With the recent opening of more than seven miles of trails for day use, hardy hikers can get up close to the 65-foot falls fed by Gorman Creek. Hikers can take all the time they need to relax and enjoy the view of delicate travertine formations and lush greenery that looks a little like a tiny, misplaced rainforest in the middle of the Texas Hill Country.
And although the trail terminates very near the base of the falls near the Colorado River, visitors are warned by park officials not to touch the formation.
According to Cory Evans, park manager, the falls’ delicate nature comes from the way it is formed.
“Most waterfalls are just on bedrock formation and end up eroding through that formation over time,” he said. “Gorman Falls is fairly unique in that it’s actively growing, and growing up and out toward the Colorado River.”
He said the water from Gorman Creek has a high level of calcium carbonate in it. Calcium deposits bond and create travertine formations, much the same as stalactites and stalagmites form in a cave.
“That travertine formation, when it builds up, it is very fragile,” Evans said. “If you step on it or walk on it it’s kind of like walking on saltine crackers. It just kind of cracks and crumbles underneath your feet.”
Cave formations can be ruined with a mere touch, and the same is true of Gorman Falls formations. For that reason, the area immediately under the formation is not accessible, although visitors can hike on trails upstream of the creek that feeds the falls.
“The waterfall itself is the most sensitive resource we have in the park, in that it is an active, growing waterfall,” Evans said.
He said even though the springs are flowing a little low this year the falls are still spectacular to look at.
“We’ve been so dry this past winter we just haven’t had the rain to really recharge all of our springs the way they should be,” Evans said. “It’s flowing at a good steady trickle, but it’s not flowing like we normally see it. But the formation itself is unique and impressive and when it’s really flowing normally it’s really beautiful.”
Park visitors wanting to see the falls will have to take a four-mile, round trip hike along mostly level, but at times rocky, trails. A new trail is under construction and will result in a two-mile round trip, Evans said.
The final approach to the base of the falls is a little steep and rocky, but a handrail is in place, which is helpful, particularly on the way back up.
A viewing platform gives a comfortable place to catch your wind and watch the falls after the hike in. The Colorado River is just a few feet behind the platform.
Evans said that even though the falls are open for day use now, guided tours are still available at 2 p.m. on Saturdays.
In addition to providing the minerals that allow the falls to grow, Gorman Creek is also home to a strain of Guadalupe bass, uniquely dependent on the falls.
Normally found in all rivers of the Hill Country region, Evans said this particular strain of bass in Gorman Creek has been so isolated from the Colorado River by the falls that fishery biologists say it is probably one of the purest genetic strains in the state. The park does not allow fishing on the creek.
Visitors to the park often get to see an abundance of other wildlife, including deer, armadillos, birds and the occasional snake.
About 155 species of birds can be found in the park, including golden-cheeked warblers, black-capped vireos and bald eagles in winter.
The 5,328-acre park contains 15.8 miles of hiking trails and 14 miles of mountain bike trails. The park includes kayak rental, boat ramp, caving and a store.
Camping and day-use permits can be purchased at park headquarters, located on the banks of the Colorado River at the end of a five-mile trip on an unimproved road once you enter park boundaries. Rangers will supply a map and point out trailheads that lead to the falls, as well as information on other trails and park attractions.
