
east slope and everyone else on the flatter west bank. Floats are
allowed only in the deepest section near the dam. You can still sunbathe
nude inside the women's dressing area on a few grassy areas that are
open to the sky, but it is an unwritten policy.
The Polar Bear Club at Barton Springs, which has over one
hundred members, swims year-round. One member, Jill Carr, swam in
such cold weather that her hair froze when she exited the water!
The Barton Creek Greenbelt officially opened in 1985. It
is a 7.8-mile trail for hiking and bicycling. Several swimming holes
dot the trail. Rock climbers also practice on the limestone cliffs.
The trail is rocky and semi-primitive and cuts through scenic wildflowers,
trees, limestone cliffs, caves, meadows, swimming holes and waterfalls.
The trail varies from narrow ledges to wide walkways. Wildlife is
abundant in the park. Hiking in the Greenbelt will really give you
the feeling of being far away in the wilderness, not in the middle
of the city, which it really is. The trail extends from Zilker Park
to Lost Creek, with a trailhead at Zilker Park just west of the pool.
You can also access the trail where Spyglass intersects with Barton
Skyway; behind Barton Hills Elementary School on 2010 Homedale Drive;
at the Gus Fruh Access at 2642 Barton Hills Drive; at Loop 360 near
the office buildings behind Brodie Oaks; and at Camp Craft Road at
the intersection of Scottish Woods Trail. The Loop 360 and Gus Fruh
sections are wheelchair-accessible. Dogs are permitted on leash only.
For up-to-date trail conditions, call 472-1267.
A new trail is being built that will connect Southwest Parkway
with the Greenbelt at the MoPac Bridge. This 1.5-mile dirt trail will
parallel Gaines Creek. Construction will be performed by thirteen
members of the National Civilian Community Corps, which was created
by Congress in 1993. No public funding will be used.
When enjoying the Barton Creek Greenbelt, remember to pack your trash
and leave the trail better than you found it. The trail is open 5:00
A.M.-10:00 P.M.
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Barton
Creek swimming hole Gus Fruh Pool
Photo courtesy Chandra Moira Beal |
Barton Creek
flows forty-one miles from its headwaters in Dripping Springs to the
Colorado River, wandering through Hays and Travis counties. It averages
more than thirty feet in width at times which designates it as a navigable
creek by the Texas Constitution. While Barton Springs flows year-round,
Barton Creek responds more to spring and fall rains. During times
of drought, the creek may dry up and leave only a few swimming holes.
When it is dry, you can still see wagon ruts in the limestone bed
that were carved out when the creek bed was used as a route into town.
Floating Barton Creek in an inner tube, canoe, kayak or boat
is a favorite local pastime. Keep safety in mind and always wear a
lifejacket, even if you are an experienced swimmer. The creek is shallow
and dotted with trees and rocks which can easily upset your boat.
Other hazards to watch out for are fire ants, water and land snakes,
poison ivy and prickly plants. Wear sunscreen and river shoes or tennis
shoes to protect your feet. Never float during rain or thunderstorms
or during periods of flooding as the water can become muddy and hide
hazards. Drink lots of water. Never boat or tube alone.
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Sculpture
Falls
Photo courtesy Chandra Moira Beal |
A
number
of swimming holes dot Barton Creek and are accessible from the Greenbelt.
Catfish Pool is just below the junction of Barton Creek and
Hebbingston Hollow. A small footbridge traverses the north side. Sculpture
Falls has rapids and secluded sunbathing, just below Dam #7. Campbell's
Hole has a small pebble beach and is a reliable pool. It's located
about one mile upstream from Barton Springs. Legend has it that Robert
E. Lee made numerous trips here while stationed at a camp to the west;
Sam Bass, Bonnie and Clyde, and Jesse James also used the small cave
above the pool as hideouts. Gus Fruh Pool is another reliable
swimming hole even during droughts. It's located near 2632 Barton
Hills Drive (respect private property). Triple Falls and Gus
Fruh Park are at the three-mile mark on the trail and have large
boulders and deep water. Twin Falls can be accessed at Loop
360 across from the entrance to Barton Creek Mall. You will find a
rope swing and good swimming under two small waterfalls. Most access
points have rest rooms and picnic tables. Of interest is Airman's
Cave, a 2.1-mile long cave. It is the longest cave in the country
with an average height of only three feet. Only five percent of the
cave is tall enough to stand up in, and usually one person gets stuck
every year and has to be rescued. For experienced spelunkers only!
The Austin Chronicle published an excellent guide to hiking
in the Barton Creek Greenbelt and floating Barton Creek in their April
17, 1992 issue, reprinted in April 18, 1997.
Barton Springs and Zilker Park
continued >
Copyright
Chandra Moira Beal and La Luna Publishing
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