HAMILTON POOL NATURE PRESERVE

Dripping Springs, TX (30 miles West of Austin)
www.parks.traviscountytx.gov/find-a-park/hamilton-pool

Having grown up in Northern California, where a walk on a beautiful breezy beach or a slalom down a powdery ski slope are both accessible in the same day, I kinda feel like I've turned into an "outdoor snob".  You know, it's like nothing can compare to the outdoor scenery or opportunities that CA has to offer.  And now that I reside in Texas, where the landscape is void of all beauty (I know that's not completely true, but I over-exaggerate for emphasis), I've pretty much given up on finding any outdoor location that can compare to my childhood memories.

UN-TILLLLL….

….we discovered Hamilton Pool!

When we drove up to the entrance and listened to the park ranger describe the awesome beauty that lie within the park before us, I seriously wanted to roll my eyes and wondered if she had gotten outa town lately to see any real beauty.  Even though I had read all the good reviews about Hamilton Pool, I still wasn't expecting much.  Heck, maybe at least it would be good under Texas' standards.

To my surprise, Hamilton Pool was everything and more to this nature lover!

How 'bout a few pictures to prove it!

A well maintained and somewhat challenging trail leading to our destination.

 Cool rock formation along the way.

And THIS is Hamilton Pool, my friends! Isn't she gorgeous?

The trail leads all the way around the pool...

…and under this 50 foot waterfall.

We spent a good 45 minutes just strolling along the path around the pool, stopping frequently to snap a picture here and there, and to simply take in that brilliant turquoise water.  And the whole time I kept wondering how in the world my husband, who has been a Texan for 35+ years, has never been here!  

After we made our way around the pool, we decided to head back up the trail to the place where it forked.  Instead of heading back to the car, we continued our hike along the stream which led to a river.  Unfortunately, since we were short on time, we didn't make it to the river (even though it was only .34 miles down the trail), but from what we did see during the short distance we traveled, we could tell that the view wouldn't disappoint.

View from the trail following the stream.

The next time you're in the Austin area and needing a little one-on-one with Mother Nature, be sure to head on out to Hamilton Pool.  Listen real close…can't you just hear the trail calling your name?  

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NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:

-Swimming is allowed in the pool, but it is often closed after a heavy rain due to high bacteria levels so be sure to check the website before visiting.  

-During the busy season (which is summer) the pool is often filled to capacity not soon after opening for the day, so be prepared to get there early.

-The trail to the pool is only .25 miles but it involves several rocky steps and a slight descent to the pool which means there will be an ascent (which feels more than "slight") on your way out.

-There are no concessions.
-A rustic bathroom is located in the parking lot and everyone's favorite, a port-a-jon, is located down the trail a ways close to the pool.

TELL ME, WHAT OTHER GREAT OUTDOOR 

DESTINATIONS HAVE I BEEN MISSING IN TEXAS?

Hiking Devils Bridge

Sedona, Arizona
www.greatsedonahikes.com/devilsbr/devilsbr.htm

While visiting my dad in Phoenix during spring break, we set out on a day trip to Sedona to take in the gorgeous red rocks and a little bit of hiking.  Had I known any of the following points, we would have NEVER attempted this journey:

     1. Despite what mapquest or any other navigational device told us, our driving time was 3 hours instead of 2.  (But 20 minutes of that was due to a pit stop as a result of point #2.)

     2. My dad drives likes a drunken looky-loo who can't stay in his lane to save his life in fear he may miss spotting a wild animal roaming the countryside.  Therefore, he slowly drifts into a neighboring lane and then quickly jerks the vehicle back into his own lane inducing motion sickness in all the members of my family.  (Granted, it doesn't take much for my weak-stomached family to experience nausea, but my dad is a seriously awful driver.)

     3. The road to the trailhead was temporarily closed to vehicles due to a parking lot being paved so we had to hike a total of 4 miles instead of what should have only been 1.4 miles.  Doesn't sound too terribly bad unless you are hiking with a 7 and 4 year old.

With all that complaining being said, I am so glad I didn't know any of those facts ahead of time because we would have missed out on a truly incredible day!

Simply driving into and through the town of Sedona is a sight in itself...absolutely beautiful!

Finding the road to the trailhead was very easy, but since we couldn't actually take that road, we parked along the main road and hiked the 1.3 miles to the trailhead.  It was a rugged, pot-hole filled dirt road with little to no shade.  Thankfully we packed in a ton of water because the temperature rose a good 12 degrees from the time we started till we arrived back at the car.  

My munchkins taking in the view.

We also packed in lunch which we ate once we arrived at the trailhead while sitting on a shaded rock.  It was a great refueling break for the kiddos.  

And then it was time to hit the trail.

Although most hiking sites will consider this a "moderate" hike, I found it to be quite easy.  When starting at the trailhead, it's only a 1.4 mile roundtrip hike with most of the elevation gain being towards the end.  Now that last part does get a little tricky, but my 4 year old daughter and my 74 year old father both maneuvered the terrain with only minimal assistance.  

Being that it was a short hike, there was plenty of time for frequent stops and lots of picture taking.  Here are just a few of my favorites:

My dad and I were the pack mules for the trip. 

After hiking nearly 2 miles, they are still smiling!

It wasn't long before we reached the top and the views were just spectacular!  The bridge itself was only slightly terrifying at first glance, but once we actually got out onto the bridge, it was a little wider than we expected.  

Me and dad braving the bridge.

My dad and I were the only ones in our party to actually go out onto the bridge.  My husband took one look at it and there was no chance he was going out there.  Of course he said he was staying back because he didn't want our girls to go out there, but I know he has a serious fear of heights (don't mind the fact that he flies a jet at 42,000 feet.  It doesn't make sense to me either.)  So, this fear of heights is the reason our picture kinda stinks.  I should have entrusted my camera to a complete stranger who was willing to risk life and limb for sake of a good picture.  Oh well, it's a good excuse to have to go back one day.

Here's the photo I wish he would have taken:

DEVIL'S BRIDGE

 (not my photo, but much better than the one my scaredy-cat husband took)

Pretty spectacular, right?!

One of the other really cool things about this hike was that there was a short cut-off in the trail just before ascending to the bridge.  This cut-off trail was less than 200 yards and took us below the bridge for a totally different perspective.  I think the kids liked this part even better than the top-side of the bridge.

My little family under the bridge.

Unbelievably, we survived the hike with no major falls and little whining from the kids.  They were pretty tired by the end (ok, we all were), but they really were quite the troopers.  I do have to say that my husband carried our littlest one on his shoulders, in spurts to give her a break once in a while, for probably a 1/4 of the trip.  So with that being said, I'll forgive him for the lousy picture-taking.

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Even though this is the only hike I have done in Sedona (or even Arizona for that matter), I'd have to say it's my favorite!  

What's your favorite Sedona or Arizona hike? 

Oh heck, give me your favorite hike ANYWHERE.