Got the cliff jumper in you?

Are you daring enough to jump in the water from a cliff 25ft up? How about 50ft up from the second cliff rim? Personally, I'd probably be caught sky diving before jumping even 15ft off a cliff into water. I may not be the most daring-cliff-jumping gal, but I can explore like no other.

Many Austinites have been to a few places on the Barton Creek Greenbelt, or at least know about some populars like Sculpture or Twin Falls off of Capital of Texas HWY and Mopac. I recently explored a new place on the Barton Creek Greenbelt West that I wanted to share called Gus Fruh park. It's just a bit more hidden than others.

There are some small waterfalls, cliffs, a big swimming hole (pictured) and a few trails that lead you back and forth across the creek. It's extremely quiet as well. Amazingly, it's only about 7 minutes from the downtown skyscrapers.

HOW TO GET THERE:
From downtown, take Mopac South. Exit Capital of Texas HWY and take a left (going East). You'll pass under Mopac. Take a left at the second light called W Gate Blvd. It'll look like an office complex, but keep following the parking lot to the left and you'll find Barton Creek Greenbelt Trail parking. Or Google Gus Fruh Park.

TIPS TO MAKE THE MOST OF IT:
Wear good walking shoes with grip. Depending on the trail you take, there are some steep areas up rocks. Also, bring a bathingsuit. If you're daring, you'll probably want to jump in from 50ft up, right? : ) Or maybe not.

COST:
Free

A Downtown Park on Lake Austin (without the traffic)

I always feel so blessed when I drive across the Congress or Mopac Bridges and take a quick glance left or right, catching an eye full of our precious Town Lake (I still refuse to call it Lady Bird Lake. I'm all about short names and that just doesn't quite work for me). Walking around the lake will surely set your mind in relax mode, but I frequently don't want to search for a parking spot during the busy times.

I recently found another portion of Town Lake that not nearly as many people seem to know about. It's immediately East of I-35 on the North side of Town Lake at Fiesta Gardens. I had heard of Fiesta Gardens before (and had even been to a few events there myself), but I never traveled passed the facility. There is a massive park on a peninsula right next to it!

HOW TO GET THERE: From most places downtown, take E. Cesar Chavez passed I-35. Take a left on Comal. Go until it hits the water.

TIPS TO MAKE THE MOST OF IT: Keep driving down the park - going East - until you hit the small boat launch. The parking lot ends and the park becomes a peninsula of grass and trees.

COST: Free

Austin 360 Bridge - A quick and easy hike

One of my favorite spots around Austin is actually only about 15 minutes from downtown: Above the 360 bridge. You may not sweat from the hike (it's relatively short and easy to get to) but it has gorgeous views of downtown, the infamous bridge and Lake Austin.

Tips To Make The Most Of It:
You can walk up both sides, but the side closest to the city (East) rarely has any other visitors. Once you get on top of the rock, there is a short 5 minute hiking trail to your left. Great on a hot summer day!

My Favorite Part:
As a female, there are very few places I feel comfortable hiking or relaxing in nature alone. During weekend days on the rock farthest from the city (West), there are enough people that it feels safe, yet it's not so packed that you can't set up shop with a blanket, book and snacks for a solo relaxation.

How To Get There:
From downtown, head North on Mopac, exit 2222 and go west (left) until you hit 360 (aka Capital of Texas Hwy). Go South (left) on 360 and park before the bridge. Hike 2 min. up the rocks on either side of the rd.