The Waterfall Record

McGowan Falls, Ontario

2012-01-06T18:24:00.000-08:00

I sometimes enjoy what happens when waterfalls meet human ingenuity. It can be cool to see how the water has been harnessed to do powerful things. In the case of McGowan Falls, though, human ingenuity tends to detract from the already small falls. While the river is relatively wide, there is only a small portion that currently has a significant drop, and that is around 4-5' in height. I would be curious to know what the falls look like without the dam directly above. The one benefit is that is very easy to visit.

Directions:
1) Take Grey County Road 4 into Durham.
2) If you are heading west, as I was, there will be a street, George Street E, off of Co. Rd. 4. Turn right onto George Street E.
3) There will be a parking area on your right (again heading west). The falls might not even be obvious, but the dam will be.

Accessibility: 10/10

Gorman Falls, Texas

2011-12-27T22:16:00.000-08:00

Gorman Falls is one of those ethereal places on earth that I'm not really sure how to describe. The falls are unlike many other falls I've ever seen. They are least where you would expect them, emerging from a spring near the base of the falls. So instead of being confined to one or two paths, the falls seems to fall in whatever way it pleases.

I found the falls to be extremely enjoyable, but they are a little bugger to photograph. I found that the most photogenic viewpoint was right at the end of the stairs, taking a right. There was this clay "ledge" of sorts where you could get beautiful views of the water cascading down, but at that vantage point, you can't see the whole falls. When you try to see the falls in its entirety, which can be difficult, it seems less photogenic, as each little sub-fall is thin and wispy. So from the side, all of those add up to make it appear "fuller." It's just a fun place to explore and try to get unique and interesting pics. And the travertine (calcium deposits) only make it that more impressive.

Directions:
1) From Lampasas, I headed west on Farm Road 580, which is paved.
2) After 20 miles or so, you'll clearly see a sign for the entrance to Colorado Bend State Park. If you are heading west, the entrance will be on your left. (I think it might be county road 442.)
3) After you turn, it will seem odd. There are numerous signs indicating private property, so keep following the signs that lead to the entrance to the park.
4) After about a mile, a sign will indicate the Gorman Falls Trail. Turn left here.
5) Drive to the end of the road, park, and pay the $4 per person entrance fee at the self-pay box.
6) Follow the trail. (Look for armadillos...We came across one foraging.)

Accessibility: 5/10 (This is NOT a bad trail, but it is by no means handicapped-accessible. Near the end, it does get a little bit steep, but on the way back up it is not bad.)

Falling Creek Falls, Florida

2011-12-22T21:37:00.000-08:00

I think I have spent more time trying to figure out if there are any significant waterfalls in Florida than actually visiting waterfalls in Florida. It's difficult, since Florida is so flat. When you do a search, you will most likely find Falling Waters State Park in the Panhandle, which is the obvious winner in the Florida waterfall contest. I haven't visited that yet, though. By pure determination and hunting through Google's images, I found at least two other waterfalls: Steinhatchee Falls and Falling Creek Falls. I'll save Steinhatchee Falls for a later time.

Falling Creek Falls was actually WAY more impressive than I expected. And that was all due to lowered expectations. Of the pictures I had seen, I was expecting an EXTREMELY small waterfall. Now, I know it's all relative, but at 5 or 6' tall, it was much taller than I expected. And that can often lead to much more happiness than over-expecting, only to be let down. So, to say the least, I was thoroughly pleased, and wondered why this wasn't advertised more. Florida is beautiful and sunny, but it often seems monotonous, at least geologically speaking...so it seemed nice to find something a little more out of the ordinary. It also helped that even though it was nearly the beginning of winter, in this part of Florida, it had a very September-ish feel, at least to a Michiganian.

Directions:
1) This little gem of a waterfall is not very difficult to find. At the junction of I-10 and US-41 north of Lake City, head north on US-41 for a very short distance, only about 0.2 miles.
2) Right off of US-41 is Falling Creek Road. Turn right onto Falling Creek Road, and head down to the park.
3) At the park, follow the beautiful boardwalk to the falls (to your left).

Accessibility: 10/10 (I think a wheelchair could even do this.)

Upper White Oak Canyon Falls, Virginia

2011-12-13T21:27:00.000-08:00

In early December, I decided to take a trip to the Washington, D.C. region, and explore a little bit of Shenandoah National Park for a weekend. There are a pretty significant number of waterfalls in the park, so it was a little bit difficult to decide which one or two to visit, but in the end I decided on hiking the trail that leads to the waterfalls in White Oak Canyon. There are some pretty great falls along the trail, but be prepared for one intense hike.

