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A short run down a little canyon to one heck of a Hill Country gem.


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Map Key

0.6

Miles

1.0

KM

79%

Runnable

834' 254 m

High

755' 230 m

Low

137' 42 m

Up

137' 42 m

Down

9%

Avg Grade (5°)

21%

Max Grade (12°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Cave · River/Creek · Swimming · Waterfall

Reservations are required daily from March - October and on weekends and holidays the remainder of the year and can be made online.

Overview

A short run with a major payoff. Once at the pool, enjoy the lollipop loop around the pool. If you're lucky and it's been raining, the waterfall will be flowing.

Need to Know

Open 9 am-6 pm. No lifeguards on duty. Swimming may be prohibited due to bacteria levels. For the current status, call 512-264-2740. Drinking water and concessions are not available. Glass bottles and public display of alcohol consumption are prohibited.

Description

From the end of the parking lot, run through the small cactus-lined meadow. After a hundred feet or so, you'll start to drop in elevation. The descent can be a little rough but doesn't require any hard scrambling. Once at the bottom of the descent, you'll hit a fork in the road with a port-a-potty or two. Stay left and follow the creek bed to the pool.

This section is a flat and simple run. Once at the pool, you can go left or right to traverse the rim of the pool. If you go right, you'll head through the drainage area, up around the falls, and around the backside of the old sunken dome. Just before you leave the overhanging sinkhole, you'll see a little fern and mossy section where water seeps out of the limestone. After that, you're on the beach area, perfect for sunning, picnicking, and enjoying the view.

Flora & Fauna

Bald cypress line the small stream draining from the pool. Watch out for snakes where the pool drains into the stream.

History & Background

The land was once owned by ranchers and purchased by the country to restore this fragile ecosystem.

Contacts

Shared By:

Caleb Joyce

Trail Ratings

  4.4 from 7 votes

#2692

Overall
  4.4 from 7 votes
5 Star
43%
4 Star
57%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

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in Texas

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Overall
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3,573 Since Oct 27, 2016
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate

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Photos

Hamilton Pool.... minus the crowds .... in the off season.  This is a great short trail just about anytime of the year... after summer crowds are gone is best  :)
Aug 28, 2017 near The Hills, TX
Hamilton Pool
Jan 5, 2018 near The Hills, TX
Hamilton Pool ....Feb 2017
Aug 9, 2017 near The Hills, TX
Hamilton Pool Loop Trail
Jan 5, 2018 near The Hills, TX
Hamilton Pool... Feb 2017
Aug 9, 2017 near The Hills, TX
Hamilton Pool... Feb 2017 (or maybe it was back in October 2016)...always a fun spot to hang out for the day... kids love it.
Aug 9, 2017 near The Hills, TX

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