edge falls

Went there in the '60s with robert and buzz and a few girls. Liked getting in the water before the falls and riding the falls down into the basin.
How high was the cliff on the left hand side of the falls. Seemed like it took forever to hit the water. Of course I was younger that I am now. Always a bunch of folks there smokin' up the place.
Peace

I am a Native Texan from S.A. I was a teenager in the 60's when we (friends from New Braunfels) used to go out there and have the time of our life. We would sit in the creek above the falls and all the other guys would dam up the water until it built up high enough to shove one of us over the side of the cliff, into the deep pool below. I even dove off the high cliff on the north side three times. It IS a very beautiful, but very dangerous place. Even back in those days, there were always 'troublemakers', so I can understand why they had to stop letting people on the grounds. It's too bad that a few bad apples had to spoil it for everyone, but that is just one of the signs of the times we are in. It's unfortunate that I never took pictures of our visits. All the images I have are in my head, and I feel fortunate that at least I got to see the place when it was open. It's too bad our kids probably will never see something like this. Unfortunately so much of the beauty of this great State of Texas is being ruined by people who don't know how to conserve and take care of things, respect the environment and other people.

Misty wrote:

<quoted text>
Actually, people started getting drunk here all the time and causing trouble (trashing the property). It took about 20 yrs to actually clean up the mess left. To have it open to the public you have to have insurance. After a few people were killed, the insurance premiums sky rocketed and it was no longer affordable. People sneak out here all the time and it causes a lot of trouble for us. The Kendall County Sheriff's Office has gotten to know us quite well in fact. It is not just as easy as letting a few people go look. There is much more that goes into it. Plus, if we let one person go look, then everyone will start asking.

I'm originally from SA, moved to Dallas area (Arlington)about 30 years ago. Didn't hear about anyone getting killed back then, in fact I don't think I would remember anyway. At the age of 18 or 19 I truly didn't think conservation was at the top of my list of things to do. But I am sorry the place got trashed. Were we "trouble makers"? I don't know what the definition would of been 40+ years ago.

I went there a few times in or about 1972 back in the old high school days (robert e. lee h.s.-san antonio!). It was beautiful and I never have seen anything like it since.Seemed like there was a metal stairway down to the pond level. A lot of people were jumping off from the falls at a couple of different points. My girlfriend & I were just waiting for and worrying that someone was going to get a major booboo..it was easy to see that a person could seriously hurt themselves. Too bad there's no visitors allowed but it's understandable I suppose in this lawsuit happy era. I'm glad Edge Falls isn't completely forgotten and other folks have fond memories thereof.

Wow, I'm not the type to have a lot of youthful memories but I do remember going with my brother and friends from Camp Alzafar outside Boerne(where our parents had cabins)to Edge Falls. I don't remember a lot of details except that it was a special place. We would jump off the top as well-which was a challenge to some of us that had a problem with heights. But didn't realize that it was dangerous and people killed.
And I agree that it is far too sad that people these days would trash the place without respect for others or the property. Not just a conservation issue but just plain respecting other people. Plus attorneys that are quick to make millions in litigation at the expense of others. I have learned the hard way that that is a tragic consequence of our nation turning from the Judeo-Christian values we were founded on which teaches us to "love your neighbor as yourself".
But my prayers and thanks to the families and their ancestors who made such wonderful experiences possible.

They were going to film part of the movie Fandango there, but they wanted to run a car off the waterfall so the owners said no.
Kayak dude: yes, the middle of a stream is public water, but you cannot fun the rapids without trespassing. Go up curry creek, its blocked by barb wire, and if you do survive the drop off edge falls, you will get stuck further down. IE, you can't do it without trespassing.

scott wrote:

Kayak dude: yes, the middle of a stream is public water, but you cannot fun the rapids without trespassing. Go up curry creek, its blocked by barb wire, and if you do survive the drop off edge falls, you will get stuck further down. IE, you can't do it without trespassing.

Exactly!!!! Thank you!!

I went swimming at edge falls in the 60s.
My brother went there in the 50s.
We both went to Edison High School in San
Antonio. I wish I could go there again.
I drove over the bridge the other day.
The little falls was all dryed up. What a shame.

Hey Misty-
Thanks for all the info about such a neat place. I was wondering if there have been any studies on the fauna occuring in and around the falls? Would the owners feel different about a biologist coming to the falls for scientific purposes as opposed to a tourist? I'm a wildife bioloist in Houston and have an interest in the spring adapted salamanders endemic to the Texas Hill Country (such as the Texas Blind Salamander and Barton Springs Salamander of Austin), and would love to gain access to see what's there. Many spring outflows across the HC contain unique and undescribed species, and I've seen some spectacular pictures of the springs at Edge Falls, leading me to believe there is potential there. I would love to talk directly to the owners about this or feel free to email me, thanks! jtwilliams10@gmail.com

Actually, one of the sons of the owner is a biologist at a University in TX. There is at least one form of plant life that only grows here (Edge Falls). I would be happy to pass your email along to him though. Sadly, there are so many new subdivision appearing out in this area that the springs are not flowing nearly as fast as they use to due to the extra pumping. Some of the amazing springs we used to have, have completely dried up. I hope it is due to the drought, but I have never seen the main spring this low.

Thanks for passing that along, I'd be interested to see what he (the biologist) has to say. Not too long ago, in the height of the drought, I visited springs in Travis, Hays, Comal, and Williamson counties and they were all low, so I'd bet it has more to do with the drought than the subdivisions. That's very interesting about the plant species. Hopefully we can work something out and get out to see what's crawling around those springs!

Misty,
Throughout the 60's and 70's my dad was frequently stationed at Fort Hood. Some of my favorite childhood memories are of our families weekend camping trips to Edge Falls. What a beautiful place. It is certainly a shame that so many refused to respect the property and it's owners.
Glad it is in the hands of folks who are taking care of it.

Ex safe high cliff jumper loves to remember The good old Edge Falls days.Lee Hi was represented there in force on the weekend.This summer it was bone under bridge.I still can not make it down there to take pictures of the falls at there best.Anyone have some good pics from that angle?Go Lee High school 1971.