As of Saturday the 13th, the trail was closed because of the landslide. You can walk up to the campground and take the Hadley Trail which takes you to the Hamilton Mt trail at the power lines junction. You will still see the falls with this detour. Trail was muddy in spots and water on the trail in the rock field. It was a beautiful day! The falls are roaring loud and fast. The extra walking added a bit over 1 mile to our route, but it was an easy detour.

On Saturday we took a quick hike up to Rodney Falls and Pool of the Winds (POTW) before attending the lichen walk -part of WTA's Volunteer Appreciation Week.  The day was sunny, and breezy, and a bit chilly especially in the shade.  Hardy Creek was running high and POTW was blowing past the viewing area.  The trail was in good shape, though there was a downed tree across the trail that was easy to get by.  We then walked down to the bridge over Hardy Creek, took pictures and hightailed it back to the Hamilton Creek TH for part two of our outing:  the lichen walk.

Our group slowly walked up the closed road to the Hamilton Mt. campground while Stacia wowed us with her extensive knowledge of all things lichen.  Using magnifying glasses and cell phones we got up close and personal with these unusual symbiotic algae/fungus/bacteria life forms.  

Once our brains were full (mine was full in the first 5 minutes) we headed back to the TH shelter for donuts/bagels and hot drinks. Total hike distance for the day was 3.3 miles and 830 ft EG. Thank you WTA for a fun day! 

Stasia and I scouted out the Hamilton Mountain Trail to locate a potential reroute that will move the trail off of the deeply eroded switch back section above Rodney Falls.

For the past few years, we’ve been working with State Park Staff, in an effort to get a grant for the planning, and design work and eventual construction of this reroute. The section in question has degraded to the point where it’s rather sketchy. In years prior, we had attempted to maintain this section of trail to get water to shed off, but stacked switchbacks like these are notoriously difficult to keep water and are not consistent with modern trail design practices.

Once we have a flag line, then Park Staff will work with other specialist to ensure the route is viable, and doesn’t impact any sensitive natural or cultural resources. One status done. WTA volunteers will construct the reroute and decommission the old trail.

I don’t have an exact timeline, but these things typically take one to two years of planning, and permitting before they are shovel ready

I did a grand loop, with side trips, that starting from the Beacon Rock Campground, passed Hamilton Mountain, and extended to the far reaches of the Upper Hardy Creek Trail.

The first side trip is Little Beacon Rock. This is a great hike for people with limited range, who want a nice view. The trail is easy and in excellent conditions. At Little Beacon Rock there is a little scrambling available, with exposure, so young kids should be under adult supervision.

At the mile mark, the second side trip is Hardy Falls. Currently, the falls is pencil thin. The better view was from near the top of the side trail. The trail down to the viewing platform is steep and irregular. It doesn't meet the stands of the first miles of the Hamilton Mountain Trail.

A hundred yards further is the third side trip -- Wind Pool. This a unique, delightful pool, carved into the center of the cliff. There are waterfalls coming into it and flowing out of it. It is a short easy walk from the main trail. There is also a beautiful bridge across Hardy Creek, below.

The Hamilton Mountain Trail is very good for about the first two miles. After that there are two sections of switchbacks of note. Both have some problems with short cuts, the trail sliding off the hillside, pokey-rock climbs with no clear trail, and exposure. One thing about exposure is it provides some magnificent view. The second set of switchbacks is the worst (or the best, depending upon your preferences). (This section could use help from the trail engineers who built the switchbacks cantilevered off of Beacon Rock.)

From Hamilton Mountain I continued north to Hamilton Saddle, and continued north again on to the Upper Hardy Creek Trail. In 0.2 miles there is a "Y". I stayed right on the Upper Hardy Creek Trail. The trail to the left rejoins the Upper Hardy Creek Trail, but looked less well maintain. It is 0.2 mile shorter.

It was a day of very nice forest and beautiful views, but eastern reach of the Upper Hardy Creek Trail was my favorite mile of walking for the day. The forest was lovely and the grades are benign. As you turn the corner, the northern lobes of the Upper Hardy Creek Trail are overgrown in places, but passable. Heading consistently south, as the trail approaches the junction with the Bridge Trail, trail conditions improve markedly. By the time it reaches Don's Cutoff Trail it is a well maintain trail again. About 0.2 miles south of this junction there are trail-side toilets.

Where the Upper Hardy Creek Trail intersects with the Equestrian Trail, it takes the latter name for 0.1 miles. At this point there is a well placed picnic table, if you are feeling the urge to nosh, and the Hardy Creek Trail heads off to the left.

The Hardy Creek Trail gradually climbs, descends and traverse well above the creek for a little over a mile, until you rejoin the Hamilton Mountain Trail. From here it is about 1.25 miles back to the campground.

Door-to-door, with my little side trips and view seeking, it was an eleven mile hike.

Terrified of heights and it was horrifying and wonderful the whole time. Maybe one too many switchbacks.