Pedernales
Pedernales Falls (3.9 miles)
| Difficulty | III-V |
| Length | 3.8 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 50 fpm |
| Gauge | Pedernales Rv Nr Johnson City, Tx |
| Flow Rate as of 1 hour | 3 cfsbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | August 27, 2021 |
River Description
Pedernales Falls is one of the state’s most beautiful park 'n' huck spots (although calling it a 'park 'n' huck' spot is now unfortunately a misnomer, because of recent park regulations-- see below), and it can be run at relatively low water levels (well below the levels required to enjoy the downriver run above the falls.) Swimming and tubing the falls are strictly prohibited. Years ago, stories of park rangers hassling paddlers and even confiscating boats were the norm. However, in recent years pleasant exchanges between rangers and boaters have been the norm.
PERD FALLS IS NOT A BEGINNER-FRIENDLY OR EVEN INTERMEDIATE-FRIENDLY PLACE TO KAYAK. Only go here if you are up for a challenge. Swimming here is technically illegal (and dangerous), so you need a solid roll. Respect the park rangers, avoid busy summer weekends, and don’t make a big deal about your presence. It only takes one incident to give them an excuse to close off access for everyone.
NOTE: As of this writing, the official park policy is to disallow boaters from putting in or taking out at the falls (although you may, of course, legally portage them.) Boaters are required to hike approximately 1 mile upstream to the park boundary (there is a trail from the Pedernales Falls parking area that parallels the river on the bluff overlooking it) and take out approximately 3 river miles below the falls, at the swimming area. Please respect park regulations and be respectful to rangers. You are legally allowed to run the river, but the park is legally allowed to control access to it.
Pedernales Falls is made up of three distinct drops. Each feeds into a sizeable recovery pool, making it a great place for your first Class IV experience.
Distances and gradient measured using GIS tools in 2015. Maximum gradient is 132 fpm, measured from the top of 60/40 Falls to the base of S-Turn (0.34 miles.)
River Features
State Park Boundary
Official put-in, accessible via a 1-mile hike on state park trails from the Pedernales Falls parking area/trailhead.
60/40 Falls (AKA "Top Drop")
A river-wide ledge forms a 10-foot vertical drop on river left-- the most frequently run part of Pedernales Falls. It is called 60/40 Falls because it’s a very difficult drop to execute perfectly (i.e. you have a 60/40 chance of actually styling it.) The good news is that screw-ups are low-consequence.
Typical line: Aim for the boof flake just right of center on the vertical portion of this drop. It’s tempting to go far river left, but there is a shallow rock shelf at the base of the falls on this side, creating a likely piton hazard.
Creek line (sneak): At 500 cfs and above, the far river right line can be run over a series of small ledge drops.
The sloping drop on center right (between the typical line and the creek line) is a known pin/piton hazard and has handed an injury to at least one expert kayaker.
This rapid becomes more of a Class III at lower levels (< 200 cfs) and more of a Class IV at high levels (> 800 cfs.)
Pedernales Falls SP Swimming Area
Official takeout, accessible on river right via a 300-yard foot trail that leads from the swimming area parking lot.
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