Twin Falls

I mentioned that everyone should hit the lake/creek/pool this weekend, but I didn’t tell you about my fave spot. Now that it’s the week, I’ll let you in on my secret (it’s not all that secret, but we can pretend): There’s a magical place in Austin. It’s Twin Falls. It’s right off Mopac and 360, and you find it just by looking for all the cars parked on the side of the road. The quarter-mile hike down to Barton Creek is easy, and that’s part of the place’s appeal–a little work is rewarded heartily. I’ve brought the dog, I’ve gone solo, and I’ve brought dates, each time was great in its own way.

The first time I went, I came out of the woods and upon the falls for which the place is named and I was in awe. It’s not that they’re particularly beautiful—though the sparkling blue-green creek water framed by large sun-bleached rocks is quite pretty—it was the feeling of stumbling upon a secret. People lounged on the rocks smoking pot and cigarettes, drinking beer and tossing Frisbees for their dogs to retrieve … they all knew. They knew to come to this magical place! I felt like a voyeur.

But I was a quickly-welcomed voyeur, as I slipped my shoes and socks off, left them on the muddy banks, and jumped into the water in my clothes. As I go back, the sense of belonging is always there, which is quite silly since I never KNOW anyone there. It’s just that we all know about Twin Falls.

This past winter, I took my shy, skittish rescue dog to Twin Falls. She loved it. She ran ahead of me on the trail, then circled back. She dipped a paw in the water before retreating back to the safety of my legs. She, despite her timidity, saw the same magic in Twin Falls that I did. Her droopy jowls lifted into a doggie grin, tongue lolling as far out of her mouth as it could go. She barked at all the strange men on the trail, tail still wagging with joy.

I’m begrudgingly letting you in on my secret here, because I want everyone to be able to enjoy Austin’s natural bounty with as much gusto as possible. Wear your swimsuit and some ratty tennis shoes (those “watersock” things will never be cool, you should probably avoid them) and check it out.

Directions to Twin Falls:

From MoPac southbound, take the first 360 exit. Head south on the MoPac access rd. DO NOT ENTER THE FREEWAY. Go past the freeway entrance and look for the trail head on the right. Parking in on the right hand side of the road only. From northbound MoPac, take the exit for Loop 360. Take a left at the light onto 360 and then the next left heading south on the MoPac access road. DO NOT ENTER THE FREEWAY. Go past the freeway entrance and look for the trail head on the right. Parking in on the right hand side of the road only.