Views from the Peak: A View from Mt. Bonnell Rising Over 700 Ft. Above Lake Austin

Overlooking the Lower Colorado River and rising more than 700 feet above the west bank of Lake Austin sits Mount Bonnell, an Austin landmark and popular tourist attraction.

Named for George W. Bonnell, a Texas patriot and Republic of Texas President Sam Houston's Commissioner of Indian Affairs, Mount Bonnell has been used as a popular meeting place and picnic area since the 1850s. It was purported that Milam's Raiders led by 'Big Foot' Wallace, the legendary scout and Texas Ranger used the caves beneath the summit to surprise and attack marauding Indians bent on raiding the settlement of Stephen F. Austin's Colony. Renowned author and historian James Michener lived within a stones-throw of the peak when he wrote the novel "Texas", helping to celebrate the state's sesquicentennial (150th) anniversary of independence.

Today the shores of Lake Austin, formerly 'Echo Lake' are lined with multi-million dollar estates; regardless of changes in the surrounding landscape over the years the view from above is still spectacular.

Pedestrians can reach the top of Mount Bonnell either by climbing a 102 step staircase rising from Mount Bonnell Road or from a gravel pathway which is interspersed with rock outcroppings providing for excellent views of the surrounding area. This photographer recently witnessed a lone mule deer crossing this path from the sheer westward face to the roadside area, regretfully without a camera at hand.

Mount Bonnell can be reached from the east by proceeding west from I-35, N. Lamar or Hwy.1 (MOPAC) on 38th Street and then turning left-southbound onto Mount Bonnell Road and proceeding approximately 13/4 miles to the roadside parking lot located on the west side of the road. Check it out the next time you are in Austin, Texas.