Scenic Lake Hamilton Pool, Texas. Hamilton Pool - surface and underground lake, Austin, USA
Not less than a millennium ago, not far from the place where the capital of the state of Texas would appear much later, the vaults of a tunnel hiding an underground river from human eyes suddenly collapsed, and a real miracle appeared in the light of day, known today as Hamilton Pool.
The collapsed vaults of the cave transformed the underground river into unusual lake, part of which is located on open space and the other is covered by a natural stone arch. Clusters of stalactites hang from the top of the grotto, untouched by the crash, like pompous chandeliers falling from the ceiling of the ballroom. A fantastic reservoir is densely surrounded by a palisade of limestone rocks, abundantly overgrown with silky moss and dotted with nests of swift mountain swallows.
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For a long time, Indian tribes lived in these places, and in the 60s of the 19th century, the land was acquired by Morgan Hamilton, the brother of the governor of Texas, the prominent politician Andrew Jackson Hamilton, after whom the picturesque reservoir was named. After 20 years, the Reiner family, engaged in cattle breeding, took over the picturesque area.
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One of the younger Reiners, accompanying a herd of cows, accidentally came across a fantastic grotto and was dumbfounded with amazement. And although the discovered lake was not of great value as a pasture, the head of the family quickly realized that it could bring good dividends as tourist center. Since then the problem summer holidays for the residents of Austin was resolved: Texan families in full force arrived on the shores of the miracle lake to spend unforgettable days here.
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The uncontrolled influx of tourists could not but have a negative impact on the state of the grotto, and then the state authorities bought this piece of land from the Rainer family and declared it, along with a small adjacent territory, a unique nature reserve.
Most recently - since the summer of 2010 to get into paradise only for money: by paying $ 10, the visitor can be on the shore beautiful lake till late evening.
Like most underground lakes, Hamilton Pool is a green pool. In addition to the fluffy moss that covers the walls of the grotto, coastal thickets of ferns, diluted with an elegant scattering of wild orchids, also fit harmoniously into the emerald landscape. The final fabulousness of this marvelous place is given by a magnificent waterfall, the crystal jets of which fall into clear waters lakes from 15 meters high.
They say that earlier many daredevils ventured to jump deep into the reservoir from the very top of the waterfall, piercing into the mirror surface along with a stream of foaming jets. Today when nature reserve taken under the protection of the state, such follies are prohibited. Even swimming in the lake is subject to special rules. During the seasonal breeding season of bacteria, the lake is closed to visitors, and special services of the reserve tirelessly monitor the quality of the water.
The picturesque place is popular not only among tourists: directors also do not miss the happy opportunity to save on the rental of pavilions and take advantage of the colorful live scenery. Episodes and scenes for many films were filmed near the shores of Hamilton Pool, including Playing with Fire, Teeth and one of the parts of the legendary Predator.
It should be noted that the chemical composition of the water here is not constant and is regularly monitored, and therefore access to the pool is not always open. By the way, even if the entrance is open, you should fork out a little and pay ten dollars to have the pleasure of swimming in this amazing pool of natural origin.
Lake Hamilton Pool (Hamilton Pool) is a natural water pool, which is located 37 km from the city limits of Texas in America. This reservoir is ground-underground, and a wonderful waterfall is located on it. The lake was formed during the collapse of a natural tunnel, under which a river flowed.
In ancient times, this land was inhabited by two tribes of Indians who were enemies. In 1860, M. Hamilton acquired this magnificent piece of land. In honor of this politician, who was famous in Texas, the lake got its name.
But the real popularity came to the reservoir only when, in 1880, the Reimers family began to host here, which acquired this land from the previous owner. The Reimers, whose homeland is Germany, bought this territory in order to graze animals. One fine day, the eight-year-old son of this family, looking after a herd of sheep, discovered an unusual lake here. The boy's father immediately realized that by properly exploiting this site, you can earn much more income from it than doing the same thing.
Reimers decided to open a recreation area here, but since it is difficult to overcome the distance to it from civilization without a car, this attraction was not very popular with tourists.
Only with the development of the automotive industry, this area began to gain popularity. In 1985, the state itself became interested in Hamilton Pool Lake, which bought it from the Rhymers family and organized a nature reserve. TO modern park includes the main water basin, emerald in color, a wonderful waterfall that rises to 15 meters, as well as the adjacent huge limestone cliffs that are located near the water itself. Minerals hang from the ceiling, which is profusely covered with moss. The local place was chosen as a dwelling by many mountain swallows. You can also see magnificent wild orchids in the park.
The fabulous pool of Hamilton Pool, along with the surrounding area, is sometimes found in films whose directors have repeatedly chosen these natural masterpieces as scenery.
Now this area is strictly guarded, there is a whole list of prohibitions. It is forbidden to bring glass bottles to Hamilton Pool, it is forbidden to light a fire here, as well as fishing and setting up tents. Pets are not allowed near the reservoir, as well as bicycles are not allowed to enter the territory.
Diving in the waters of the lake is not always allowed due to the seasonal breeding of bacteria. There are ongoing studies, on the basis of which temporary bans on swimming are introduced. The reserve is also closed during bad weather.
Entrance to the park is paid, but the ticket allows you to stay here all day. Near the entrance there is a parking lot, as well as picnic tables.
IN US state Texas, just 37 kilometers from the city of Austin is one of the most beautiful reservoirs peace - extraordinary lake hamilton pool. The main distinguishing feature of the reservoir is that it is located both above and below the ground. The fact is that many years ago the limestone dome of the river flowing into the underground collapsed, and under the remains of the dome a picturesque lake appeared, which today delights all the inhabitants of the planet.
