Hamilton Pool

Type: Trail	Rating: (3.95)
Difficulty: (2.29)	Solitude: (2.54)
Length: 1.00 Mile	Elevation Gain: 400 Feet
ADAAccessible: N/A	Interpretive Guide: No
Dogs Allowed: No	Bikes Allowed: No
Cost: $8.00	More Information: More Info
City: N/A	County: Travis

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Larger Map

Hamilton Pool Preserve offers more to the hiker than just a place to take a dip. (Click on map for larger view) (Click on map for larger view)
Maptech® USGS Topographic Series™, ©Maptech®, Inc. 603-433-8500, www.maptech.com/topo Copyright 2000 Maptech, Inc.

Getting there: From Austin head west on Hwy 71. Turn left onto RR 3238 (Hamilton Pool Road). Head south for a about 14 miles and look for the park entrance on the right. If you cross the Pedernales River you've gone too far.

The Hike: Natural pools hold a special place in the heart of Central Texans. Along with Barton Springs, Hamilton Pool has provided area residents with a refreshing break for generations. While most residents know of the pool, even if they have never visited, fewer know that there's a great little trail within the preserve's boundaries.

The trails begin at the waypoint "Trailhead" at the preserve parking area. The path descends slightly towards a "T" in the trail. To the right lies a short quarter mile walk to Hamilton Pool. To the left is the longer and less travelled part of the preserve.

The trails at Hamilton Pool parallel Hamilton Creek as it heads toward the Pedernales River.

I chose to go left first to avoid a small group that went in the opposite direction. The trail heads northwest and parallels Hamilton Creek as it flows towards the Pedernales River. Since the stream bed is well sheltered in the canyon, the air here is cooler than just a few hundred feet away at the top of the canyon rim. The cooler air and water source provide a humid atmosphere that is perfect for Cypress and ferns that line the banks of Hamilton Creek.

Several spots along the trail allow for close access to the creek, like this one near a small waterfall.

The trail surface is packed dirt and rock. Although the trail descends toward the river, it undulates as it heads towards the mouth of the creek. All told there is about 400 feet of elevation gain on the trails.

This fellow was filling his cheeks full of nuts to store away for the upcoming winter.

Though this portion of the trail is less travelled, you won't get too lonely out there. I saw perhaps a dozen others outside of the pool area itself. Still it was possible to find a tranquil spot all to oneself along the creek now and then.

The trail ends at the Pedernales River.

Travis County is determined the restore the natural state of the land, which had been damaged due to misuse up to 1980, when it was purchased from the Reimer family. Prior to this it had grown in popularity as a swimming hole and the unrestricted crowds nearly enjoyed the area to death.

Hamilton Pool is named after the small body of water at the base of the collapsed grotto with this waterfall cascading into it.

In an effort to allow the native vegetation to make a comeback visitors must stick to the trails at all times. Along the way there are a few spots that diverge from the trail and provide a closer connection with the creek. The official spots are fairly easy to discern by the worn path and the white string tied to trees around these spots to limit damage. Please stay on the trail and within the string boundary. The scenery here is getting better and better because people are no longer trampling over every square inch of the canyon.

The trail loops completely around the overhang of the grotto. One spot along this section is quite narrow and requires a sideways shuffle.

The waypoint "Window Rock" marks a spot in which a hole in a jumble of boulders forms a tunnel that provides an interesting view of a small waterfall on the opposite side.

The waterfall at Hamilton Pool. Note that the trail passes just behind the falls.

Paradoxically, some of the steeper sections of the trail occur right before it reaches the Pedernales River. The turnaround point at the river features a bench in the shade for some rest or quiet contemplation.

Doubling back, I headed to Hamilton Pool itself. As expected, there were more people around the pool's perimeter, after all, this is what most people come for. But given the recent rains, the water quality had temporarily degraded and no swimming was allowed, which cut down on the crowds a great deal.

Hamilton Pool is formed by a collpased grotto. As layers of rock collapsed an overhang developed and water cascades into the circular pool below. The pool here is larger than at nearby Westcave Preserve and the trail here actually circles the entire pool, half of the loop under the rock overhang. The overhang is quite large by Central Texas standards and can provide refreshing shade on a hot day.

photo by J.Lavin (Photo by pixistixs)

photo by J.Lavin (Photo by pixistixs)

Logs

Have you visited this location? What did you think of it? Submit your own log entry to let others know of your experiences and to keep track of your adventures.

