Hamilton Pool
A well-known scenic spot some 20 miles to the west of downtown Austin is Hamilton Pool. During the spring and summer this preserve can be crowded, and when I left there after my visit on August 19, at least a dozen cars were waiting in line to enter. (Parking spaces are limited, and once all of them are filled a new car is let in only after a space is vacated.)
Here you see a portion of the preserve’s most popular feature, a limestone overhang with a waterfall that maintains a permanent pool of water. In the current drought the waterfall is much reduced but still flowing, and the pool, as deep as ever, beckons to many a bather.
Following a recent pattern, the next few posts will be from this location.
© 2013 Steven Schwartzman
Advertisements
That looks cool and inviting. I could see taking a dip. It hit 100˚ around here yesterday. Nearly as hot today. But, 72˚ for a high on Friday.
Nice placement of your name in that rock layer.
Jim in IA
September 10, 2013 at 7:00 AM
So inviting that there were a couple of dozen people not far to the left of the photograph’s left edge; the angles at which I could aim if I wanted a nature picture were limited.
I had to pay the park authorities a whole lot to get them to chisel my name into that dark band of rock, but the money went to a worthy organization.
Steve Schwartzman
September 10, 2013 at 7:11 AM
It should last for a long time. LOL
Jim in IA
September 10, 2013 at 7:20 AM
HWLLLB. (He who laughs last laughs best.)
Steve Schwartzman
September 10, 2013 at 7:48 AM
I really like your capture of an obviously marvelous slice of nature.
lensandpensbysally
September 10, 2013 at 7:27 AM
Thanks, Sally. I should go back when temperatures are a lot cooler and swimmers few or non-existent.
Steve Schwartzman
September 10, 2013 at 7:35 AM
What a beautiful and interesting place. I’ve not heard of it, but certainly have heard of the golden-cheeked warbler who lives there. There are increasing signs of replenishing rains for the pool next week, as a system near the Bay of Campeche organizes and moves north. Fingers crossed.
And yes – that’s one of the more amusing name placements you’ve come up with. Great fun.
shoreacres
September 10, 2013 at 7:33 AM
You can chalk up (limestone up?) another scenic spot in the Texas Hill Country. Only a couple of miles away is Westcave Preserve,
http://www.lcra.org/parks/natural_resource/westcave.html
which also has a scenic grotto but (unfortunately for my purposes) requires visitors to stay with a guided tour.
As for rain, bring it on!
Steve Schwartzman
September 10, 2013 at 7:45 AM
After living in Austin for 7 years, we finally got to Hamliton Pool earlier this year and were amazed! One of the best kept secrets in the Austin area! Took a lot of pictures and loved seeing the cliff swallow nests.
Bob Beyer
September 10, 2013 at 8:34 AM
There are always new things, aren’t there? I’m standing in a neighborhood in west Austin and just discovered a creek I’d never noticed even though I’ve come here multiple times.
Steve Schwartzman
September 10, 2013 at 9:33 AM
Est-ce que c’est si bien que ça qu’un tel endroit soit aussi envahi par les touristes??
chatou11
September 10, 2013 at 9:42 AM
Oui, malheureusement, surtout les weekends.
Steve Schwartzman
September 10, 2013 at 1:16 PM
Look forward to finding out what kind of vegetation lurks there…. 🙂
Nature on the Edge
September 10, 2013 at 9:56 AM
Happy anticipation to you. Some small critters that lurk there will be joining the flora.
Steve Schwartzman
September 10, 2013 at 1:19 PM
Our family went there on a camping trip to Inks Lake SP back in 1993 when my boys were 3 and 6. It was early August — a sweltering time to go camping in Texas — and we were looking for places to cool off. There were catfish in that pool bigger than the 3-year-old. We loved it. Even the brief hike down to the pool is wonderful.
Kathryn
September 10, 2013 at 12:59 PM
I’m glad you and your family were able to experience the place, especially 20 years ago, when there probably were fewer other visitors. August (the month we were both there) indeed swelters, and I certainly felt the heat on the mile-and-a-half round-trip walk to the river and the climb back up to the parking lot.
Steve Schwartzman
September 10, 2013 at 1:25 PM
Deer Park Prairie is saved!
shoreacres
September 10, 2013 at 2:09 PM
Thanks for the newsflash, and a good one it is.
Steve Schwartzman
September 10, 2013 at 2:10 PM
Easy to see why that would be a popular spot on a hot Texas summer afternoon. Also easy to see why it would be popular at any time for a creative photographer.
Steve Gingold
September 10, 2013 at 4:05 PM
Yes, after seeing the landscapes you’ve posted on your blog, I can imagine you taking pictures at Hamilton Pool.
Steve Schwartzman
September 10, 2013 at 4:11 PM
The reasons to visit TX keep piling up, don’t they? 🙂
Steve Gingold
September 10, 2013 at 4:20 PM
I feel refreshed after merely looking at it. Though I wouldn’t object to the chance to visit it, too! Someday.
kathryningrid
September 11, 2013 at 10:49 AM
As they used to say on a television show: come on down.
Steve Schwartzman
September 11, 2013 at 2:01 PM