Going to Austin. Where to ride during drought?

GPRrider · 07-10-2009, 03:57 PM

We've rented a small cabin on Lake Travis next week for what was going to be a week of riding the area lakes. Well, I'm now finding out that most of the Highland Lakes are significantly down due to the drought. Our waterfront rental is not so waterfront any more. Is there anybody from the Austin area that can give me the low down on the current riding situation?

I've heard that the Mansfield boat ramp is the only public ramp open on Lake Travis. Does anyone know of any others? Some people are launching from the shore at Pace Bend, but I'm not sure if my vehicle can handle it (2WD 4Runner). Is 4WD necessary?

I also heard that PWC's were banned from Lake Austin last weekend. Is that still the case?

How is Lake LBJ right now? I've heard that some people have died from bacteria in the water. Is that something to be concerned about, or has it been blown out of proportion?

I would really appreciate any information. Thanks!

cavemanX2650 · 07-10-2009, 07:35 PM

hey yea mansfield dam is open but you gotta pay . volente beach has a boat ramp thats free if you know were that is . pace bend you may get stuck out there my mom took her 2wd chevy 1500 truck out there and was fine . if anything just come on over to lake austin . the ban was only for the holiday last weekend . you can launch at quinlin park for free, lakes always full . nice boat ramp to unload at . thats the only one i know of for free on lake austin . near loop 360 on austin there is a ramp but you gotta pay . were in austin you at ? if you need info on how to get to somewere let me know ,PM me

GPRrider · 07-10-2009, 10:11 PM

Thanks for the info, but that's farther from us than Mansfield (we're staying on the Bee Creek arm). I hear that a new sandy beach has emerged at Point Venture. Anybody been there?

GPRrider · 07-15-2009, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cavemanX2650

hey yea mansfield dam is open but you gotta pay . volente beach has a boat ramp thats free if you know were that is .

OK, I'm getting worried, Lake Travis is now below 640. Are they going to close the Mansfield boat ramp altogether? Does anybody have a private ramp that they'd let me use? I'll pay.

Brent22 · 07-16-2009, 03:39 AM

I heard they closed that ramp.. Head over to lake Austin, its full.

Sidsol · 08-15-2009, 01:02 AM

You can launch jet skis from Pacebend... Beach drop it!

cavemanX2650 · 08-17-2009, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sidsol

You can launch jet skis from Pacebend... Beach drop it!

yea thats if you dont hit a sink hole and get your truck stuck out there . theres hidden spots out there were the ground just collapses and your truck sinks , so watch out

Sidsol · 08-17-2009, 07:25 PM

worst case the trailer sinks and i have to turn on 4x4... worst case was a truck tires sank halfway .. towed him out no problem. Its not like a drop in the ocean.,

timallums · 08-17-2009, 10:03 PM

Or, you could come on down to Canyon Lake near New Braunfels... Water's low here, too. But you can still launch out of Jacob's Creek boat ramp...

Sidsol · 08-17-2009, 10:05 PM

Thought about .. in Sept I renting a lake house for 3 nights to ride in Lake LBJ by marble falls.