Pool Of Winds

Distance: 2.1 miles

Elevation Gain: 680 feet.

The Pool of Winds is a cool and unique portion of Rodney Falls located on the way up Hamilton Mountain in Beacon Rock State Park. This feature is formed as the waters of Hardy Creek cascade 20 feet down a crack in the rock into a small, nearly enclosed cave. Wind continuously blows out of this cave, thus granting it the name.

The hike to the Pool of Winds begins from the Hamilton Mountain Trailhead in Beacon Rock State Park. The parking area is fairly small and this area is popular, so finding a place to park can be challenging. You may have to look towards the picnic area further up the road or all the way down the road at Beacon Rock.

The trail climbs at a pretty good clip and doesn’t really mess around getting into it. Its not some crazy steep trail to the Pool of Winds, but you will defiantly be trudging uphill for the fist half mile or so. The trail begins in a dense forest with plenty of shade, but after a quarter mile or so, you will pass through a wide clearing of high brush and flowers as the forest has been cleared for power lines. At 0.4 miles, as you leave the power line clearing, you will pass the Hardy Trail that heads to the left and back towards the campground. Keep right and reenter the forest.

Following the clearing, you will climb another couple hundred feet over the next 0.2 miles or so before the trail begins to level off. There will be a couple of log foot bridges spanning some side creeks. Then, about a mile from the trailhead, you will hit a side trail leading you down to the Hardy Falls viewpoint. It’s only a short little jaunt down to a wooden platform overlooking the falls, but the trail down to it is very steep and loose. If you are here in the summer, when everything is leafed out and the flow is low, you may not even see anything. However, earlier in the year, when the sight lines are better, the 90 foot falls can be very impressive.

After Hardy Falls, it’s just a short jaunt up to Rodney Falls and the Pool Winds. The trail splits here, with a short side trail taking you up to the pool and the main Hamilton Mountain Trail crossing a bridge along the base of the falls. Head up the side trail to a cool viewpoint looking straight into the cave. The water has created a cool, deep whirlpool within the cave which contributes to the wind. Then head back to the main trail and head out onto the bridge along the Hamilton Mountain Trail. Here, you can see the other 45 feet of falls and its twists and turns over boulders and drops on its way down the mountain side.

Once you are happy and have enjoyed the waterfall spray and maybe dipped your feet in the creek, you can head back down the trail to your car. Or, if you are up for some more and don’t mind a steep climb, keep on heading up Hamilton Mountain for some stunning views!