I started from the parking area along Skyline Drive, and the hike DOWN wasn't bad at all. To get to the impressive, but somewhat hindered, Upper White Oak Canyon Falls, you've got to hike a little something less than 2.5 miles. There are then numerous falls further downstream, but every fall you visit adds time to your hike. (No duh, of course it adds more time, but this becomes far more obvious on the way back up!) So if you just want to see a really great, and what I expect is a surprisingly tall waterfall, stop at this first major falls, Upper White Oak Canyon Falls.

The pain begins to appear on the way back UP. Even in those 2.5 miles, you've descended something like 800-1000 feet (at least). On the way back, you ascend those 1000 feet, at a minimum, and it can be very tiring. Bring food, water, and the will to get back to the parking lot!

Directions:
1) At the intersection of US-211 and Skyline Drive, head south on Skyline Drive.
2) After five or six miles, you should see the parking area for the White Oak Canyon Trail, which is where your journey begins. It's just after the entrance to the Skyland Resort.
3) From here, follow the very clear signage for about 2.5 miles to the first falls. More falls await if you decide.

Accessibility: 2/10

Kilgore Falls, Maryland

2011-11-28T21:27:00.001-08:00

On Black Friday, instead of braving the shopping masses, my extended family and I instead went and visited Kilgore Falls. My uncle knows the area around his hometown (York, PA) fairly well, but he had never realized that a waterfall was so nearby. We undertook the winding and curving drive to the falls, which are located in an offshoot of Rocks State Park in northern Maryland, not far from the Mason-Dixon line.

After getting to the parking area, the hike to the falls was relatively short. The trail splits off in two different directions, one leading to the river below, and the other heading above the falls. If you want to get better views, the first option will be the best choice. The hike is not difficult at all, but you will most likely have to cross the river to get the best viewpoint. The river is not particularly deep. I'm guessing you will get just a little bit wet, though. After crossing the river, it's a very short distance before you're standing directly in front of the falls.

Directions:

1) While Kilgore Falls is located in Rocks State Park, it is in a norther offshoot that is near the intersection of MD-136 (Harkins Rd) and MD-24 (Rocks Rd).

2) If you're at the intersection of MD-136 and MD-24, head south on MD-24 for an EXTREMELY short distance. You will turn left onto Comfort Mill Road.

3) Head south on Comfort Mill Road for a mile or so.

4) Turn right onto Falling Branch Road. It is easy to miss, so pay attention and drive slowly.

5) Drive a short way down Falling Branch Road to the parking area that leads to the falls. This part is not hard to miss.

6) From the parking area, head to the left corner of the parking lot to access the trail.

Accessibility: 7/10 (crossing the river is the most difficult part)

Stirling Falls, New Zealand

2011-11-09T17:30:00.000-08:00

I haven't yet posted anything about my visit to Milford Sound, and since Stirling Falls is the first waterfall I'm going to discuss in the area, I'm going to include by other impressions as well.

I was so excited to visit Milford Sound, and I was not disappointed. The two-hour cruise in the sound (well, fjord, actually) was very impressive and there were a number of impressive waterfalls. As they'll inform you, there are many more after the rains come (and that's pretty frequently), but even during the partly cloudy periods, you'll still see many.

You can see many of the falls at once, and Stirling Falls is likely to be one of the last that you visit on your cruise. It's a really great waterfall, and you're almost guaranteed to get a very close look. And by close, I mean close. Our boat navigated so that a portion of it was under the falls. It was just cool enough outside that I didn't readily rush into nature's cold shower, but it was still memorable!

Directions:
1) From Te Anau, head north on NZ-94 to its very end at Milford Sound. (From mid-May to October, you may want to check to make sure that the road is open to Milford Sound...It can close randomly, or snow chains may also be required.)
2) At Milford Sound, park, head to the cruise area and board your cruise.

Accessibility: 10/10

Middle Hungarian Falls #3, Michigan

2011-11-03T21:34:00.000-07:00

Middle Hungarian Falls #3 is the least exciting of all of the waterfalls on or near the Hungarian River. Even when the other falls are at their highest flows, this one is still pretty insignificant, as the picture from May 2009 shows below. This small little fall is not on the main river/creek, but a very small offshoot. You may not even notice this as you're waking along. It was a while ago, but I do remember it being visible from a wooden plank that crosses the Hungarian River.

Directions:
1) You’ll be driving along M-26 toward Hubell, MI.
2) In the outskirts of Hubell (if there can be outskirts in such a small town), turn onto Sixth Street.
3) Sixth Street will dead end, but to the left is a dirt road named Golf Course Rd. Take the road to the left.
4) You will go up a hill, and the road will flatten out a little bit.
5) Here’s the confusing part…As you’re driving on Golf Course Road, you will pass a number of dirt roads on the left. I got confused by the directions I was following and ended up turning onto the first road ON THE LEFT after a pile of rubble and a gate. The connection to the road was not even, so go slowly!
6) From there, I headed down that road to the end, where there is a turn-around. Park here.
7) From here, you will connect onto the trail to your right. Where I parked, if I walked straight instead of to the right, I hit what looked like the remains of an old bridge…
8 ) From this trail, you will end up passing the Lower Falls first. Then you will come to the first Middle Hungarian Falls. All of the falls can be viewed from this trail, some better than others.

