Hamilton Pool Preserve

Hamilton Pool Preserve outside Austin, Texas

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Having come to Texas from Kentucky in order to enjoy some of the warmer weather, I was fully ready to start hiking. I was also pleased to have the company of my mother, who had agreed to come with me. Mom had ankle replacement surgery last summer. Before this surgery she could not take a step without pain. Now she was taking a hike with me! It was nice. She's a senior citizen too so we got in the park for free. :)

From the onset it was quite apparent that this park is very popular on weekends. They do allow swimming, after all, and the parking lot was pretty well filled by the time we arrived. In fact, as we made our way down the ravine which would lead us to Hamilton Creek we were passed up by many other people eager to reach the swimming hole. There were families, college students and seniors all heading down – whether to swim or to just “hoof it” on the trails.

The total length of this hike is supposedly 1.7 miles as per the guide. Most of this is an out and back hike directly along the meanders of the Hamilton Creek which flows into the Pedernales River. There’s also a small offshoot of the trail which leads to the pool and you can take this once you reach the bottom of the hill and head right. That’s what we did.

The guide I had (50 Hikes within 50 Miles of Austin) describes the valley you’ll walk through as looking downright prehistoric, and I certainly did get this feeling as I went. Heck, a dinosaur could jump out at any minute - really interesting!

By this point you’ll have heard all the people at the pool and you’ll soon catch glimpses of the rock overhang (which often has a waterfall going over it) and the turquoise water that are hallmarks of Hamilton Pool. The first full view I had was breathtaking for me, and when we finally got there I dipped my cap in the turquoise water to cool off a bit. You can walk all the way around and under the rock overhang too. In fact, when the water is flowing you’ll be walking directly behind a waterfall! The place is absolutely amazing!

There were about 50 people on the little beach as we proceeded to walk around, and as we did the moss on the rocks really added to the ambiance of the place. It has a lush feel even at low water. Also as you walk there’s one spot which reminded me of caving, as we had to kind of sidle through a tight spot between the cave wall and another rock formation.

Once we’d walked all the way around the pool we made our way back the way we came. As mentioned, the remainder of the trail system leads you all the way to the Pedernales River. It, too, was very popular today. Apparently you can walk right out into the Pedernales when the water is as low and pace along the sandbars. I’m sure this was part of the draw, but the scenery you pass through in getting to this point was worth the effort as well!

We didn’t quite make it all the way. Mom started to get a little concerned about her ankle and she'd found a spot to rest while I continued on, but I didn’t want to keep her waiting so I didn't go all the way either. No regrets though. Having my mothers' company really meant a lot after all she’d been through. I had been concerned that the lengthy recovery from her surgery might spoil what I view as her greatest quality – her spirit. To have her go on a hike with me – even for a short one – was simply great!

Bottom line: this is a sweetheart of a little hike! It would be great for a family outing too, but I'd plan to get out here early on the weekends and during the summer when the kids are out of school. I get the feeling that the park could close quite early due to the crowds filling up the parking lot! And… watch out for those dinosaurs!!!

DIRECTIONS:

This park is out near Dripping Springs, Texas. You can take TX71 west from I35 in Austin and go to Hamilton Pool Road (a.k.a. FM3238). Take a left from this direction (the only way you can go) and the park is about 13 miles down according to the Menasha Ridge guide referenced above.