Author: Kelly Hurd (Page 5 of 12)

Website:

https://parks.traviscountytx.gov/find-a-park/pace-bend

Location: Northwest of Austin

2805 Pace Bend Road North

Spicewood, TX 78669

Contact: 512/854-7275 0r 512/246-1842

Directions:

From Austin exit 290/71 west, 290 and 71 will split, stay to the right going northwest on 71, turn right on Pace Bend Park Road (RR 2322), this is a lighted intersection and you will see a large Chevron gas station which also has a Grocery Store (Paleface Grocery – a good spot to get ice and what ever else you might need). Pace Bend Park road will dead end right into the gate house of the park (you do not have to turn off of this road which is approximately 4 miles long). Once at the gate house be sure to ask for a park map and trail map. You can also get these maps on-line, see the links below.

Equestrian overnight camping: Allowed

Dogs: Allowed but you must have your pets on a leash and you can’t leave them unattended

Cell Phone Service: Good

Terrain:

Texas Hill Country, rocky, hilly, and flat in some areas – shoes/boots are recommended

Mileage:

Approximately 12 -15 miles of riding combined on the inner and outer loop areas

Map Links:

Trail Map:

https://parks.traviscountytx.gov/images/docs/parks/pace_bend/pacebend_trailmap.pdf

Park Map:

https://parks.traviscountytx.gov/images/docs/parks/pace_bend/pacebend.pdf

Trail users:

Bikers, hikers, and equestrians

Fees: Credit/Debit cards are not accepted. Fees may change or vary so be sure to call the park for the most up to date information.

Day Use: $10 per vehicle and $2 per trailer

Primitive Camping: $15

Improved Camping:$20 (no horses allowed)

Operating Hours:

Day use: Sunrise to twilight

Campers: 24 hours

Quiet Hours: 10pm – 7am no generators, music, etc…

Facilities:

Primitive camp sites (400 sites according to their webpage) are open for equestrian users while the improved campsites (20 sites) with water and electric do not allow horses.  Most of the primitive camp sites have picnic tables, grills, fire rings, and shade trees.  There is no running water at the primitive sites. The park has waterless restroom facilities numbered 1 – 15 throughout the park located off of the paved main loop park road.

Description:

If you enjoy trail riding but also love to kayak, you can accomplish both at Pace Bend Park.  The park is managed by the Lower Colorado River Authority and is one of several Lake Travis recreation areas which allow horseback riding. The 1,368 acre park is just a few miles northwest of Austin, tucked into a bend of Lake Travis.  For equestrians the park allows day use and overnight primitive camping.  A seven mile paved roadway loops around the park perimeter. Beach access to the lake is outside of this loop and marked trails are located inside the loop. Horseback riding is allowed in both the interior trails and outer loop areas. The interior marked trails are shared with hikers and bikers.  Motorized vehicles are not allowed on the interior trails, as this part of the park is managed as a wildlife preserve. Some of the trails are marked as “hike and bike only” trails (no equestrians). When first exploring the interior trails, it can get a little confusing and easy to find yourself on a hike and bike only trail, as they are not marked at every intersection. If you find yourself on a trail with lots of low hanging branches then you just might be on a hike and bike only trail. The park is a popular spot for off-road bikers.  During each of my visits we encountered bikers on the trail who were considerate and polite, but seemed surprised to see horses!  Keep this in mind when riding, as it is not uncommon to have bikers come up from behind or in front and they are not necessarily looking out for horses. In fact many park goers seemed surprised to see horses in the park, which made me wonder how often trail riders frequent this area.

The interior trails weave in and out of oaks, cedars, and Texas wildflowers. The ground consists of typical Central Texas Hill Country limestone surface which makes shoes, boots, or amazingly tough hooves a necessity. The interior trails are at a higher elevation and offer some gorgeous Lake Travis views where you can see all the lake action. Riding outside the loop offers almost constant views of the lake, but also puts you in the middle of all the beach activity. A day use area northwest of Mud Cove located outside the park loop road is quieter and opens up into some unmarked trails. Riding along the waterfront or into the lake itself is risky, and when lake levels are low it is just plain not advisable. I’ve heard of some occasions where horses sank in the unstable soil. During my last visit in June, our friends who arrived a day before us experienced this first-hand when their horses sank along the water’s edge, causing one horse to fall. It was a close call but they were all right. Water sources on the trail are scarce with exception to the lake, but as stated that could be dangerous.  I saw only one water source, a water tough, on the interior trails located by a chain link fence near trail #208.

