Sections of the Hike and Bike Trail will be closed through 2012. Click here for closure/alternate route information and map.
Updated: 1/6/2012
While still under construction, River Reach is open to the Mission Concepción Portal. There is now direct access by a new road and trail from Mission Concepción.
From Lone Star Boulevard this section flanks Roosevelt Park and passes the Old CPS Mission Road power plant. Here the trail crosses a bridge over the San Antonio River. This bridge has an art project involving stones coated with colorful "glow in the dark" paint. They absorb the sun's energy and then glow for several hours at night.
The trail meanders under the I-10 bridge at Steves Avenue toward a covered rest stop. It then crosses under the Mitchell Street bridge toward the confluence of the San Antonio River and San Pedro Creek. A scond bridge features subtle imagery of flora and fauna sandblasted into the concrete and stone. It is at this point that the trail currently ends just north of the Concepción Park.
Some interesting parts of a health river environment you will see in this segment:
- The embayments are low areas in a natural river system not unlike tidal pools are along beaches. During high flow times, they fill and become micro environments where fishes and other creatures get trapped and grow. They then escape during the next flood event. Since this project was based entirely on environmental restoration, these sorts of things earned high marks for environmental goodness.
- All the dams that you see are newly created. They have been clad with stone and "prettied up". They allow the river to stair step down, thus creating riffles, which help aerate and cool the water.
- There are several of these embayments, riffles, fish boxes, and backwater areas that contribute to the score.
- Just as a reminder, human occupation of the river does NOT count toward the score. Just fish, birds, snakes, snails etc. Swimming is not permitted. Sorry!
A word of caution though: SARA is still struggling to get some areas of vegetation established for erosion control. Problem is that native plants are great, but they are sometimes stubborn and so not easily propogated. Therefore, some erosional issues will shadow this project for many years. There are a few places where mud may wash onto the trail making it slippery. Please wear your bike helmet, think safety, and enjoy your new trails!
The SARA website, which publishes the latest info on bike route closures, etc., is simply routing cyclists and walkers on existing roadways, rather than on the trail during this construction period. Ask a Ranger or Docent at one of the missions for information.
