Melton Engineering and Homebuilders - Indian Creek Homes
 "Homes for the 21st Century"

Indian Creek Greenbelt (photos below)

The Indian Creek Greenbelt consists of about 12 acres of land owned and maintained by the Apache Shores Homeowners Association.  This area is in an almost pristine condition and should be enjoyed like a wilderness area.  The creek is a natural spring creek typical of the Hill Country at its best. Water can be found in the creek year-long in places as maidenhair fern will not grow on intermittent creeks. There are a couple of stretches where the creek disappears into the gravel or dries up due to evaporation in drier parts of the year.  (click on thumbnail map)

Springs, travertine and maidenhair fern abound along Indian Creek as it winds its way through Indian Creek Canyon in the middle of Apache Shores. These little pieces of ecology are very fragile and should be treated with respect. When wading in the creek, notice the colder water in some areas.  These areas are springs.  The water is coming from the ground very near where you are standing.  Be careful of the travertine in these areas.  Travertine is a mineral formation common to caves, and just as fragile as cave formations. It is found where spring water meets the atmosphere. If you look carefully near travertine you might find the spring, or likewise, where there is a spring, there is usually travertine.

Please do not walk on travertine. And PLEASE, be careful with pets.  They don't know the fragility of the travertine - or of the maidenhair fern.  The maidenhair is also very fragile so do not walk on or close to the ferns.  They grow precariously on the water soaked margins of the spring fed pools. A misplaced foot can send a block of fern and mud tumbling into the creek, not to grow back for maybe dozens of years, if at all...

The Indian Creek Greenbelt is maintained by the Apache Shores Property Owners Association.  So it is YOUR property.  Please treat it like you would want others to treat it.

(click on thumbnails to enlarge)

Trailhead and parking, Geronimo Trail

First pool below Indian Creek Road. Creek re-emerges from gravel above this pool as a spring.

Maidenhair fern

Great boulders and pool with fern

The creek emerges from dens cedar and oak woodlands

Giant Muhly grass (muhlenbergia lindheimera) on the left, ferns on the right

Nice pool and cottonwoods

Travertine Falls - coming from a side canyon. Do not touch the travertine formations. They are as fragile as stalactites and stalagmites found in caves.  They are formed by the very same mechanisms.  Spring water looses its dissolved calcium carbonate as it is precipitated quickly after leaving the springs just uphill from the formation.

Another quiet pool with giant muhly on the left and maindenhair on the right

Indian Creek Falls - these falls have travertine formations as well. When at the falls, notice how they are worn smooth.  This has been caused by the human touch - enjoying the natural formation.  These formations are damaged and have probably stopped growing, or are not growing as rapidly as more pristine formations. Always be careful when enjoying the creek that you do not tread on the more fragile formations.  Take a little time to get to know the condition of the creek bottom wherever you put your feet.  It is fairly easy to distinguish growing travertine from plain old creek bottom.  Travertine is crumbly and very fragile.  Touch the creek bottom carefully with one finger if you are unsure.