Accessibility: 6/10

Ribbon Falls, California

2011-10-23T22:21:00.000-07:00

All right, let's play a game...Ribbon Falls is: __________. ethereal...fleeting...stunning. You choose your own words to describe what may be one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Yosemite National Park that you may never notice.

Ribbon Falls is almost guaranteed to disappear early on in the year, only undergo rebirth every year. The wispy falls aren't gargantuan, even after the snow melt in early May. They're wispy, blown away by the wind. I guess I must have been lucky when I saw the falls. Though it was mid-May, it had just snowed that night. The leaves were emerging from their winter sleep, and instead of deciduous greens, there were intense oranges and yellows juxtaposed with the green conifers still draped with snow. Clouds had descended on the valley, hiding the amazing Yosemite viewpoints, but this had the unintentional effect of deceiving the viewer. The falls appeared to emerge from the clouds themselves. It was a truly stunning and spectacular view.

Directions:
1) In late April and early May, the best choice of roads is likely CA-140. (I was on CA-120, and discovered after some distance that the road was closed near the park entrance, and had to take an alternative route). Call (209)-372-0200 for current road conditions.
2) Head east along CA-140 from Merced/Mariposa to the entrance for the park.
3) At the entrance, you will need to pay the $20 entrance fee, which is good for 7 days.
4) The best viewpoint for the falls seems to be from a pullout on the Southside Drive as you're entering the loop. Look to your left to view the falls.

Accessibility: 10/10

Falls Creek Falls, Alaska

2011-10-16T21:58:00.000-07:00

There are a number of interesting drops along the Alaska coastline that don't get frequently mentioned. I understand that they are not always that large, but they are still very easy to visit, so why not do so.

One such example is Falls Creek Falls, which is right off of the Seward Highway south of Anchorage in Chugach State Park. I think I pulled off on a whim to see whether there was any significant waterfall, and there is something there. It would probably be better described as a cascade. There is a trail that climbs almost 3000' feet in about 2.7 miles, and while I had no wish to do that, you will still get a great view of some idyllic cascades. Even with out the cascades, the area along the Alaska shoreline is intensely beautiful.

Directions:
1) You'll be driving along the Seward Highway, and inside the Chugach State Park boundaries, there is a small pulloff with room for about four cars. This is the trail for Falls Creek. It is somewhat more obvious when heading north along the highway.

Accessibility: 10/10

Hidden Falls, Minnesota

2011-10-15T23:06:00.000-07:00

I arrived in Minneapolis yesterday, and have been exploring the area. It must be pretty dry around the area currently, as a number of the waterfalls I've visited have had very low flow. Oh well, it was a very enjoyable day, so I can't complain too much.

Hidden Falls is the first waterfall I visited in the area. I didn't have much difficulty getting to Hidden Falls Park, but I then had a little bit of difficulty finding the falls themselves. There's no sign that clearly directs you to the falls. One set of directions I read about afterwards would have led me in a different direction that I expected. Once I found the falls, they reminded me of other areas where the falls have a lot of remnants of human touches. The falls in the area are much more urbanized than the Minnesota waterfalls along the North Shore.

Directions:
1) The entrance to Hidden Falls Park is directly off of Magoffin Avenue.
2) As you enter the park, you'll head downhill for a distance. Park at the first parking area you see. There are other parking areas that lead you to the Mississippi River.
3) You'll know you're in the right place if you see a set of three or four buildings/"gazebos".
4) The most obvious trail does not lead you to the falls. Instead, the trail to the falls is hidden behind those buildings, and there is no sign indicating the trail to the falls.
5) Walk behind the buildings, and you should see a wide trail leading to the falls. There should be a lot of rock walls as you head toward the falls.

Accessiblity: 10/10

Waterfall in Watkins Glen SP, New York

2011-10-13T20:25:00.000-07:00

The last post about Watkins Glen State Park was a while ago, so I might as well take a little time to inform you again about this really interesting state park with numerous waterfalls. Right inside the city of Watkins Glen is the state park of the mentioned glen. When you can visit, you'll be introduced to a number of different waterfalls with very different personalities. The problem happens to be that you can't always visit. When my dad and I visited in early May, the state park system was still cleaning up the damage that had occurred during the winter. (It seems to be an expected event in many of the glens.) At least there's a sense of placing safety first here.

There are some really impressive waterfalls in the park, and then there are some smaller drops that aren't necessarily the most interesting, but they can still be rather cool. Often, the rock formations around the falls are the nifty part. This specific drop is one of those smaller drops that hasn't been named, but it should still be recognized.

