Muleshoe is a great place to do a few laps, regardless of the weather. After a rain, Muleshoe usually recovers in a little over 24 hours. The park is essentially a large loop with a road that runs down the middle. Even if you get halfway around a loop and want to cut out, there is a place to bail and get back to the trailhead.

Muleshoe is about 45 minutes from downtown Austin. Be sure to be watching for wildlife as you ride. I've never met a rattlesnake, but I have had several encounters with deer; one almost took me out on a downhill once.

Northwest of Austin on highway 71, on north end of Lake Travis

Take highway 71 west of Austin until you see the sign for Paleface Ranch. Take a right on Paleface Ranch Road. Follow that a few miles and veer to the right on County Road 414 (there is a sign for a gas station). Follow that road a mile or two into the park.

Medium

About 7 miles in a loop

Rocky and hard packed dirt. Many areas are sandy and have loose rocks, so be careful if you build up too much speed in the turns. Good foliage.

Area map

Trail map

Topographic map

Good cover

Newbathrooms by the entrance, the park is right on Lake Travis so you can go for a dip after riding.

$5 park entrance

Bass Ale. Live a little after the ride. After going around in a loop a few times, the Bass will remind you of the turnabouts in London.

LCRA Site
MTB Info
Another MTB

Pictures:

Copyright 2008, John Fruehe