Hamilton Pool Preserve (parking, trees, park)

[Phisch]

We hiked the trail to the Pool then to the Pedernales River last Monday. We were kind of surprised it wasn't busier since we thought it was a holiday. Less crowds = good for us

What makes the water that color? Town Lake had a similar color once, but it's not a consistent thing.





Pedernales:



If the branches of the trees along the banks are a sign, the water level was very high and the current very strong last year.

Trail:



A bit of the trail was like this. It's an 80 ft descent from the parking lot area which isn't bad unless you're four years old and your ascending after walking for just about 2 miles (the trail is .8 mi. from the foot of the descent to Pedernales, not sure how far from the descent to the pool).

There are a few more photos here. (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thephisch/sets/72157603939895277/ - broken link) Has anyone been to the park areas near Hamilton Pool Preserve to go hiking? It's so close to us we were wondering if it's worth the $75 annual parking pass.

[Trainwreck20]

I am not sure on the water color, but I think it is related to the filtering and pH changes due to the limestone. The water is fairly basic in most natural water areas like this around central Texas and I think it inhibits a lot of the algae growth, resulting in some pretty clear water; however, if the sediment does get stirred up it tends to give it that whitish/bluish hue.