Directions:
1) Watkins Glen State Park is directly off of NY-14 in Watkins Glen.
2) Pay the state park entrance fee, and then park.
3) Rainbow Falls can be seen from the Gorge Trail or the Rim Trail.

Accessibility: 9/10

Pedernales Falls, Texas

2011-09-22T19:46:00.000-07:00

Pedernales Falls is one of the larger waterfalls in Texas, a very large state without a lot of waterfalls. The falls are pretty wide, but not considerably tall. When I visited in January 2011, there wasn't a huge amount of water flowing over the falls, but I'm under the impression the flow might be even lower currently (in summer/fall 2011). There has been a drought in Texas, and warnings on the Pedernales Falls facebook page have talked about wildfires nearby.

When you visit at a time when there is water, it's very pleasant. It was warm, but not outrageously so. If you don't live in the area, choose your visit carefully, though. Of the three days I was in the area, two of those days were not open to everyone because of scheduled hunts. If I remember correctly, they are scheduled on the weekends, and it's a good idea to check the Texas state parks website.

Directions:

1) Head west out of Austin on US-290.

2) After some distance, you'll see a sign for Pedernales Falls State Park. Turn right onto Ranch Road 3232.

3) Head north for about 9 miles to the entrance. I think there's a fee to enter the park.

4) Head to the parking area. A trail there heads directly to the falls.

Accessibility: 9/10

Royal Arch Cascades, California

2011-09-21T20:40:00.000-07:00

Royal Arch Cascades is one of those waterfalls in Yosemite National Park that you could miss VERY easily. If you show up from July to March, you might not see the falls at all. By July, I understand that the cascades have usually disappeared. Your best time to visit is May and June. I visited in mid-May, and the falls were definitely flowing.

Even when there in May or June, you may again miss the falls if you're not looking. The major attraction is obviously Yosemite Falls, and even though you only have to look some distance to the right, it's not as popular. I guess that could be because, while it is very tall, it is not as tall nor as powerful as Yosemite Falls. Still, you can add it to the checklist simply by turning your head.

Directions:
1) In late April and early May, the best choice of roads is likely CA-140. (I was on CA-120, and discovered after some distance that the road was closed near the park entrance, and had to take an alternative route). Call (209)-372-0200 for current road conditions.
2) Head east along CA-140 from Merced/Mariposa to the entrance for the park.
3) At the entrance, you will need to pay the $20 entrance fee, which is good for 7 days.
4) The Royal Arch Cascades can be seen in the distance from the same meadow where you can also view Yosemite Falls. You may also be able to get closer by heading down Ahwahnee Road...

Accessibility: 10/10

Looking Glass Falls, North Carolina

2011-09-19T18:24:00.000-07:00

Looking Glass Falls just so happens to be one of my favorite waterfalls in North Carolina, though there are a number of other equally impressive falls in the state. Looking Glass Falls is found in Pisgah National Forest in the waterfall-infested Transylvania County. The first plus is that is very easy to visit, being found right off of US-276. The drive to the falls is amazingly beautiful, even in the time just before spring.

Once you get to the falls, you have two options. The first option is to view the falls without much effort. It is disability accessible when not going to the base. Even from this viewpoint, it's impressive. If you have the option of heading down the base, you definitely should. From here, you can get some great shots of the falls. The rock hanging to the upper right of the falls is uniquely interesting, and the shadows that form on the falls make this a gem.

Directions:
1) From Brevard, drive north on US-276.
2) After about 5.5 miles you'll pass the pullout/parking for Looking Glass Falls.
3) Pull off on the right, park, and head to the falls.

Accessibility: 10/10

Even Lower Hungarian Falls, Michigan

2011-09-14T19:21:00.000-07:00

Below Lower Hungarian Falls, there are a number of smaller drops on the river that are interesting to view. These can only be viewed by making the very crazy choice to head down in to the gorge itself. It was definitely not the easiest hike I have ever done. After jumping from the riverbank onto logs, and then rock-hopping for a ways, you will reach these falls. The return journey is no simpler.

This specific waterfall is about 7-8' tall, and comes in two separate drops. I think there are a few others. You might be able to tell there's a third drop almost hidden by a log.

Directions:
1) You'll be driving along M-26 toward Hubell, MI.
2) In the outskirts of Hubell (if there can be outskirts in such a small town), turn onto Sixth Street.
3) Sixth Street will dead end, but to the left is a dirt road named Golf Course Rd. Take the road to the left.
4) You will go up a hill, and the road will flatten out a little bit.
5) Here's the confusing part...As you're driving on Golf Course Road, you will pass a number of dirt roads on the left. I got confused by the directions I was following and ended up turning onto the first road ON THE LEFT after a pile of rubble and a gate. The connection to the road was not even, so go slowly!
6) From there, I headed down that road to the end, where there is a turn-around. Park here.
7) From here, you will connect onto the trail to your right. Where I parked, if I walked straight instead of to the right, I hit what looked like the remains of an old bridge...
8) From this trail, pay close attention. If you want to enter the gorge itself, you may notice a narrow dirt trail that leads downhill. This will lead you to the rock-hopping adventure I experienced.

