Hiking_Texas_2Final-46

See map 36 Pedernales Falls State Park.

Distance: 7.0-mile lollipop

Approximate hiking time: About 3 hours

Elevation: 900 to 1,090 feet

Difficulty: Easy

Trail surface: Dirt path, dirt road closed to vehicles

Best season: Fall through spring

Water availability: Jones Spring, Pedernales River

Land status: State park

Nearest town: Johnson City

Fees and permits: Park entrance and camping fees

Maps: USGS Hammetts Crossing and Pedernales Falls; Pedernales Falls State Park hikers map

Trail contacts: Pedernales Falls State Park, 2585 Park Road 6026, Johnson City 78636; (830) 868-7304

Finding the trailhead: Drive west on US 290 about 24 miles from the TX 71/US 290 junction on the southwest side of Austin. Turn right (north) onto RM 3232 and drive about 6.6 miles to the Pedernales Falls State Park entrance at the junction with RM 2766. Drive into the park about 3 miles to the paved turnoff on the right, marked with a primitive camping area sign. Stop at the visitor center along the way to pay entrance fees and get a map. Drive down the side road about 0.2 mile to its end at a parking lot.

The Hike

The 5,212-acre Pedernales Falls State Park is one of the closest backpacking escapes from Austin. The crystal-clear Pedernales River winds its way through the park in a canyon lined with rocky bluffs. Falls and cascades on the river are a popular attraction on the north side of the park. Side canyons with intermittent streams shelter tall oaks, elms, and cypresses. The uplands are generally wooded with a scrub forest of juniper and oak, typical for the Hill Country.

Initially the trail heads straight south into a dense patch of juniper, but it soon pops out onto a three-way dirt road closed to vehicles. Continue in the same direction (south) and follow the signs. Most of the hike is on a dirt road used occasionally by park vehicles. This trail also is popular with mountain bikers.

At about 1.0 mile the trail crosses Bee Creek. The creek cuts a narrow rocky canyon that is lined with bald cypresses downstream from the trail. At about 1.75 miles the trail crosses Mescal Creek. A sign at the creek shows the boundaries of the primitive camping area (Mescal Creek, Tobacco Creek, the rock bluffs above the river, and the trail). Just beyond the sign, ignore the trail going left along Mescal Creek into the camping area and stay with the main trail, the dirt road. Turn right (uphill) about 200 or 300 yards past Mescal Creek and start the loop trail. The trail climbs at a moderate grade up Wolf Mountain to another junction in about 0.25 mile.

Take either fork at the junction; they rejoin in less than 0.5 mile on the other side of Wolf Mountain. I prefer the left fork because it provides excellent views of the Pedernales River valley. A little past where the two routes rejoin, the trail finally becomes a real trail rather than a dirt road.

At a little over 3.0 miles, the trail drops into a fork of Walnut Creek. It winds through dense woods along the dry creek for the next 0.5 mile and is probably the most scenic part of the hike. Look closely at the huge, gnarled live oak at the first creek crossing. A prickly pear is growing in the tree’s main crotch. After leaving the creek, the trail passes several crumbling stone walls built by early settlers.

The ruins of an old ranch house lie right above Jones Spring. The spring trickles down a narrow, rocky, fern-lined canyon. Walk on the rocks to avoid trampling the delicate vegetation. Water can be obtained here, as well as from the river, but be sure to treat it. For this short a hike it’s easier just to carry enough water.

After leaving the old ranch, the trail turns back west toward the trailhead. The trail crosses Tobacco Creek at about 4.5 miles and follows the edge of the primitive camping area. All the little trails going down to the right lead into the camping area. Be sure to walk down through the camping area to the bluffs and scramble down to the river. A swim in the cool clear running river is irresistible on a hot summer day. Be aware of the weather, especially in spring. Because of its steep hills and overgrazed watershed, the Pedernales floods easily.

The trail passes some pit toilets in the center of the camping area before meeting the other fork of the loop near Mescal Creek. Follow the same route back to the trailhead.

Although summers are usually hot and humid, a swim in the river quickly washes off the sweat. The rest of the year is cooler and even more pleasant. Insects may sometimes be bothersome, mainly in late spring and early summer along the river and creeks. Be sure to visit the falls while you’re in the park.

Miles and Directions

0.0Start at the trailhead at the end of the side road.

1.8Junction at start of loop at primitive camping area. Go right (uphill).

2.0Junction. Trail splits temporarily and rejoins in less than 0.5 mile. Take either fork.

3.0Dirt road becomes a trail.

3.9Jones Spring.

4.5Tobacco Creek and edge of primitive camping area.

5.2Junction at start of loop. Go right.

7.0Arrive back at the trailhead.