Sculpture Falls

I tested out my backpacking legs on the Barton Creek Greenbelt with Connect and Hike recently. Despite a wrong turn detour I made it to Sculpture Falls in one piece. The falls were flowing due to rain that fell the day before, and I made it back just after darkness fell. You can follow the same route.

Gaines Creek Flowing

I joined a hiking group this morning for a walk along the Violet Crown Trail. We met at the Spyglass entrance for a 5-mile round trip hike towards Loop 360. Rain had fallen the night before, and the trail was soggy in places but passable. We crossed Barton Creek a few times and found no water flow in the creek. 

It was a pleasant surprise to find a steady flow of water coming down Gaines Creek when we reached it. Small cascades and burbling sounds were a treat as we walked up the creek a quarter mile or so. We found the first crossing to be completely submerged so we turned around at that point.

Why would one creek be flowing and the other not? Did more rain fall in the Gaines Creek watershed? Does the larger Barton Creek require more rainfall to flow. Perhaps, it has more sinks where the water seeps into the aquifer. I don't know the answer, but I'm pleased for the experience.