Accessibility: 2/10

Amnicon Falls #1, Wisconsin

2011-09-11T21:03:00.000-07:00

All of the different waterfalls in Amnicon Falls State Park are rather complex to explain. For a smaller park, there is a lot of exploring to do. As you circle around, you'll be surprised at how many falls you can find hidden around unexpected bends. On the Amnicon River, there are a number of named falls, including Upper Falls, Lower Falls, and Snake Pit Falls. Upstream of these falls are many unnamed drops. This falls is one of them.

None of the upstream drops are significantly big, though they are often very photogenic. When I visited in mid-May, it was rather chilly outside, and it was snowing on-and-off. Even though spring had arrived, there wasn't a significant amount of water flowing in the river. At the right time, the river might be raging.

Directions:
1) From Duluth/Superior, head east on US-2.
2) Just after the intersection of US-2 with WI-53, you’ll notice a sign indicating that Amnicon Falls State Park is coming very soon.
3) At the sign indicating the park, turn left onto County Road U.
4) After a very short distance on County Road U, you will find the entrance for the state park. Stop and purchase a day pass if you need one. The ranger at the visitor’s center was extremely helpful at directing me to the falls and telling me how to get to Pattison State Park.
5) Right near the visitor center, you can head right down a rather narrow park road to the end of the road, where you’ll find a parking area just a few feet from the river. Head upstream to find the unnamed falls.

Accessibility: 9/10 (more for the confusing loop of trails than anything else)

Swallow Falls, Maryland

2011-08-30T22:20:00.000-07:00

Swallow Falls is the namesake of Swallow Falls State Park, and it's not a half-bad waterfall. In the park, there are three waterfalls, the others being the impressive Muddy Creek Falls, and the smaller Tolliver Falls. I'm not sure whether I enjoyed Swallow Falls as much, but that may have been due to the lighting conditions at the time.

Whereas Muddy Creek Falls was at angle where the sun didn't cause problems, Swallow Falls was more difficult to photograph at the time of day that I visited. The sun was intense enough that it was washing out much of the interesting features surrounding the falls. I also visited in late October, when I'm assuming that there is a lower flow. In March or April, this falls might be more impressive. Still, at these water levels, it was pretty easy to explore at river level and try to get interesting shots at different vantage points.

Directions:
1) I took a very roundabout way from Virginia (passing through West Virginia) to reach these falls, so it might be more advisable to visit the following site for multiple routes.
Maryland DNR

Accessibility: 10/10

Lancaster Falls, Oregon

2011-08-26T20:13:00.001-07:00

Starting at Starvation Creek State Park's parking area, there are three waterfalls in a line (4 including Starvation Creek Falls, which is left from the parking area). The first is Cabin Creek Falls. The second is Hole in the Wall Falls. The final waterfall on the trail (at least before you starting climbing uphill) is Lancaster Falls.

Lancaster Falls is much taller than it appears, but it is almost impossible to get a view of the portion of the falls upstream. If I remember correctly, to get to the falls, you do have more of an uphill climb. Also, you may notice from the falls crosses the trail, though you don't have to cross the creek if you just want to get a photograph from the left. The view from the right was impressive.

Directions:
1) From I-84, heading EAST, exit at the sign for Starvation Creek State Park. It's 15 miles (?) distance from the more commonly known falls west of this park.
2) As you pull off, the parking area for the park is directly in front of you. There are a number of spaces, but they do fill up quickly.
3) From the parking area, head west along the trail that follows I-84. You'll actually be pretty close to I-84 at points. The first waterfall you'll encounter heading west is Cabin Creek Falls. The second falls is Hole in the Wall Falls. The final falls is Lancaster Falls.

Accessibility: 6/10

Elakala Falls #1, West Virginia

2011-08-24T19:12:00.000-07:00

There are four significant drop on Shay's Run that make up the whole of Elakala Falls. As I read up on the falls, I got the sense that it was more difficult to view the falls than people imagined.

Let me say that visiting the first falls is nowhere near as difficult as it seems. From the trailhead, you can very easily get to the bridge above the falls. To get a better view of the falls, you will have to head downhill a bit, but it's not too bad. You'll be rewarded with a really gentle but beautiful waterfall. I admit, to see the other 2 "easy to visit" falls downstream does require some effort, but it's not nearly as impossible as people indicate.