Primitive camping at the park is on a first-come, first-serve basis; reservations aren’t taken.  Make plans for an early arrival to scout out the best spot. Mud Cove, located on the northeast side, is one of the better areas to camp with your horses.  When looking at the Pace Bend Park Visitor’s Map, Mud Cove is near restroom #11, this restroom can also be seen from the main park road. Many campsites have picnic tables, grills, fire rings, and tall shady oak trees.  There are no pens, but portable or electric pens are allowed or you can high-tie your horses but be sure to use tree savers.  No running water is available at the primitive sites; youmust bring water for your horse and yourself. Quiet hours (no generators, music, etc.) are enforced from 10pm to 7am.  Bring your puppies but keep them on a leash per park rules. My dog, LB, loves to accompany us on our camping trips but she did not like our first trip to Pace Bend as the campsite was full of burrs. She would pick up one in her paw and stand still as a rock until we pulled it out.  On our last visit during the Super Moon weekend in June, LB approved the burr-free campsite. We enjoyed a delicious fajita dinner prepared on the grill thanks to Caroline Moody while staring up at the Super Moon, the closest and largest full moon of the year!

Lake Travis is popular for swimming, boating, skiing, and whatever other water activities you can think of. The Park is busy, so if you are looking for peace and quiet or you have a horse that spooks easily then this may not be the place for you, especially on the weekends.  However, there are several benefits to camping with your horses at Lake Travis. You are not limited to just horseback riding, which makes it fun for your non-riding friends as well. Swimming in the lake after a long hot ride is an added bonus to this location. On my first trip to Pace Bend Park, I had the privilege of going horseback riding and kayaking in the same day.  Thanks to Carol Grosvenor who amazingly managed to stuff five kayaks in her truck and trailer, along with her horse and camping gear, several friends and I had our first kayaking experience.  Now I’ve become a fan of kayaking but I don’t have to let that infringe on my riding time by enjoying both activities at Pace Bend.  See you on the trails or in the water!

Description and photos provided by contributor, Lin Sutherland

Website: http://stillwellstore.com/

Contact: 432-376-2244

E-mail: info@stillwellstore.com

Location:

The Ranch is located just north of the Big Bend National State Park.
Map link: Stillwell Ranch – Google Maps

Directions:

The Stillwell Ranch is located on the north-east side of Big Bend National Park about 7 miles from the park’s north entrance known as Persimmon Gap. Drive about 39 miles South of Marathon, turn southeast onto FM 2627 and travel 6 more miles to the Stillwell Ranch.

Camping:

Overnight camping with your horses is allowed.

Facilities:

There are approximately 19 uncovered horse pens.

(approximately 14 horse pens are on one side of the road located by the electric/water/sewer hookups and approximately 4 pens on the other side of the road by the electric/water only hookups)

The Ranch also has shower/bathroom facilities, washer and dryers, and free wi-fi.  The old fashioned  Stillwell Store offers food, drinks, other supplies, and gas (but no diesel). Diesel can be found at the National Park.  Be sure to check out the Hallie Stillwell Hall of Fame Museum.

Fees (rates are subject to change so please call to verify current costs):

Primitive Camping –

$7 adults, $4 children ages 7-11, and free for children ages six and under.

RV hookups –

$19 for rigs under 28 feet

$23 for 29 foot rigs

$26 for rigs over 29 feet

-Stay 6 days and get the 7th free

Pens –

$5 to approximately $10

Map: Call ahead to ask for maps of the ranch area and National Park.

Terrain:

The terrain here is rough with rocks and lots of cacti. Shoes or boots for your horse are essential and long sleeves and long pants (even better, chaps) are recommended for you.  You can ride on dirt or gravely roads or on the trails.  You can find level ground or steep inclines and canyons to explore.  You can gain access to Big Bend National Park from Stillwell Ranch.

Current News:
The Stillwell Ranch is currently for sale with a contract pending. The sale is expected to be closed on in May of 2013. It is believed the perspective new owner wishes to keep the Ranch the same so equestrians may still be able to enjoy the Stillwell Ranch.

Description / Trail Tail by LIN SUTHERLAND:

Jewel and I are crossing the Trans-Pecos desert with a dozen other riders in Big Bend National Park. It is love at first sight for me.  The desert, the river, the mountains – it’s not vast emptiness, it’s a life zone full of animals and plants adapted to this rough and tumble region.

Seventy five riders are camped at Hallie Stillwell’s Outpost, being led by Peggie “Redhorse” Kimberlin – two tough, legendary Texas women. Hallie is here with us in spirit only, having passed away in her 90’s after living in these badlands her whole life. Peggie, a larger than life encyclopedia of information on Big Bend, is leading her 23rd Annual Stillwell Ranch Trail ride.

