Hidden Gems

Last week's article about the fitness venues around Lake Nasworthy (http://bcullins.blogspot.com/2014/09/lake-areas-need-improvements.html) generated several questions about the Nature Preserve Trail on Spillway Road and the adjacent Spillway Park open space at the end of Spillway Road.

Compared to the other parks and open space around Lake Nasworthy, these two areas get very little usage.  That may be because many people don't know where they are located or what the areas offer for casual cyclists, hikers, runners or walkers.

Even though these areas are off the beaten path compared to locations like the swim beach and the KOA loop, they are hidden gems and offer some natural amenities that heavier-used areas just don't provide.

The Nature Preserve Trail is a scenic one-mile loop that begins at a small parking area on Spillway road. To get there, go south on Knickerbocker Blvd past the airport and then turn right onto Spillway Road just before the Twin Buttes dam.  Follow Spillway for two miles to the Nature Trail parking lot which will be on your right.

Prior to heading out onto the Nature Trail, you may want to stop at the San Angelo Nature Center at Lake Nasworthy (cosatx.us/departments-services/nature-center) and pick up a trail map.

These maps include notations related to the numbered markers on the trail that identify different plants, trees and points of interest and representations of the different animal tracks that you might commonly see along the route such as those for deer, raccoon, nutria, roadrunners and opossum.

At about the 1/2 mile point on the trail, you have the option of turning left onto a short side path that goes across a small wooden bridge to the edge of the lake. From the water's edge, you can look across to Middle Concho Park and also see the old bridge pilings that once carried the Santa Fe Railroad across the river prior to Twin Buttes Reservoir being built.

The Nature Trail is a nice short hike for the family, an interesting side loop if you're doing a run along Spillway Road and is also a great place to take younger kids for a 'mountain bike' outing.

A second area to bike/hike/run or walk your dog that can also be accessed from the Nature Trail parking area is the open space commonly referred to as Spillway Park.

This triangular open meadow area is located on the north side of the Middle Concho River channel at the end of Spillway Road. There's a double pipe fence gate across the road about 70 yards past the Nature Trail with bike/pedestrian openings on the left edge of the gates.

Start your tour of Spillway Park by following the old paved road as it heads north toward the Twin Buttes spillway.

At the end of the pavement, you can look out over the water of the spillway channel or veer to the right onto a dirt track that continues along the edge of the water and eventually back to the double pipe gates on Spillway Road.

One complete loop around the open space is about a mile with all of the terrain being flat to gently rolling.

Combine the Nature Trail and Spillway Park loops and you'll enjoy just over two miles of peaceful and scenic outdoor exercise with no cars and very few people to disturb the quiet and peace.

No cars, very few people and scenic vistas might make for a better workout than the hot pavement and traffic around the swim beach or on the KOA loop.

Remember - the Nature Trail and Spillway Park are scenic off-the-beaten-path areas to bike, hike or run.

Upcoming Events
Sept 20: Color Up 5K, colorup5k.com/san-angelo
Sept 27: High Sky Foster Run, roadlizards.org/events/high-sky-foster-run/
Sept 27: Mason Lions Club 5/10K Run, tinyurl.com/nzl5q2r
Oct 4: Shannon Pink Ribbon Run, tinyurl.com/pygg67j
Oct 11: Goodyear Race for Celebration, roadlizards.org
Oct 11: Christoval Vineyards Half Marathon, runintexas.com/christoval
Oct 18: Heart Walk 5K, roadlizards.org
Oct 19: West Texas Half Marathon and 5K, westtexashalf.com/
Oct 25: Armydillo 10K, roadlizards.org/events/armydillow-10k-run/
Nov 1: 30K of the Dinosaur trail race, roadlizards.org
Nov 1: Six Hours of the Dinosaur mountain bike race, angelobike.org/6hour-dinosaur