Waterfalls, Waterfalls, Waterfalls

We set off for the mountains on a quest for waterfalls.  I was a little concerned that, with it being so late in the year, the waterfalls would not be great, but it had snowed a week before our trip, so we went hoping for the best.  My anticipation grew as we got into the mountains.  We could see that the river was very high and there were small waterfalls all over the place.

We wound our way up and over the mountain until we spotted the beautiful Falling Spring Falls just off to the left of the road.  We parked in the small lot and walked down the path for a better view, entranced by the breathtaking view of the falls.  The river plunges 80 feet into the valley below.  I found it very interesting that the waterfall relocated due to fertilizer mining, was once a 200-foot drop.   There were a myriad of puff-ball mushrooms in the parking lot, which Chris loved.  Evidently, the moisture from the snowfall, followed by the warmer weather, made conditions conducive for their growth.

We made our way back down the winding road to Covington, where we stopped for a nice lunch at Fudge Street Cafe before heading to Douthat State Park for our next waterfall.  Douthat is a very large park with several campgrounds.  We arrived at the park office to check-in, but apparently, they have much shorter hours in the winter.  Generally, when we arrive after office hours our reservation packet is waiting for us, but we did not see one.  We found the number for the park ranger and left a message on his voicemail.  Not knowing what to do, we decided to head to our campsite.  As we were getting back in the car, a vehicle pulled up, and then the park ranger arrived as well.  Our paperwork was waiting for us at the campground.

The campsite we had picked was lovely with an angry stream running close by.  There are two waterfalls at Douthat State Park.  The plan was to hike to Blue Suck Falls and then to Stony Run Falls if we had time.  It was getting late so I was ok with only going to Blue Suck.  We went to White Oak Campground, which looked like a good starting point for our hike.  A gate blocked the entrance to the closed campground, but there was a parking area before the gate. We decided to park and walk to the trail.  Mother Nature disagreed with our plan.  The water from the recent melted snowfall was so high that it flowed over the road.  Undaunted, we looked at the map again and found what looked a better option to get on the trail a little further down the road.

I was happy that the first idea didn’t work because further down the road we saw a gorgeous lake with a beautiful spillway that was right in the vein of our waterfall hunt.  We parked in the picnic area and walked to the start of the trail.  Fortunately, this bridge was a bit higher than the one to the campground.  The water was flowing very close to the top of the road, but not over it.  As we started down the Blue Suck Falls Trail we passed a sign indicating that we were 1.1 miles from the falls.  We had about two hours of daylight left…easy peasy, plenty of time.  Or, so we thought.

It was a spacious trail, although very wet in some spots, following a beautiful stream.  Not too far up the trail, we passed a connection to another trail with a bridge crossing the stream.  We passed another trail leading off to the left.  After about a quarter-mile the trail disappeared in the full stream.  We could see where the trail came out on the other side of the water, but with the temperature hovering around 40 degrees I was not willing to wade across.  I scanned the area and noticed that on the other side of the water there was a smaller stream that we would be able to step across to get back on the path.  We decided to go back to the bridge and cross the water there.  We made our way along the stream on the other side, which became a steeper climb than I had imagined.  After stepping across the smaller stream we were back on the path.

Enjoying the beautiful scenery, we continued on the trail, excited with anticipation.  Those hopes were soon dashed as the trail once again dipped into the water.  Determined to get across, I walked back and forth searching for a possible way across.  My search was futile but we were not giving up.  The map showed several alternative ways to get there.  We decided to take the trail back to the campground with the underwater bridge.  We retraced our steps, including the treacherous steep climb, to the trail that we needed.

It was another beautiful trail that went to the top of the mountain.  At the top, there was a bench with a spectacular view of the lake and spillway.  We took a short break to enjoy the view and then continued down the other side of the mountain.  When we arrived at the campground we were not sure which way we needed to go to get to the new trail.  Frustrated, I realized that, with the quickly sinking sun, there was no way we were going to make it to the waterfall.

