McKinney Roughs – 2/11/17

Saturday, February 11, 2017

McKinney Roughs Nature Park near Wyldwood, TX

Clear, cool, mid 70s

Ian, Court, Biff, Cray

3.9 miles

We are keeping the in-law’s lab, Cray, for a couple of weeks while they are in Patagonia (jealous) and we wanted to get her out on a hike.  And us too of course.  Court got a new daypack (Gregory Maya 16) of her own for our trips to the mountains this summer and we needed to test it out too.  McKinney Roughs is one of our favorite spots that is close to town and never crowded.

We did a reverse loop of the first time we hiked here back in June of 2015. One of the more interesting aspects this time was they are constructing a zip line tour through the park.  It looks to be about 80% finished and, while it is a bit of an eyesore, I hope it does well and brings in funds to the park.  We will probably try it out once it is complete.  We haven’t been zip lining since we got married in Costa Rica two years ago.

When we got to the high point of the hike with the best views we busted out the breakfast tacos we had gotten from Taco Joint (one of the best breakfast taco places in all of Austin…shhh) on the way out.  Warm Texas hiking in February and breakfast tacos.  That’s a good morning.

After breakfast we followed the trail down the switchbacks and to the Colorado River where the dogs took a swim.  Biff is getting better with water, but still won’t go in where his feet can’t touch bottom.

After some quick swimming we headed back up the tough 45 degree trail to the top of the trail head and back to the car.  Successful hike and the dogs did great.