Well, here we are in the middle of Summer – the dog days. Most of the rivers are really low for floating. Most of the waterfalls are just a trickle, if not dry. And man, is it HOT! If you don’t have a pool, or a boat for enjoying the lake, don’t worry. There are still some fun things to do outdoors. Even in the low rivers, there are still some swimming holes out there. So why not do a hike and swim? During another sweltering summer a few years ago, some friends and I did exactly that with a hike to Pedestal Rocks.
You may be thinking “wait a minute…Pedestal Rocks doesn’t have a swimming hole. It doesn’t have any water at all!” You would be correct. It doesn’t. But just 13 minutes down the road is the ever-popular swimming hole at Falling Water Falls. It does get a little low without some rain, but I’ve never seen it empty. It’s a perfect way to end the day after a hot hike to Pedestal Rocks.
Directions
From Hwy 7 between Dover and Jasper at the Pelsor/Sand Gap intersection, head east on Hwy 16 towards Ben Hur. Directions for Pedestal Rocks and Falling Water Falls are in the Google Map below. You will see a sign on the right for Pedestal Rocks / Kings Bluff Falls. Near the parking lot, you’ll find the two trail heads are pretty close together. The one on the left is Pedestal Rocks, and the other is Kings Bluff Falls. You could even combine the two hikes in one big loop if you wanted. But I don’t recommend Kings Bluff this time of year. It will likely be dry.
What to Expect
The hike to Pedestal Rocks is a 2.4 mile loop through the woods to a series of bluffs. It is rated as moderate, though I thought it was on the easy side of moderate. We did the loop (without Kings Bluff) counter-clockwise. For the most part the trail is fairly flat with some incline as you hike back towards the trail head. The trail winds along the top of the bluffs with several drop-in trails to the bottom of the bluffs. There are some tunnels and caves to explore, and lots of really cool rock formations. About halfway, there is a pretty awesome lookout point with a great view of the mountains and valleys to the east.
Continuing from the bluffs, the trail runs into several spots where different pedestal rocks can be seen. They look like giant stone columns jutting out of the ground rising toward the sky. Some you can walk to, but some would require climbing down a steep bluff to reach. There were some that were a little harder to see among all the trees. They may be more visible in the winter though. If you like rock formations, these are pretty interesting.
I have seen people on AllTrails mention a waterfall. We did not see a waterfall on this hike. Either it was dried up, or it was off the main trail and we missed it. Or maybe those people were talking about King’s Bluff Falls. If anyone has more info on that, please let us know in the comments below.
Plan Your Trip
Parts of this trail have some tall grass and thick vegetation. So pack some bug spray to protect from ticks and chiggers. Also keep an eye out for the poison ivy. It is a dog-friendly trail, as long as your pets are on a leash. As with any hike this time of year, be sure to carry plenty of water. Try to beat the heat by starting earlier in the day. By 2:00 this can be a really HOT hike.
There is no cell service in this area, so be sure to make any necessary calls or texts, and download a trail map ahead of time. There is no food or gas within 30 minutes of Pedestal Rocks. If you want lunch you’ll need to take it with you. There is a pit toilet at the Pedestal Rocks parking lot. That’s pretty much the only restroom option aside from the woods. At both Pedestal Rocks and Falling Water Falls, please be sure to pack out any trash you have and leave no trace. Take only pictures and leave only footprints. Stay safe and stay cool out there. Hope you enjoy this hike and the swim!