In the distant past, two constantly competing Indian tribes lived in the lake area - the very warlike Lipana tribe and the more peaceful Tonkawa. In the middle of the last century, the site was acquired by Morgan Hamilton, whose brother at that time was the 10th governor of Texas. In honor of these brothers, this miracle of nature was named.
However, the lake gained world fame not thanks to Hamilton, but to the Reimers family, who came from Germany. In 1880 they bought the land from Hamilton and initially intended to use it as pasture for sheep and cows. But almost immediately, the 8-year-old son of the Reimers discovered a wonderful lake with an unusual grotto during a walk. The father of the family immediately realized that if you make a recreation area here, it will be more profitable than raising sheep and cattle.
But although amazing lake hamilton everyone admired, but there were only a few tourists who would like to walk several tens of kilometers from the city to the lake. The situation changed dramatically when cars ceased to be a curiosity: those wishing to admire the magnificent beauty of the reservoir became visibly invisible.
In 1985 unique monument nature was acquired by the state and created on its basis national reserve. But, since the parking lot of the reserve is designed for only 75 places, a rather small number of people can visit the territory near Lake Hamilton per year - about 75 thousand tourists. For the sake of conservation natural beauty areas on the territory of the reserve it is forbidden to make a fire, fish (large turtles and fish are busy in the lake), put up tents, ride bicycles and the like.
Thanks to such measures, the state of Texas was able to preserve the enchanting virgin beauty of Lake Hamilton. And thanks to them for this, because if the sight of photographs with this area freezes the spirit with delight, then, one can imagine, it looks so great live!
37 km west of Austin (Texas, USA) there is a picturesque lake - (Hamilton Pool). Its unusualness lies in the fact that it is both an underground lake and a surface lake, coming to the surface from under the arch of a stone grotto. The beauty is complemented by a waterfall falling from a 14-meter height. Hamilton Pool is part of the Balcones Canyonlands (BCP) Conservation Area.
The lake was formed thousands of years ago as a result of the collapse of the limestone dome of an underground river due to massive erosion. The waters of the underground river flow into the nearby Pedernales River, which, in turn, is a tributary of the Colorado River.
The pool is surrounded by huge limestone slabs, and stalactites hang from the ceiling of the grotto in places.
Until the 19th century, the Tokawa and Apache tribes lived here. In 1985, a 232-acre plot of land on which this unique natural formation is located was purchased from private owners and declared a natural reserve - Hamilton Pool Preserve.
You can approach the lake only on foot, leaving the car at the entrance to the reserve and overcoming a 400-meter descent along a steep slope. In the 60s of the last century, the lake was a favorite summer destination for Austin residents, and young people had fun jumping into the lake with waterfall jets - this is now prohibited. Swimming is also not always possible, but only when special monitoring of water quality allows it. In addition, the time for visiting the park by tourists was reduced - the park is open until 18:00.
The water in Hamilton Pool is bright green. This lake is home to small fish and small turtles. However, fishing is prohibited in Hamilton Pool. Mountain biking, camping, dogs or other pets, as well as campfires and cooking are also prohibited.
The Hamilton Pool is a natural water basin formed about a thousand years ago as a result of the collapse of the arch of the tunnel in which the underground river. The pool is about 37 km from American city Austin is the capital of Texas.
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1. Until the 19th century, the Tonkawa and Apache Indian tribes lived in this area. In the 1860s, Morgan K. Hamilton bought the land. His brother Andrew Jackson Hamilton, who was a prominent politician and the 10th Governor of Texas, occasionally visited the picturesque grotto that was named Hamilton Pool after him.
3. The boy accidentally came across a beautiful lake during his walks around the site. The grotto posed a certain threat to grazing cattle, but the head of the family
4. Reiner very quickly realized that the same grotto was of great value in terms of tourism, and opened a place for public visits.
5. At first, there were not too many visitors, since it was quite difficult to get to the lake, but in the 60s of the last century, the Hamilton pool with its picturesque grotto and waterfall turned into one of the favorite summer vacation spots for Austin residents.
6. In the 1980s, the number of tourists increased so much that it began to have a bad effect on natural environment grotto. In 1985, the Texas authorities bought the grotto from the Rayner family, and this place was declared one of the most significant natural reserves in Travis County.
7. Today, in the area of the Hamilton basin, there is a natural reserve, which includes the emerald green pool itself, a waterfall whose height reaches 15 m, and about 0.94 sq. km. adjacent natural landscapes.
8. The pool is surrounded by huge limestone cliffs that come to the very edge of the water, magnificent stalactites hang from the ceiling of the grotto. The ceiling of the grotto and the surrounding rocks are abundantly overgrown with moss and maidenhair fern, and many mountain swallows also nest here. There are many wild-growing orchids in the reserve.
9. picturesque surroundings Hamilton's pool and the pool itself have more than once become natural scenery for Hollywood films. In 1990, a number of scenes for the film Playing with Fire were filmed here. The main character Gloria, played by Jennifer Connelly, swims in this pool. In the 2007 comedy film Teeth, there are quite a few scenes filmed in this reserve. The movie "Predators" in 2010 (sequel to the famous "Predator" in 1987) was also filmed in these places.
10. Normally, the Hamilton Pool is open to swimmers, but due to the natural seasonal growth of bacteria, swimming in it is sometimes prohibited. The reserve has a special service that constantly checks the quality of water.
11. Since August 2010, the entrance to the reserve, where the Hamilton Basin is located, has become paid. You have to pay $10 to access the pool. The ticket allows you to stay in the park all day.
12. During floods and severe weather, the reserve is officially closed.15. Drinking water from the Hamilton pool or using it for cooking is prohibited.
16. In addition, the reserve is prohibited fishing, making fires, mountain biking, it is forbidden to take any pets with you to the territory of the reserve.