Directions:
1) Head toward Davis/Thomas, WV on WV-32. Once in either town, you should see signs for Blackwater Falls State Park. Follow the signs!
2) Instead of heading toward Blackwater Falls proper, head toward the Blackwater Lodge.
3) Park in the parking area for Blackwater Lodge near the left edge of the lodge (if you're viewing it from the front). If you walk just a few feet from the parking lot, you should find the trail leading to the falls.
4) After a short distance, you will find a bridge crossing Shay's Run, and you'll be able to see the first falls. Cross the bridge. It is much less complicated to hike down that side of the river, as there is a clearer trail there.

Accessibility: 8/10

Wairere Falls, New Zealand

2011-08-22T19:58:00.000-07:00

Wairere Falls is a very impressive waterfall on the North Island that requires some effort to visit, though I guess you could cheat! If you've been paying close attention as you approach the parking area to the falls, you should notice the upper portion of the waterfall in plain sight. You don't see the lower portion of the falls, but if you just wanted to get a glimpse, you don't even have to hike. But what would be the fun in that?

The hike to the falls is not easy, but as usual, it's all in the eye of the beholders. I've been on hikes that are much more strenuous than this one, but you will still feel out of breath at the end, and you'll like be sweating up a storm. The first half of the hike only took me about 20 minutes, and is actually rather flat. The second half is where you begin to climb uphill. Pace yourself, and definitely bring something to drink. There are a lot of stairs to climb. Seeing the falls from afar in the parking area gives the sense that you're not that far away, but in reality, due to all of the winding, you are more distant than you think. The second half still only took about 25-30 minutes.

Once you're there, enjoy the falls! There was a unique smell associated with the falls, and it was very cool to watch the intense wind blow parts of the falls back upward. Once you are done, you can be consoled in the fact that the downward return is nowhere near as strenuous. Along the way up or down, you may want to spend some time with the very interesting cascades below the falls along the creek. At high flow, these cascades can be very photogenic.

Directions:
1) As usual, there are many different ways to arrive at the falls. I came from Rotorua, and so these are the general directions I took, at least from NZ state highway 29.
2) From NZ-29 head north on Tauranga Road (aka NZ-24).
3) After a few miles, you'll come to Old Te Aroha Road. Take a right onto Old Te Aroha Road instead of continuing on NZ-24.
4) After 10-12 miles (very approximate), you'll come to Goodwin Road on your right. Take a sharp right onto Goowdin Road. I think there might be a sign there indicating Wairere Falls.
5) Head to the very end of Goodwin Road to the parking area.
6) From there, it's pretty self explanatory. You can extend the hike to the top of the falls if you wish.

Accessibility: 4/10

Ocqueoc Falls, Michigan

2011-08-20T22:49:00.001-07:00

The first time I visited Ocqueoc Falls was in March a few years ago. The snow was still relatively deep at that point, though not deep enough that we couldn't get to the falls. It's one of the few waterfalls I've visited where snow is still present on the falls itself. Since the falls are smaller, there really isn't any amazing ice structure that forms. It's actually surprisingly peaceful, as long as you can feel your toes!

I later went back to visit the falls, which have the distinction of being one of two known waterfalls in the Lower Peninsula of Michigan. (The other, recently "discovered", is found in the Manistee National Forest.) In the summer, a different personality of the falls was present. I realized then that no single drop is considerably large, though the river is 20' wide or so. It is a great place for people to relax and play in the falls. Forest trails also start near the falls, and there are many hiking opportunities here.

Directions:
1) There are honestly a number of different ways to get to the falls, since the road system around the falls is rather "complete." You're looking for for Ocqueoc Falls Highway, which is very near M-68 in Presque Isle County.
2) From US-23 in Rogers City, you can head west on M-68 for a few miles. At some point, M-68 will veer toward your left, while Ocqueoc Falls Highway will be straight ahead.
3) Go straight (take the right fork) onto Ocqueoc Falls Highway. From there, the park will be on your right.
4) After parking, head along the short trail to the falls.

Accessibility: 10/10

Lowell Creek Falls, Alaska

2011-08-11T21:05:00.000-07:00

I was on the Kenai Fjords Cruise, and on the return journey, I looked to my left, and low and behold there was this pretty impressive waterfall off in the distance. Now, even after searching for information about waterfalls in Alaska on the internet, I really didn't find any information about a waterfall in Alaska. That really isn't surprising, as not many waterfalls of Alaska are listed online.

The lucky part about this waterfall is just how easy it is to get to, once you know where you're headed. From the center of Seward, if you head south along the main road, you'll come to a single road that leads further south. It doesn't look like it leads anywhere impressive, but I think it does actually lead to some interesting spots. Just a short distance down this road, though, and you can find Lowell Creek Falls. In late May, it was pretty impressive. I thought that maybe it was a man-made waterfall due to its surroundings, but it appears that it is a true waterfall that has been altered slightly to ensure that road erosion hasn't occurred.