Disappointed, we made our way back across the mountain and returned to the truck.  We headed back to our campsite.  My entire mood changed as a beautiful red fox ran across the road right in front of us.  We went to the store and decided that the fox was a sign and we should buy a scratch ticket.  Luck was on our side and it was a $50 winner.

Once back at our campsite we quickly set up camp and got the fire going.  We enjoyed a warm bowl of chili for dinner as we enjoyed the cozy warmth of the fire under the blanket of stars.  We settled in for the night and fell asleep to the sound of the water rushing by in the nearby river.  Just as I was drifting off to sleep, at that moment between awake and asleep, the wind picked up.  As it blew across the rain fly it created a sound that, in my state of almost asleep oblivion, I knew for sure was a bear rubbing up against the tent.  I very quickly became wide awake in a small state of panic.  Evidently, Chris had heard the same thing (so I really did hear that) as his head popped up.  After a moment he laid back down so I knew all was good.

In the morning we continued our journey to see waterfalls.  On our way to our next destination, Crabtree Falls, we stopped at Waffle House for breakfast.  I really enjoyed the new Hashbrown Bowl that they have on the menu.  After we turned off of the interstate and followed the road to Crabtree Falls we stopped for a train.  While waiting. Chris noticed a sign that said not to use GPS directions.  Not to worry, I had downloaded an offline map beforehand.  We were only 12 miles from the falls, but what a 12 miles it was.  The narrow road wound up and over the mountain.  We crept along at a snail’s pace, but really enjoyed the beautiful, albeit scary road.  There was really no room for error.  The road, cut into the side of the mountain, is straight up on one side and straight down on the other.

After the harrowing ride, we arrived at Crabtree Falls.  There are two parking lots and primitive toilets are available.  Crabtree Falls cascades all the way down the side of a mountain.  It is spectacular!  It is a 1.7-mile hike to the top on a mostly well-done path, with stairs for the steepest parts.  There are several “overlooks” along the path, which is within sight of the waterfall most of the way.

At the beginning of our hike, we stopped to look at a very old family cemetery next to the path.  As we arrived at the first stop at the bottom of the falls I felt overwhelmed by their beauty.  I could see the top of the falls, or what I would later realize was the halfway point.  As we climbed, the trail split and a second trail looped through a small cave.   As we climbed closer to the top the trail narrowed.  There was a lot of debris from fallen trees due to a recent windstorm in the area.  Chris used his tactical shovel to clear one of the thicker spots.

After about two hours we finally reached the top.  I noticed that the trail continued along the river.  We discussed the possibility that it went off into the wilderness.  When we first arrived in the parking lot we had noticed a hiker with a rifle over his shoulder.  He went up the trail ahead of us.  The fact that we never saw him anywhere on the trail intrigued us.  Further research has shown that the trail to “the wilderness” is actually a trail to a parking lot with access to the top of the falls without the climb.  Mystery solved!

A path at the top crosses the river and leads to an overlook with a magnificent view of the surrounding mountains.  I truly felt on top of the world.  The walk back down was a little easier, but also a little trickier.  Wet rocks are more difficult downhill but I had my trekking pole to help steady me.

When we returned to the parking lot I turned on the GPS to route us home.  Unfortunately, I had only saved a map of the mountainous area that we were in, so Williamsburg was not on the offline map and could not be accessed while we were out of communication with the world.  Time to do it old school.  I looked at the map that we did have and surmised that if we continued down the road we came in on, we would be heading in the right direction.  The road was a twisting, turning snake of treachery for some distance.  There was even evidence of a very recently repaired washout where a chunk of the road had caved in.  I was nervous about whether we were on the best route, but once we were back in data range, GPS confirmed that we were.

As we neared Charlottesville, Chris found a dinner spot at Public Fish and Oyster where we had a relaxing and tasty dinner before our trip home.

Cost of trip – camping $39.75, firewood $15, parking at Crabtree Falls $3, 1 1/4 tanks of gas $32.