Waterfall Trail Trailhead — Attraction in Austin

No birds along the trail. I followed the trail from the road toward the southwest. Passed the small water fall that was heard but pretty well hidden by the brush. Then to the wide, shallow falls. Maybe I was supposed to cross the shallow, rocky expanse there to wind back toward the main road? I didn't cross though, and kept going. The trail narrowed as it continued through the woodland and started to look less and less used. Eventually I wound up at a wire fence topped with a strand of barbed wire. Google maps showed me that I was at the edge of the Commons Ford Ranch park property. No problem I thought, I'll just go back the way I came. Ha! Turns out that, once I was back passes the wide, shallow falls, there are lots of forks in the trail that I hadn't noticed on my way in. I took the first I thought I'd come in on. It led me to a bridge that is intentionally blocked by fallen trees because the bridge just drops off. Backtracked and tried again - down several other wrong forks, and another visit or two to the blocked bridge. If I didn't have my phone I'd still be there, but even that was limited help. Trying to take a straight path to the road is blocked by drop-offs or dense woods. But the phone did keep me moving in the general direction of the road. I've seen other people enter from the same, marked trail head or from the area near the barn, often with a dog. I didn't encounter any skeletons, so they must have found there...

From Lake Austin resort, group of us traveled to the trail by boat which gave us a unique start to the adventure ahead. Beautiful stately and unique homes and boat slips along the way. The trail can also be reached by car. Rocky, muddy wet areas require good shoes with traction so be prepared! Along the way, wildlife and birds can be seen and of course the waterfalls...

Short, but good hike. Trails are mostly clear, some muddy areas, nothing too difficult to negotiate. During spring and summer months be cognizant of snakes potentially being near of...