2. Hiking Adventures

Hike to Little Ridge Creek and Cowrock Creek

Hiking to waterfalls in the Boggs Creek Recreation Area including Little Ridge Creek and Cowrock Falls which is on another branch of Cowrock Creek.
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Jim Parham and Jack Anthony list several waterfalls in the Boggs Creek Area. The road is open but the Forest Service has closed all camping in the Boggs Creek Recreation Area.
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Jim Parham and Jack Anthony list several waterfalls in the Boggs Creek Area. The road is open but the Forest Service has closed all camping in the Boggs Creek Recreation Area.

  • Jim Parham and Jack Anthony list several waterfalls in the Boggs Creek Area. The road is open but the Forest Service has closed all camping in the Boggs Creek Recreation Area.
  • Drive FS 443 for little over a mile.
  • There are many ex-camping spots along FS 443 but now, parking is only allowed at designated areas.
  • Not only is Boggs Creek Road closed to camping but the last ( "last" meaning farthest from US 129) official parking area is at 1.1 miles; a full 0.7 miles before the trailhead to Little Ridge Creek. Park on the left just before the gate. Begin your hike by walking on down FS 443 and around the gate.
  • One of the many "No" signs.
  • Shortly, on the left, you will pass an abandoned privy.
  • The road/trail alternates between being close to the creek and being not so close. It is close here; good fishing hole?
  • Trailhead to the waterfalls on Little Ridge Creek is on the left, just before the ford of Little Ridge Creek. Before the Forest Service's budget slashing, you could ford the creek and drive another 0.3 mile.
  • Immediately, the creek begins to tease with small drops and pools.
  • Also immediately, downfalls block the trail.
  • Because the trail is not maintained, the downfalls require a bit of gymnastics.
  • Most of the time, the trail is easy to follow. Although sometimes you have to search around, just continue to work up stream.
  • BEWARE! Often, Yellow Jackets build their nests right on the trail. Fortunately for me, an animal had recently raided the nest thereby destroying the camouflage. Only a few proud soldiers were still flying around.
  • There are several small, picturesque drops along the way but the first significant waterfall looks like this.
  • This is the second waterfall.
  • Right on top of the second waterfall is this drop. The rain had begun by this time so I didn't scramble down to get a good pic of the third waterfall.
  • And, the fourth waterfall. Although the low water level and the fallen trees diminish the attractiveness of the waterfalls a bit, nothing can diminish the beauty of the forest and the solitude . Based on the well worn trail, I imagine there are times there are a lot of people around. However, today, there was no one. Priceless!
  • A vertical shot of the fourth waterfall. Except for Waterfall #2, all pics were taken with my Point and Shoot Canon S100. Too lazy to take the tripod and my 50 D out of the back pack. (Just an attempt to justify the marginal quality of the photos).
  • Return to the road, turn left and cross Little Ridge Creek on a wooden pedestrian bridge.
  • Another abandoned privy; looks like this one had a shower?
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