TX: Big Bend - Lajitas Trails (Airport Loop)

 On our drive home to Arizona we spent a night outside of Big Bend Nat'l Park. I knew there were trails nearby and I made a deal with K that I would wake up in darkness and be back at our place before 9a. That would give me about two hours to check things out. I reached out to my buddy, Derek, who I rode with in Austin, for some ride recommendations. I opted for the Airport loop as it looked to be about the right mileage and was closest to where we were staying.

My alarm went off and I was up an moving. I arrived at the trailhead area in darkness and didn't quite see where exactly to park. One area I thought would be good, off the side of the main road, had mailboxes in the middle, so not ideal. Then I noticed a faint image of a kiosk sign, turned the car around and the headlights picked up the official trailhead. Score! It was vague at best in the darkness, but somehow I found it.

I got myself ready as daylight slowly crept in. Another car of hikers arrived and they took off in the wee light, I wanted a bit more daylight so I hung around for another 10 minutes or so.

Glad I spotted this sign in the darkness.

Suddenly, I feel like I'm almost back in Arizona.

So far, it was a fast track parting the rocks.

Ocotillos were everywhere out here. Trail followed a rocky wash for a short bit.

This bit reminded me of the 18 Road Trails in Fruita, CO.

The sun was creeping near the horizon and I was hoping I'd reach my turn before it popped up, blinding me. I barely made it, but was stoked to have the sun at my back and over 3 miles down before sunrise.

I was glad I had loaded a track to follow as it was a bit vague through this wash area.

Clinging to the hillside here.

The sun makes an appearance when I spotted what appeared to be an abandoned van.

Yep, looks like it's been there a while.

Not enough bullet holes to be found in Arizona.

Someone had a good time here.

Fix'er up'er.

Truth. Preach it.

More fun, fast riding along this shallow ridgeline.

Sort of looks like a dirt road, but rides like singletrack.

From barren rock moonscape to thick grass and shrubs. It was a checkerboard of terrain.

A Javelina darted out in front of me and I chased it for a while through here.

Shadow guy needs to get on the trail.

There were some looping options as the nice metal signs indicated.

Ocotillo forest higher on the flanks.

Fun, contoured climb.

The terrain had a bit more character here.

One final trail to complete the loop.

What a fun route, thanks for the suggestion, Derek. Much more to see here. It'll be fun to spend a few days in the area next time. I needed to get back and was happy to wrap up the ride by 8:30a, on schedule, heck even a few minutes early. That rarely happens...

Route:

TX: Austin - Brushy Creek

 The forecast wasn't looking too good, showers were expected most of the day while in Austin. I had reached out to my buddy, Derek, who used to live in the Phoenix area, but had been relocated to Austion five years ago due to work. He was free for a ride, but it was looking more like an urban paved route would be on tap.

However, the entire day driving towards Austin, there was no foul weather in sight. We opted to meet up north of town at the Brushy Creek Regional Park. Derek did note that it had rained the other day, but he thought the trails would be ok to ride.

We met early, just after daybreak, as I only had a couple hours to ride before getting back on the road. The first trail we came to was roped off, but Derek noted it was the one trail that was often closed when rain came through. We continued along the paved path for a while, then hopped on some singletrack. Almost immediately, I smacked my head on a low crossing branch!! Whoa. It was a bit of a stunner, since I didn't see it coming, but it got me to really pay attention to the surroundings the rest of the ride.

Cruising along a paved section of our route.

Hero dirt!! The trails were either packed fast dirt through the trees or...

...rubbly crushed limestone. Both were fun, but the rocks added a good challenge.

Taking a short break under a freeway construction project.

We rode to the opposite end of the park, then on our way back we mostly took singletrack trails. While the park was long, it wasn't very wide and the trail routing looked like a bowl of spaghetti. I love when trails are routed to maximize the terrain given. These trails were a load of fun, yet demanded attention. Soft dirt, slick roots, rocks, short drops, low branches and a few water crossings.

Using the paved path as a connector and a focus reset.

There could be trails on both sides of this photo, but you wouldn't know it.

As we made our way back to the parking lot, there was a running race going on. We never saw anyone out on the singletrack, only the multi-use path which was nice. It was a great introduction to the Austin ride scene and my first ever ride in Texas!! Thanks for the fantastic tour, Derek.

So cool to ride with a friend on new terrain.

It sounds like the Austin area has a bunch a great places to ride, maybe someday I'll be back to sample some more.

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