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Horseshoe Creek Hiking Trail
The Horseshoe Creek Hiking Trail is a 2.5 mile hiking trail which follows portions of Horseshoe Creek from the HSB POA Mausoleum down to Wayne’s Trail near Thanksgiving Mt. and FM 2147. Linda Lambert describes the trail in her article: “It involves some walking over rocks and sloping areas, and hikers get a real feeling of Hill Country nature as they walk through wooded areas with the soothing sounds of Horseshoe Creek bubbling up out of limestone rock or rushing along, depending on recent rainfall. Other trail highlights include a panoramic view of HSB all the way to the Lighthouse, a small boulder field, and abundant wildlife.” The trail also includes 500 feet of ADA accessible paths.
DIRECTIONS: From Highway 2147, turn onto Thanksgiving Mt., drive to the top and turn right onto Hi Ridge at the 4-way stop. Pass the Church at Horseshoe Bay and turn left on Mountain Dew. After about ½ mile, look to the right for the Mausoleum sign. Follow the Mausoleum road another ½ mile to the entrance. There is parking at the Mausoleum. There is also limited parking on Wayne’s Trail, on the right side of Thanksgiving Mt. just as you leave Highway 2147, making it possible for groups to park a car at each end for a one-way hike. There are information signs and excellent maps at both ends of the trail. Click here for a map of the trail.
History
The Horseshoe Creek Hiking Trail was officially opened on December 13, 2016 after a ribbon cutting ceremony which honored Wayne and Eileen Hurd and a special group of local residents whose efforts made the completion of the trail possible. The Hurd’s generously donated 50 acres of land to the City of Horseshoe Bay in November 2011, and envisioned the area being a park for hikers, picnickers, and general family use. Wayne regularly hiked in the area and had cleared a short hiking trail below the Mausoleum so hikers could walk along the creek. The City honored Eileen Hurd’s suggestion that the short road from Thanksgiving Mt. road to the lower trailhead be designated as “Wayne’s Trail.”
The Horseshoe Bay Property Owners Association and the Horseshoe Bay Resort also generously donated land to allow the trail to be completed. Key members of the group who led the efforts to make the trail a reality include Parks Advisory Committee Chairman Michael Widler, former HSB Mayor Bob Lambert, HSB Corp President Sam Tarbet, Eileen Hurd’s daughter Donna Sugg, HSB Resort Vice Chair Ron Mitchell, current HSB Mayor Steve Jordan, City Manager Stan Farmer, and Public Works Director Tim Foran. Mike Widler’s and Stan Farmer’s efforts resulted in a $110,000 grant from Texas Parks and Wildlife. An enthusiastic youth group from the Texas Conservation Corps played a key role as well in finishing the trail by clearing and trimming the path, assisting with signage, and building benches out of cedar logs. The trail is ready to be enjoyed by residents and visitors alike for many years to come.
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