Down in the southwest side of Austin, below the Mopac—290 exchange are two small neighborhood parks pretty much across the road from each other. I was able to do both of these in morning before lunch. Latta Branch has some sparse tree cover on sections parallel the main trail. This winds behind some neighborhoods, and was generally a pretty quiet and easy walk. It ends at a small office park with notes that it continues on the other side of the road. I explored that area, and wasn’t able to find any continuation of the trail. On the way back to the car (which was simply parked on the street), I took some side trails parallel to the main ones. These were less-traveled and not as well maintained, as there was some garbage and a burned out car back there.
Across the main drag (Beckett Road) was Dick Nichols District
Park, which was a huge open area with a main trail which circled around the
perimeter. This was also an easy walk on
the gravel path, but not much to look at because this was a manicured municipal
space. There were a couple small side
trails, which was where I located the rattlesnake signs. Dick Nichols backs up against Mopac, and the
trail continued on the other side.
According to the image I had from Google Maps, there was a major spur
which would go south to a place called “Deer Park at Maple Run.” I was never able to get there, as when I went
under Mopac I encountered a gang hideout and was able to back out with a
minimum of fuss. Unlike the
aforementioned rattlesnakes, Austin’s gang population they are aggressive and
not important members of the natural community.
Honestly, I’d rather encounter a rattlesnake.
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