Mount Bonnell

Directions:
From Highway 1 (Mo-Pac) take the 35th street exit and go West (towards the hills).  Follow the road through 1 light and one stop sign, until you reach Mt. Bonnell Road.  Turn right (North) on Mount Bonnell Road thought the neighborhood (pay attention to your speed)  until you reach an area with other cars parked on the side of the road.  Park and enjoy the view.  Don't forget the city park curfew.  No admittance 10:00pm - 6:00am

Mount Bonnell is a personal favorite.

One of the best lookout points in Austin.  At 785 feet, Mount Bonnell is also the highest point in the Austin City limits.  From the top if you look to the right you will see Lake Austin winding North, the Hwy 360 bridge and some of the technology companies that have made their home in Austin.  Looking left you will see Lake Austin traveling South and you will, on a clear day, be able to see the downtown Austin skyline.  A picnic table is located at the top as are several places to sit and take in the view.  Please pay attention to the signs warning you not to go beyond the metal railing. 

Be ready for a nice hike up to the top.  Yes, a staircase is provided, however you will have 102 steep stairs to climb.
**Suggestion** Wear comfortable walking shoes. Take water with you, especially on the warm Texas days.  And a camera for the spectacular view.

Unfortunately, even thought a less strenuous trail is available (from the North end of the parking lot), the entrances to Mount Bonnell are not wheelchair accessible.

Are you curious about what this plaque says?

"Rising 775 Feet above sea level this limestone height was named for George W. Bonnell who came to Texas with others to fight for Texas Independence.  1836 was commissioner of Indian affairs in Republic of Texas under president Sam Houston.  Moved in 1839 to Austin, there published the "Texas Sentinel". 1840  Member Texan - Santa Fe expedition.  1841 was captured but released in time to join Mier expedition.  1842 was killed in camp on Rio Grande. Dec 26, 1842.

Frontiersman W.A.A. "Bigfoot" Wallace killed a Indian he met face to face while crossing a narrow ledge 50 feet above river.  1839 He also took refuge in a Mount Bonnell cave to recover from "flux" but was missing so long that his sweetheart eloped.

In the mid-1800's Mormons built a mill on the Colorado River at foot of Mount Bonnell.  Mill was destroyed by flood and the Mormons moved on West.

Mount Bonnell was site of picnics and outings in 1850's and 1860's, as it is today.  Legend has it that an excursion to the place in the 1850's inspired the popular song 'wait for the wagon and we'll all take a ride'.  As a stunt in 1898 Miss Hazel Keyes slid down a cable stretched from the top of Mount Bonnell to South bank of then Lake McDonald below. (1969)"

View looking North

View looking South

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