Westcave Preserve Austin
This is a small piece of land owned by the Lower Colorado River Authority. It's not a large area but it is packed with scenary.
Access to the trails at Westcave are by guided tour only. On weekends tours start at 10:00 AM, Noon, 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM. There is a $5 per person fee that goes toward the expenses of maintaining the property.
If you're not an experienced hiker, there are steel cable handholds installed on the more difficult areas of the trail. There is a great observation deck over the Pedernales River into the valley below.
There is a cave at the bottom of the canyon. As you walk along the lush plant life you'll think you've gone back to prehistoric times. There are caves hither and yon and if you're touring in earlier part of the morning or the late afternoon, you will probably encounter some of the wildlife residents and the occasional bat.
If you peek into the caves, you can see the stalactite formation in process. The conditions here provide for relatively fast growth and the unique addition of algae in the process can contribute to formations that actually lean outwards from the cave towards the opening and towards the Sun.
There is an Environmental Center that is most definitely worth a visit. You can learn about the conservation efforts of the area as well as the indigoneous plants and animals of the area.
The Westcave Preserve is a great way to spend an afternoon enjoying the lush beauty of this area and a great get-away from the city streets and everyday world.
Access to the trails at Westcave are by guided tour only. On weekends tours start at 10:00 AM, Noon, 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM. There is a $5 per person fee that goes toward the expenses of maintaining the property.
If you're not an experienced hiker, there are steel cable handholds installed on the more difficult areas of the trail. There is a great observation deck over the Pedernales River into the valley below.
There is a cave at the bottom of the canyon. As you walk along the lush plant life you'll think you've gone back to prehistoric times. There are caves hither and yon and if you're touring in earlier part of the morning or the late afternoon, you will probably encounter some of the wildlife residents and the occasional bat.
If you peek into the caves, you can see the stalactite formation in process. The conditions here provide for relatively fast growth and the unique addition of algae in the process can contribute to formations that actually lean outwards from the cave towards the opening and towards the Sun.
There is an Environmental Center that is most definitely worth a visit. You can learn about the conservation efforts of the area as well as the indigoneous plants and animals of the area.
The Westcave Preserve is a great way to spend an afternoon enjoying the lush beauty of this area and a great get-away from the city streets and everyday world.