One of my favorite places
User: JSTEMEN - 9/9/2009 [View Log Page]
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Distance: 1.20 Miles Duration: N/A

As the 23rd palsm says, he make me to lay down in the green grass and leadeth me to the still waters and restoreth my soul...this is what hamilton's pool does for me...I've gone a few times and never have been disappointed...taking a group of teenagers who gripped and complained at first that they had to "walk" go figure, but at the end of the day, they were all thanking me for bringing them to such a cool place...going again this next week, veterans day, by myself for peace and solitude...can't wait...been a few years since I've been there and I'm ready:) Happy Hiking

Worth the drive, but a little crowded
User: Whit - 11/27/2008 [View Log Page]
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Distance: 2.00 Miles Duration: 1 minute

It's been about nine years since I've been out here - the trail seems worse for the wear. Late afternoon walk, so not much bird activity. Drought means the falls are very thin, but sitll worthwhile

Get there early!!!
User: ANDYROOSKY - 9/8/2008 [View Log Page]
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Distance: 1.00 Mile Duration: 20 minutes

This place is so much busier than it was 10-15 years ago, lucikly it hasn't changed overall. They have added bathrooms about 5 minutes away from the pool, which was comforting. The falls weren't falling a lot because of lack of rain but the water is cool. Bu sure to get there before 10 to pull right in or you might have to wait till someone leaves to get a parking spot...I rated this hike so high in difficulty because I was carrying my 3 year old girl, which is suggested because of the terrian is tight and bumpy. Don't bring heavy coolers or strollers....

Kids!
User: perk1963 - 6/4/2007 [View Log Page]
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Distance: 2.00 Miles Duration: 1 hour

Yikes. By noon, this beautiful place was so packed there was very little walking space on the 'beach' to be had. I know they limit cars, but darn, how many people were in these cars?? It really is beautiful, though. Loved floating on our tubes just under the spray of the falls.

Visiting an old friend
User: inaustin - 3/12/2007 [View Log Page]
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Distance: 1.75 Miles Duration: N/A
Visiting HP was like visiting an old friend. I had been there many times but it was usually to the pool and without regard to the "furnishings" and "attractions". This time I went with a wider perspective in mind and kept an eye on plants and creatures who make this their home. I re-visited again two months later on a guided hike provided by Travis County and they offered an even wider sense of its history and native species. It was amazing to see a nesting vireo within feet of the trail and to see a canyon mock orange, the colorful Mexican buckeye, and the red bay colony. Unfortunately the entrance fee is a little high, so share the cost of gas and fee with friends!

less crowded off season
User: perk1963 - 2/4/2007 [View Log Page]
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Distance: 2.00 Miles Duration: 1 minute

Great Swim
User: big tex - 5/30/2006 [View Log Page]
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Difficulty: N/A Solitude: N/A
Distance: 1.00 Mile Duration: N/A
Great swimming hole everyone must try it once!!

Pixies and Unicorns
User: pixistixs - 6/20/2005 [View Log Page]
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Distance: 1.00 Mile Duration: N/A
A 30 ft. waterfall into a half open cave. It's as if pixies and unicorns are going to come flying out of the forest. This is the most beautiful thing I have seen in Texas so far. A steep hike down to the pool and then a leisurely hike back to the river. Get there early as the park has a maximum on visitors and closes around 6pm. Nice day trip from Perdenales or Krausy Springs camping areas.

beautiful
User: laceyg - 6/6/2005 [View Log Page]
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Distance: 5.00 Miles Duration: N/A

User: scooterbeanie - 1/2/2005 [View Log Page]
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Distance: 1.00 Mile Duration: N/A

Non-swimming days are the best
User: Austin Explorer - 11/6/2004 [View Log Page]
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Distance: 1.75 Miles Duration: N/A
Due to higher bacteria levels the pool was closed to swimming. That meant fewer people in the park and less noise. The trail to the pool is very easy with a fantastic view awaiting. The trail to the river should not be passed up though. A couple of spots along the trail allow access to the creek's edge amongst the large Cypress trees.

Took Ehron
User: maxrebo - 6/7/2003 [View Log Page]
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Distance: 2.00 Miles Duration: N/A
Went once again with girlfriend

Waterfall, Creek, and Pedernales River
User: figment - 4/17/2003 [View Log Page]
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Distance: 2.00 Miles Duration: N/A
There is a short trail down the side of the canyon into the Hamilton Pool, with a large waterfall. Very nice. The trail follows the creek down to the confluence with the Pedernales River, and this section is less crowded. Going swimming in the river is more fun than the pool.

nice.
User: nocman - 5/15/2002 [View Log Page]
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Distance: 1.50 Miles Duration: N/A
Hamilton pool is a nice place to visit, but get's crowded very fast. At the end of the hike you come to what looks like a sinkhole with a 45ft water fall. Parking is limited.

Nice, pleasant
User: maxrebo - 4/30/2002 [View Log Page]
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Distance: -1.00 Mile Duration: N/A
Pleasant walk to Pernadles River, lots of plant life and insects