The Deep Green Gorge In Texas That Feels Like Something Straight Out Of A Fairy Tale
When you hear “limestone grotto” and “Texas” in the same sentence, chances are Hamilton Pool is the first place that comes to mind. While the mystical beauty of that ancient natural area is undeniable, it certainly doesn’t deserve all the credit. Canyon Lake Gorge is a 100-million-year-old rocky outcropping that features lush greenery, pristine water, and even dinosaur tracks! It promises to be an unforgettable summer adventure.
One fateful week in 2002, over 34 inches of rain fell in the Guadalupe River's upper shed. A flood of biblical proportions ensued, leaving behind this breathtaking limestone gorge in its wake.
Spanning a whopping 64 acres, the reservoir exposes ancient rock dating back over 100 million years. Dinosaur footprints and fossilized sea creatures laid dormant beneath the earth for all those millennia, uncovered in a split second thanks to the power of Mother Nature.
Today, the area is still so sensitive that tours are only offered with guidance - and even still, on a very exclusive basis. Available to ages 7 and older, the three-hour excursion takes visitors on an exhilarating journey back to a land before time.
You'll hike along the gorge, all the while marveling at how the water changes in terms of color and flow. Periods of gentler current lead into roaring waterfalls, the variance ensuring nobody ever gets bored.
Here's a closer look at one of those aforementioned fossils. This one, in particular, belonged to a gastropod, or mollusk, as they're commonly referred to.
Just look at how beautifully the lush trees and crystal-clear water contrast against one another. It's definitely a sight that will be forever burned into your memory.
Katie Lawrence is a Southeast Texas native who graduated 18th in her high school class with a GPA of 4.25. She attended college in the Houston area and changed her major twice (psychology, computer science, and finally criminal justice) before taking a leap of faith and dropping out to pursue a career in freelance writing.
Today, Katie writes for the Texas and Arizona pages of OnlyInYourState.com and has never been more passionate about a job before. Outside of work, you can likely find her curled up on the sofa with a hot cup of coffee, watching a crime TV show or scary movie.
