Day Trips

Photo by Gerald E Mcleod

The Wilbarger Paddling Trail introduces a new section of the Colorado River north of Bastrop to the boating public. The 14-mile family-friendly stretch of river is mostly undeveloped and teeming with wildlife.

"Any time of the year is a good time to explore this section of the river," says Steve Box, executive director of Environmental Stewardship, "but the fall and winter are especially nice." Along with herons, hawks, and other birds, there have been sightings of bald eagles hunting for fish on the river.

Environmental Stewardship is a nonprofit organization that monitors the health of the river and encourages public use. Box says the river is one of the cleanest stretches of water in the state. "Like with most rivers in Texas," he says, "access is a problem."

Below Austin, the river has been divided into several popular paddling segments. Distance between access points range from six to 10 miles, with the Wilbarger Trail from the Utley Bridge on FM 969 to Fisherman's Park in Bastrop among the longest. Depending upon water flow or how hard you paddle, it can take five hours or more to complete.

This section of the river is also steeped in history. The area was settled by members of Stephen F. Austin's colony. In 1833, Josiah Wilbarger was with a surveying party near the current site of Austin when they were attacked by Comanches. Two of the party were killed and two escaped. Wounded in both legs and with a rifle ball in his neck, Wilbarger was stripped, scalped, and left for dead by the American Indians.

During the agonizing night, Wilbarger had a vision of his sister, Margaret. The apparition told the cold and bleeding man to hang on because help was on the way.

Several miles away, Sarah Hornsby had a dream that Wilbarger was still alive. She woke her husband and persuaded him to search for the dying man. Wilbarger was rescued and nursed back to health by the Hornsbys. He later learned that his sister had died in St. Louis the day before the Indian attack. Wilbarger homesteaded near where the creek that bears his name empties into the Colorado River. He lived 11 years after his hair-raising adventure.

The Colorado River between Austin and Bastrop has been tamed since Wilbarger rode the banks, but it still exhibits the same beauty that attracted settlers. For canoe and kayak rental and shuttle service, contact Rising Phoenix Adventures in Bastrop at 512/677-2305 or www.risingphoenixadventures.com.

NatureFest on Saturday, Sept. 27, in Bastrop's Fisherman's Park will celebrate the opening of the Wilbarger Paddling Trail. Denise Rodgers says the annual festival is designed to get both young and old back to nature with paddling trips, fishing clinics, environmental booths, food vendors, and live animal shows. For information, go to www.environmental-stewardship.org/naturefest.aspx.

898th in a series. Day Trips, Vol. 2, a book of "Day Trips" 101-200, is available for $8.95, plus $3.05 for shipping, handling, and tax. Mail to: Day Trips, PO Box 33284, South Austin, TX 78704.