Accessibility:
1) From Seward, head south on AK-9.
2) At the end of AK-9, turn right onto Lowell Point Road. It's really the only road you can turn onto.
3) After just a short distance, you should come to the falls!

Accessibility: 10/10

Rosebush Creek Falls, Minnesota

2011-08-09T21:49:00.000-07:00

Rosebush Creek Falls, also known as Falls River Falls, is a very photogenic waterfall that is also easily accessible. It's not very widely advertised, though, likely due to the fact that it's not very tall or wide.

And yet, I think it is one of the more impressive waterfalls along MN-61 on the North Shore of Minnesota. The iron-red colors on the rock accentuate the gently-flowing waterfall. There are very colorful shots to be had here. It's almost the opposite of the waterfalls in Oregon, where the rocks are all green. Here the rocks are red without much hint of green life on the rocks. Stop and take a look at this smaller waterfall. It's likely you'll be the only person there, and yet it's so easy to get to.

Directions:
1) Heading southwest from Grand Marais, drive for 2 miles on MN-61. You're looking for mile-marker 107.
2) Around mile marker 107, you will likely see a gravel pit, and just south of that is the Falls River (also known as Rosebush Creek). You can park at the gravel pit or you can park just north of the river on the east side of the ride.
3) From there, look for the Falls River, and right near the river, you should see a trail heading toward Lake Superior. Follow this trail for a short distance, and you should find the falls.

Accessibility: 9/10

Big Manitou Falls, Wisconsin

2011-08-08T20:26:00.000-07:00

Big Manitou Falls is big. It has the distinction of being one of the tallest waterfalls in the region that includes Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, and possibly even the Lake Superior watershed. At 165' tall, it's not shabby.

Now, the unlucky thing about Big Manitou Falls...The views really aren't truly spectacular. There's no obvious (or SAFE) way to get to the base of the falls, and the view from the left side of the river, while good, are not top notch. I think from the major viewpoint, you can't get a real sense of how tall the falls are. There are trails on the right side of the river, but they don't seem to lead anywhere important. Oh well, it's still a nice waterfall. Check out the smaller, but equally impressive, Little Manitou Falls.

Directions:
There are multiple ways to access the falls.
A) From US-2/US-53 in Superior, head south on WI-35 for 13 miles, following the signs to Pattison State Park. The parking lot for Little Manitou Falls will be on your left (if you're heading south), and the sign is angled in such a way that it can be hard to recognize at first.
B) If you're coming from Amnicon Falls, which is relatively nearby, ask for directions from the park ranger. They are very helpful in letting you know which roads to avoid. Signs along the way will help you get to Pattison State Park.

Accessibility: 10/10

Vernal Falls, California

2011-07-31T21:59:00.000-07:00

You can find all of the information you need about Vernal Falls on the internet, but one place I read about it was in the book "Easy Hikes Through Yosemite." I feel there are some things I should say about the hike to the falls.

First off, it's not as easy as it seems. There are much easier hikes in the park. If you are handicapped or have difficulties walking, this is not the hike for you. It's 1.5 miles, and it's consistently UPHILL the way there. Bring water, as you'll be panting. And there's another conundrum here...When I first started out, it was chilly. As I started hiking uphill, I became much warmer. Wear layers that can easily be removed!!! If it suddenly gets colder, you won't be completely shocked.

Second, the book I had only suggested hiking to the bridge, which is a beautiful point to stop, but you really can't get an up-close view of the falls from here. If you're up for it, continue along the trail to the base of the falls. You've already come this far, and the extra distance isn't any different in terms of terrain. I think it might have been easier as there were steps along that portion. Near the end, there are a lot of steps, but caution is required. There are pretty large drops as you start climbing upwards. In mid-May, it was VERY wet...It had just snowed a few hours before, and the trail was slippery. Wear good shoes!

*Nevada Falls can be accessed by a longer hike continuing along the Mist Trail. I was already hot and sweaty just from the first hike, and hadn't really eaten much and so I decided against the longer hike. I'm under the impression that the second portion of trail between Vernal and Nevada Falls is more difficult, just considering the elevation changes listed between the two falls.

Directions:
1) In late April and early May, the best choice of roads is likely CA-140. (I was on CA-120, and discovered after some distance that the road was closed near the park entrance, and had to take an alternative route). Call (209)-372-0200 for current road conditions.
2) Head east along CA-140 from Merced/Mariposa to the entrance for the park.
3) At the entrance, you will need to pay the $20 entrance fee, which is good for 7 days.
4) Continue through the park. When I visited in mid-May, it was possible to drive to a parking area nearby the Happy Isles area. Head toward Camp Curry, and you'll find a parking area on your right. Otherwise, when the park gets busier, park in one of the designated parking lots and take the shuttle bus to stop 16 (Happy Isles), and start from there.
5) Head toward the Mist Trail to Vernal and Nevada Falls. Then follow the signs.

