Float the Grinders (43 miles, Gravel)

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Austin County, TX, US

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Gravel Club

Gravel roads that seemingly have no end and off the beaten path exploration of the Houston Region

70 km

548 m

This gravel route connecting New Ulm, Fayetteville, and Ellinger has two water crossings of Cummin's Creek and a stop at famous Hruska's for the national pastry of Texas: kolaches. The area is steeped in local German and Czech immigrant history.

Please check stream flow conditions prior to attempting this ride. The Redgate Creek USGS gauge near Columbus should have similar conditions.

https://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?site_no=08160800

Discharge and gauge height should be median or less for safe crossing. Do not attempt to cross during high or rising discharge or height periods. During normal conditions, the crossings are ride-able or walk-able.

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# Summary: 
***If you don't mind wet feet***, this 43 mile mostly gravel route comprises a loop between New Ulm, Fayetteville, and Ellinger, Texas. It has two water crossings of Cummin's creek, passes historic churches, historical markers, and passes Hruska's for a mid-ride kolache.

**Difficulty:** advanced due to water crossings.

**Park/Start/Finish** in either of these 3 areas:
* New Ulm: on the road next to the Industry State Bank, or on track road in front of the Fireman's Park (not inside the park, which is private)
* Fayetteville
* Ellinger

#
## The Route
Start from New Ulm, heading west out Track Road, which quickly turns to gravel just past the Fireman's Park where the New Ulm Firemen's baseball team plays. Be on the lookout for several @photo[historical markers](5544018) on this route and take time to immerse in history.

Around mile 10.9, you will cross train tracks and the fun starts begins when a @photo[train trestle](5544008) appears on your right. The road will quickly descend into @poi[Cummin's Creek](11355908) at mile 11.5 for @photo[water crossing number 1](5544005).

Prior to venturing on this ride, check stream conditions and know how to use a map, GPS, or smartphone to reroute if water and discharge rates are too high. Fast flowing water can be fatal, though in normal conditions, this crossing is rideable or walkable, with a bed of sand and rocks less than hub deep.
* **Do not attempt this route after the region has had heavy or repeat rains.** It may not be passable.
* [The USGS monitors nearby Redgate Creek and you can check the stream height and discharge rates online](https://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?site_no=08160800).
* If that station has normal or median levels or less, Cummin's Creek may be passable. **Do not attempt this route if the stream gauge height and discharge levels are higher than normal or rising.**
* Do not attempt this route in near freezing or cold conditions. Wet feet or falling into the creek are dangerous in cold weather. 
#

After the crossing, continue on gravel past longhorn cattle. The road turns into pavement until the intersection of Farm to Market 1291.

Head north into Fayetteville (mile 16.3), where there are restrooms and a gorgeous town square. It's recommended to wait until Ellinger for a water and food stop at Hruska's.

Depart Fayetteville on Ross Prairie Church Road, and then turn right on Kramr road (mile 18.1) at the historical Ross Prairie and Fayetteville Brethren Church. Continue towards Ellinger and take a look at the @photo[Saint John Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery](5544015) (@poi[mile 20.5](11355912)).

You will enter Ellinger around mile 23 and it's recommended to stop at the @poi[famed](10896105) [Hruska's Store and Bakery](http://www.hruskas-bakery.com/), pronounced “rhoosh-kuz”, for the national pastry of Texas, a kolache. The klobasniky's are good too (pigs in a blanket). Family owned and operated since 1912, the pastries celebrate the Czech and German immigrant roots of the area.

When your stomach is full, continue southeast out of Ellinger back onto the route.

At mile 26.9, you visibly approach but don't quite hit @poi[Saint Mary's Catholic Church](11355911). It's recommended to depart the route briefly to @photo[explore the church grounds and architecture](5544010), it's historical markers, @photo[shrines](5544019) and @photo[grottos](5544020). Then continue down Ehlinger Becker road, spelled different than the town, until Brushy road at mile 29.5.

You will take a right and ride on a stretch of pavement, turning left onto Brune's Mill Road at mile 31.4 until the Dungen's Mill intersection at mile 33.4. You may hear dogs on this dirt road as it quickly descends back towards @poi[Cummin's Creek](11355910) for @photo[the second water crossing at mile 34](5544001). If the first was crossable upstream, this will be too, though it may be @photo[difficult to ride on the loose, rocky bar](5544012). If the first crossing was not crossable, this will not be either and you should have already abandoned this route.

After the crossing, you will continue out Dungen Mill's road towards New Ulm. @photo[A beautiful final strech of canopied narrow dirt road is on Old New Ulm Road from miles 40.5 to 41.5](5544007). Then it's only a few miles back to the start.

# History
New Ulm was originally founded as Duff’s Settlement in 1841. In 1852, it was renamed New Ulm in commemoration of the German community from which many early inhabitants emigrated. This small agricultural community had six general stores, five blacksmith shops, and three breweries. Local residents had a prominent turnverein – or German gymnastics club (the turnverein movement resulted in the popularization of bowling) – which served as the civic and recreational hub of the community. The arrival of the Missouri, Kansas, and Texas rail line in 1892 stimulated the economy. By 1930, the population was 500, nearly the same as today. There are numerous gravel route options from town and nearby communities like Cat Spring with excellent wildflower opportunities in the spring.

# Dining

* @poi[Hometown Hardware](11355914) in New Ulm has an excellent deli and small grocery for post ride food and refreshment. It's not open on Sunday.
* The Texas Star Cafe offers amazing country cooking and comfort food (also not open on Sunday).
* @poi[Tin Lizzie's Cafe and Dessert Bar](11355915) has a small but from scratch based menu.
#
# Where to stay if making a weekend out of it
* Lily Pond's Cottage and the Blue Bonnet Cabins offer lodging just on the edge of New Ulm.
* Blisswood Bed and Breakfast offers numerous boutique houses and amenities in nearby Cat Spring.
* StarHill Farms has tranquil cabins on a working ranch.
#
# Important Reminders

* Your feet will get wet.
* Do not ride after heavy or repeat rains.
* [Check the water levels in advance using the USGS stream gauge](https://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?site_no=08160800).
* If water crossing #1 is too high/swift, do not cross on the train trestle. It's an active line (and illegal to cross), and the second water crossing won't be better. Abandon this route and enjoy the miles of other gravel roads in the area.

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Float the Grinders (43 miles, Gravel)

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