Thursday, May 21, 2020

Lower Ken Smith Falls

The Buffalo National River has recently reopened, and Zack and Matt and I decided to make a visit to the area to visit a few waterfalls. Of course we weren't the only ones with that bright idea. Boxley Valley was crowded with people who were going kayaking - there was a steady stream of cars heading off towards the Hailstone run. There was also lots of people who were standing around Cave Mountain Road trying to decide where to hike since the Lost Valley, Whitaker Point and Glory Hole trails were still all closed.

We decided that the best way to avoid the crowds (and any possible Rona exposure) would be to find a trail that was a bit more "off the beaten path." We decided to try to visit Smith and McClure Falls, which are located in Hawk Hollow in the Upper Buffalo Wilderness Area. Of course any trails up there were bound to be busy, and there were already two cars parked by the trailhead when we arrived. I say that this is "off the beaten path," but that might not necessarily be true anymore. When I last hiked this trail in 2014 while going to Bowers Hollow, it was still mostly a bushwhack. But this time there was a well-defined trail that ran off into the woods. It’s amazing how popular all these waterfalls have gotten, and just how many people are out in the woods now (which may or may not be a good thing).

The hike to Hawk Hollow is long - about six miles total. A good chunk of it is relatively easy, since the trail follows an old road trace. Since it had rained heavily the night before, the trail was soaked with water that created deep puddles and in some places flowed down the trail like a creek. When we started the hike the weather was perfect for waterfall photography - cloudy and rainy. But of course, after several miles of hiking the sun decided to break through the clouds. Brilliant blue skies shined through the gaps in the trees above.

We stopped to rest at a spot where a creek crossed the trail. The creek was lined with thick green moss, so thick it was like a natural shag carpet.

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We followed the trail as it hugged the bluff line, which provided this expansive view of Hawk Hollow below. You could see part of the waterfalls from here, but to get close to them would require a steep descent into the hollow.

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We eventually dropped down into Hawk Hollow, which was a steep and difficult bushwhack. We somehow missed the waterfalls on our way down, and ended up following the creek all the way to where it flows into the Buffalo River (which was running high and muddy after the rains). After backtracking uphill through the hollow, we passed by this neat spot. The tree canopy was so thick that it was barely letting any light through, and the light that did break through hit the creek like light from a disco ball.

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Heading further up the stream we passed by this waterfall (which was probably about 10-15 feet tall). It was sitting in almost full-sun, but I set up the tripod and hoped that a passing cloud would cause enough shade for a few quick photos. After waiting and waiting and having no luck, I took this sunny picture anyways since it was such a neat spot.

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Further up the creek was another neat little spot, where the creek fell over a wide waterfall that was probably about 10 feet tall. A smaller waterfall flowed by next to it, tumbling over moss-covered rocks.

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Eventually we made it to the mighty Lower Ken Smith Falls, which clocks in an impressive 72 feet.

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Most of the falls were in shadow, but sunlight was hitting the top of the falls and then streaming into the pool below. Mist from the falls was caught in the beams of sunlight shining above it, like if someone was holding a flashlight above us.

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From there we hiked up the hollow and passed by McClure Falls, but we didn't stop for pictures since it was sitting in direct sunlight. I struggled up the hill and eventually we made it back to the trail, and then a few miles later made it back to the trailhead. It is a very beautiful spot, and one that would be worth visiting again (on a nice and cloudy day).

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