When you cross this country you wonder how anyone could live here. It is desolate, dry and out to get you. Everything pricks, sticks, stings or strikes you. A tender young bride came here at 19 years old to make a home a few miles from the Rio Grande and the Mexican border – a few years and children later, she lost her husband and was left to do it on her own. She established a store and stopping over place for a lifetime of visitors, taught school and wrote two books, “I’ll Gather My Geese, ” and her posthumously published one, “My Goose is Cooked.” She became the stuff of legends, and her most famous quote is “Trust everyone but brand your cattle.”

Peggie Kimberlin grew up in the shadow of that great tradition. Just like Hallie, she can ride, shoot and tell an exceptionally good story, and does all of those with regularity. She got the nickname Redhorse from the sorrel she rode for years until it recently retired. No doubt it’s odometer had turned over. Now she rides a good looking red and white paint and sits it quite well as she leads us into the Black Gap Wilderness area of Big Bend.

First thing she does is take us “off-roading” up a hill thick with lechugilla, a nasty spiny agave plant with poisonous spikes like daggers, a plant invented by the Devil, no doubt. My sweet magnolia blossom walking mare starts to dance and when I look down I see little ruby droplets on her white legs. Of the many that struck her, one has penetrated her heel bulb and she stops and holds it up to show me. The poison tip stings her flesh, but, there is nothing to do but go on. Like our ancestors who came through here.

We rode about 12 miles that day, flusing out red tailed hawk and mule deer and admiring the great open view of the desert. The next day we rode a total of 18 miles  down a dry river bed into a canyon with 300′ high walls. It was breath taking. If you looked hard you could find a few red petroglyphs from the Indians who beat us to the place. We passed a lady sitting quietly in the canyon quilting.

About a third of the way down, we stopped for lunch in a swirl of sand. Others continued on to the Rio Grande river and Mexico. After a ride like that my riding buddy, and I chose to drive up to the Hot Springs and soak our bones. What a fortuitous lagniappe that is! A big contained area with water bubbling out at a perfect 107 degrees. It sat right on the river, which was running heartily after the rains of the winter. After a good hot soak, I climbed down the rocks to wash my hair in the cold Rio Grande. That’ll wake you up!

The Big Bend ride is something I’ve heard about for years, so it was high time I went on it. But you don’t have to come on an organized  one to ride here…there are 12 or 13 horse campsites you can stay in to ride the beautiful green Basin or surrounds. However, the Stillwell Ranch ride which Redhorse organizes is a plus for various reasons:

* The National Park campsites are dry. Stillwell ranch sites have water and electric. And that was a major help since the nights dipped to 26 degrees. Days were perfect though – 60 and bright blue skies.

* Everything is done for you! Peggie thinks of all the best trails, gets the best band for the dance, and gets the best caterer for the food. And she’s the only one who can lead people into Maravilla canyon.

*The cast of characters. I’ve never met so many odd, interesting, mule ridin’, guitar pickin’, story tellin’ folks. They came from Houston, Lubbock and all inbetween – and Arizona, New Mexico, Missouri, Maine and even Canada!

*It’s go great cooking because Wally Roberts and family cater the week. Wally is an expert on dutch oven cooking, and there wasn’t a dish that wasn’t delicious, hot, plentiful and mightily appreciated after a day in the saddle. Wally also does the Billy the Kid ride in New Mexico — I hear that’s something for the not-faint-of-heart. Guess I’ll have to go! Wally Roberts (Dutch Oven Cook) – Billy the Kid Trail Ride …

We camped underneath the uncomparable West Texas black sky with two zillion diamontine stars that led the McDonald Observatory to be here. We listened to the coyotes howl and yip. We laughed and told tall tales and sang and fed the camp poodle. We rode in a wagonette pulled by two elegant, silver-dappled Clydesdales and driven by a Border Patrol agent named Cande, who shared the drover’s seat with two adorable dappled weinie dogs. We made new friends and we saw a unique part of the world from the back of a horse. What better could we wish for in our travels?

The week was so good it even sparked a few romances – after all it was Valentine’s Weekend. Who wouldn’t fall in love with – or in -Big Bend?

