Winter hike at Pedernales Falls

January 21, 2019

A cloudless blue sky overhead, white rock and clear pools of water to explore, and evergreen trees all around. This is winter in central Texas. The family and I recently drove out to Pedernales Falls State Park, about an hour west of Austin, to scramble among the rocks, skip a few rocks, and enjoy the views and fresh air.

Texans pronounce it PURDinALice, pardner. The falls are more of a whitewater sheet sluicing over water-smoothed limestone into deep pools. Swimming and wading are prohibited around the falls but allowed at other, less turbulent points on the river. Rock scrambling and watching the roaring channels can occupy you for hours.

Rock skipping is another time-honored activity.

The limestone of the riverbed, estimated to be 300 million years old, has been scooped and swirled over the eons by the ferocious water.

Whitewater roars through narrow chutes, continuing its abrasive work.

Sometimes the river leaves heartfelt messages chiseled in the limestone.

The pale rock makes a good canvas for shadow play under the Texas sun.

The tilted cliff on the other side of the river is privately owned, and trespassing is prohibited. Beneath the layered stone, water flows into dark caves.

A scene from the movie Boyhood was filmed here, with Ethan Hawke and the boy who played his son climbing on the rocks and swimming in the river (in the prohibited area, no less).

It’s an interesting place to explore, and we’ve enjoyed a number of family hikes here over the past two decades.

Being me, I always end up taking pics of the native plants too, like this Texas sotol (Dasylirion texanum). An entire field of them was growing in crevices among slabs of limestone.

And hanging out on the sheer sides of boulders, clinging to narrow cracks. What a tough plant!

Texas nolina (Nolina texana) is another favorite of mine, its spaghetti-like leaves cascading down steep hillsides, its favored habitat.

Along the Twin Falls trail, I spotted a natural lawn of sedge carpeting the rocky soil beneath junipers and Texas persimmons. Mother Nature doesn’t mind a lawn, but then again she never has to mow it.

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Digging Deeper

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All material © 2024 by Pam Penick for Digging. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.

14 responses to “Winter hike at Pedernales Falls”

  1. Deborah Main says:

    Great post Pam! Since I cant get out to hike right now, I thoroughly enjoyed reading about yours. It’s amazing how many beautiful places we have to hike in and around Austin. Your photography is crystal clear and beautiful. Loved the heart shape you discovered. I’m trying to improve the quality of my own photography on my blog, can I ask you what kind of camera you use? Thank you!

    • Pam/Digging says:

      Thanks for your comment, Deborah. I took these photos with my camera, an iPhone SE. It does a decent job in bright sunlight, plus it’s always in the pocket. The best camera, as they say, is the one you have with you. Ha!

  2. Lisa at Greenbow says:

    What an unusual place with all of those worn rocks. Something I would not see around here. Thanks for the walking tour. It looks so warm there as it is so cold here.

    • Pam/Digging says:

      It is chilly today, but generally we have a comfortable winter in central Texas. It’s my favorite hiking season — no bugs, bright blue skies, and low humidity.

  3. peter schaar says:

    Hi, Pam! Were you able to identify the species of sedge in that last photo?

  4. Kris P says:

    Simply beautiful!

  5. Mary Linton says:

    Hi Pam! I have to admit, I did a double-take when I saw your husband’s t-shirt. My husband has the exact same shirt. Small world in Austin. Now that we live in Dripping Springs, we head over to Pedernales Falls more frequently, maybe 8 times a year. I love to see the seasons change along with the water levels, and it’s a great place to be with and sans kids. I didn’t know that about Boyhood being filmed there, I’ll have to check it out. Happy gardening! I’d love to catch up if you ever have a pit stop in Dripping Springs.

    • Pam/Digging says:

      It IS a small world, isn’t it? I wondered if that t-shirt would speak to anyone. Lucky you to be able to visit Pedernales so often. And thanks for the invitation to stop by one day. I’d like that!

  6. Lisa says:

    Thanks for sharing your great visit. I’m not sure I ever made it there growing up, although the name is totally familiar. A great place.

  7. Heidi says:

    Never been good at skipping rocks, but it’s fun to try, something from our childhood we never outgrow! Your pics are fantastic, looks like a fun family day. I totally agree that winter in Texas can be a good time to get outside!