March 2016: Hike & Bike Trail – another view of the stream

Sunday March 26 was another absolutely beautiful spring day. A bit cloudy then sunny and cool. Perfect for a bit of a hike, so we drove to the completed part of the Walnut Creek hike and bike trail. We parked near MoPac and hit the trail heading towards our monitoring site. This part of the trail has only been completed for a few months and it is already very popular with cyclists, joggers, walkers and leashed dogs.

We walked to the Metric Blvd overpass, about a mile away as the trail curved. We crossed over several bridges and noticed that there were a number of bright orange 1×4 boards stretching across the trail. They are covering some of the concrete seams; possibly to protect new grout? (“seams” possible!)  They are not anchored at all, so some have been moved.

It was interesting to see the stream from the south bank for a change. Upstream it and the banks are much the same as at our Metric sample site. The water is again low, with surface algae in places. It was interesting to see the site, the storm culvert and other nearby spots from across the stream.

hike/bike trail and a bridge

near MoPac downstream view

Stream near MoPac, looking downstream

stream near MoPac

Walnut creek near MoPac looking downstream

downstream view from a bridge – low water

side of another bridge and stream

stream from another bridge (lots of surface algae)

stream from a bridge

upstream side of an inlet to the creek

downstream side view of inlet to creek

Walnut Creek from another bridge between MoPac and Metric

bridge and stream near sample site

Stream from a bridge

looking upstream from one of the bridges

Metric Blvd overpass just north of sample site

storm culvert from south bank

stream near sample site culvert from south bank

sample site from south bank

view of under bridge from south bank

upstream view from south bank trail under bridge

under bridge from south bank trail

sample site and beyond from south bank trail under bridge