I visited Bull Creek Preserve in Austin, Texas yesterday afternoon. This was the forth visit for me; all other visits being splendid for my family. The preserve consists of a greenbelt leading up a very steep rocky cliff overlooking Austin, and surrounding hills on the Capital of Texas Highway and Loop 360. The portion we visited, and always visit consists of a short walk through chilly shin-deep clear water to wear the falls are. These falls tumble over mossy rocks to a clear, deep swimming hole in the shade. Further up the creek, there is a very scenic walk through the trees and rushing water that leads to deeper and more shallow swimming holes including flat, smooth rock for resting/tanning with your family. This portion of the preserve is at the bottom of a towering, tree-covered cliff. In the past we have usually visited in October and November. At the time, it was unusually warm, so we were able to swim in the creek.
When we arrived yesterday, I immediately knew something was wrong when the shin-deep water you walk through to get to the falls and the swimming hole were very shallow (only up to our ankles). The water was also warm and stagnent. We moved further to the falls and realized that the months of little to no rain had taken their toll on this beautiful place. The crowds of visitors had convened on the one and only deep watering hole, and the rest of the rapids had dried up around the rocks. When we tried to return to our usual swimming hole further up the creek, the water was still and not very inviting. The coolness of the springs had turned to warmness, and a muddy smell filled the park. The past tourists had also desicrated the park by not cleaning up after their dogs, piles of excrement on several of the rocks in the area. We also spotted several piles of trash left behind by tourists that had also spilled into certain portions of the watering holes. My family was very disappointed with this trip, and wondered if this was how Bull Creek was going to be all summer long. Hopefully, a few weeks of solid rainstorms will wash away all this garbage and clutter that have filled in this preserve, and will return it to the beautiful park I witnessed last year. I hope the tourists will start respecting these areas and clean up after themselves in the future. I highly recommend this preserve after a few days of heavy rain. Be warned, however, that Texas weather is unpredictable, and even a beautiful place such as this can turn into a deathtrap.
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