TRAIL INFORMATION AND PHOTOS PROVIDED BY CONTRIBUTOR, STEPHANIE HANSLIK

 

WEBSITE

http://indianspiritsprings.com

http://www.facebook.com/IndianSpiritSprings

LOCATION / CONTACT

A&F Farms

4342 Dobrovolny Rd

Bryan TX 77807

979-318-2411

info@IndianSpiritSprings.com

 

DIRECTIONS

Indian Spirit Springs Trails is located in Bryan, TX, at A&F Farms, just 15 minutes north of the new TAMU Health Science Center. From Bryan take Hwy 6, then take Hwy 21 West approx 5 miles. Turn right on Pleasant Hill Road, which is just before a railroad overpass. Travel just over 1 mile and take a left into the ranch entrance on Dobrovolny Rd. This is a gravel road. The ranch entrance has a bright red gate and cattle guard.  There are directional signs once on the property.

OVERNIGHT CAMPING

Equestrian overnight camping is allowed.

FACILITIES

Facilities include, 3 electric hookups, water, picnic table, and two pens. They also have a port-a-john.  There is plenty of parking space.

The camping area is lovely, next to a large lake and groves of beautiful mature trees.

RULES, listed on their website

Everyone who enters the property must sign a waiver at check-in

Please check out when leaving for the day

The ranch is not responsible for accidents to people, horses, or damage to trailers or vehicles

Must have negative coggins

No studs

No riding at night

Children under 18 years of age must wear riding helmet. We encourage that everyone wears a helmet

An adult must accompany anyone under 18 years of age

No glass containers

No guns

No hunting

No dogs. Not all horses are used to dogs

No boats with motors

Life jackets required by anyone in boat

No swimming or wading

Fishing is catch and release

Clean up after yourself; use trash cans that are available

Observe all hazard signs and markings

Stay away from all out buildings and equipment

Respect others and their property

HOURS – They are open 7 days a week 8a to 8p.

FEES

Half day ride $10 per horse
Full Day $20, per horse
Overnight tent/trailer camping is $10 but am (unsure if that includes a electric hook up)
*Prices maybe subject to change, please call before you haul

METHOD OF PAYMENT
They accept cash or checks with appropriate identification.
At this time credit/debit cards are not accepted

TRAIL MAP

DESCRIPTION

The trails are mapped, and they are in the process of marking the trails on the 800 acre ranch.  The terrain is grassy/sandy so no boots or shoes are required.  Trails are a mix of wide open hay fields, pecan orchards, to narrower single file trails through the woods.  There are lots of lakes/ponds, a few water crossings (though the crossings were dry when we visited in December), and gentle rolling hills.

We explored the Northwest section of the ranch and covered about five miles.  After lunch we then rode the only trail marked so far, the Red Trail.  On this trail we covered about three miles, but did not complete the whole trail.

Indian Spirit Springs is a beautiful place to ride.  The owners are very nice and friendly with a lot of knowledge regarding the history of the ranch.

TRAIL REVIEW PROVIDED BY TRACY & LARRY BLACK ON 10/30/14:

A group of us who like to drive went out to check out Indian Spirit Springs based on your recommendation off  WhereTheTrailsAre.com.  We had a fabulous time.   Jackie and her brother were absolutely  the best ranch owners and greeted us as we came in.  We are  a big rig, 66ft long and we had no trouble finding the place or getting in and setting up.   We did call ahead and gave Jackie a heads-up on our size.    Jackie had pens ready for us when we arrived.      The trails are perfect for HyperBikes (what I am driving) and the bigger carriages.      Thank you Tracy & Larry Black!

Hi View Ranch Equestrian Trails

Review and photos provided by Amy Hesselgesser, thank you Amy!

Hi View Ranch has now opened several miles of equestrian trails for bring your own horse trail riding!

Mileage: Unknown at this time, however, Casey will be sending in this information soon. The trails are color coded; green, blue, red, and yellow.

Facilities:Overnight camping with your horses is allowed. The camp ground area is primitive (no hook ups or pens) but generators are allowed. You can tie your horse to the trailer, bring your own pen, or picket them. The campground is by the lake and also has volley ball courts, picnic tables, and you can fish at the lake. The Ranch also has rooms available to rent.

Dogs: Dogs are allowed and can even be off lease so long as they are friendly and don’t cause mischief.

Green Trail

Description: Hi View Ranch is a Christian based facility and working Guest Ranch where you, your family and friends can enjoy a variety of activities such as Horseback Riding, Fishing, Hiking Tennis, Horse Shoes, Volleyball, Walking Trails, Picnic Areas, Camping, Bird Watching, Campfires and more.  The ranch has now opened several miles of equestrian trails for bring your own horse trail riding. There is over 2500 acres of excellent trails, which provide a real open range feel!