Accessibility: 5/10

Bumpers Falls, Arkansas

2011-07-25T21:58:00.001-07:00

I've already posted about Bumper Falls' nearby relative, Dewey Canyon Falls, so I'll let you go over there and read more about that specific falls and some observations about Arkansas waterfalls. I had some difficulty in viewing many of the waterfalls, if I could find them in the first place. Bumpers Falls was one of the few that I could both find and view.

If you find the right path, which just requires a little careful observation, you can get to the base of the falls, and actually walk behind them. And be careful...There are some large drops near the falls, but walking away from the falls, you may begin to notice the drops lessen. At the right point, you're safe, and you can get to the base. When I got there, there wasn't much water, but at least I could see something! This is probably best viewed after a LOT of rainfall.

Directions:
1) I started out in Big Flat.
2) From Big Flat, I headed east on AR-7 to the junction with AR-341.
3) At the junction of the two roads above, turn left on AR-341. You'll be heading north, which is the only way you can really head.
4) Go for almost 9 miles (just a little bit under) on AR-341. This is where it gets a little bit tricky. You're looking for the "first" time you see guard rails on both sides of the road, at least in a considerable distance. Before that, there may be guard rails on one side or the other, but this is the first time I recognized both around the 9 mile mark. If you're headed north, you'll actually have an easier time parking on the left side of the road (which means it might be easier to turn around at that point).
5) Once you're parked on the left side of the road right near the guard rail, head to the north (what I would consider the right end of the guard rail). If you go past the end of the guard rail for about 100 feet or so, you should notice a faint trail that leads into the woods.
6) Follow this trail for a few hundred feet or so, and then head to the left toward Bumpers Falls.

Accessibility: 9/10 (If it seems harder, you haven't found the right trail...this is from experience!)

McHugh Falls, Alaska

2011-07-22T23:10:00.000-07:00

I have to admit McHugh Falls doesn't have a huge amount of appeal. It's a rather small waterfall, and I don't like to discriminate against waterfalls, but you really can't get very close to it. With small waterfalls, they're best enjoyed nearby, not behind a fenced area.

It's one redeeming quality is that it is very easy to visit. I believe there are a number of unadvertised waterfalls in Alaska, but how many are actually accessible? This is one of the few that is accessible. As you driving south along the Seward Highway from Anchorage, you'll enter Chugach State Park (which is very expansive), and pass the parking area for McHugh Falls. There's a $5 daily fee to enter the park, which I always support paying, though the first time I visited, I just got out of the car and took a few photos, and then left. There is a trail that leads somewhere, though I'm not sure where.

Directions:
1) Head south on the Seward Highway from Anchorage.
2) You'll enter Chugach State Park, and after a ways, you'll find the entrance/parking area for the falls on your left. It may be easy to miss, so pay attention. I'd say it's about a 1/4 of the way from Anchorage to Seward?

Accessibility: 10/10

Marokopa Falls, New Zealand

2011-07-18T23:14:00.000-07:00

The popular tall waterfalls are on the South Island of New Zealand. The North Island has got its impressive waterfalls, too. Marokopa Falls is much wider than any of the falls I saw on the South Island. It's not as tall, though, so I guess to some that may be disappointing? Not to me!

Getting to the falls is a beautiful journey. I did have some interesting travels down very isolated dirt roads, but in the end, I got to the falls. There is an "easier" way to get to the falls, but it doesn't as easily connect Marokopa Falls to Bridal Veil Falls, which is not that far away as the crow flies, but more distant driving-wise. Once you get to the parking lot for the falls, it's only a short walk down to the viewpoint. At the viewpoint, you might try and getting to the base. I decided against this not because of danger, but instead because it was one of the muddiest descents I have seen in a while. I'm not opposed to getting muddy, but this was just a little too much! At the time, the spray was intense, even from a few hundred feet away!

Directions:
1) From NZ-3, head west on Waitomo Caves Rd (aka NZ-37).
2) NZ-37 turns into Te Anga Road after going through a roundabout a short distance from the Waitomo Caves.
3) Head some distance further to the parking area for the falls, which will be on your left. Along the way, you will have passed some other interesting points, including the Mangapohue Natural Bridge, along with a cave (that I can't remember the name to) that was free to visit, but surprisingly dark and creepy.

Accessibility: 9/10

Elakala Falls #3, West Virginia

2011-07-12T23:20:00.000-07:00

I was really excited to be able to see the third falls on Shay's Run. Sometimes when I read descriptions of waterfalls, I get these impressions that the waterfalls are extremely difficult to get to. And I'm always impressed when their relatively easier to visit than I expected.

When I begin to think about it more, they end up becoming some of my favorite waterfalls, and I think this one might rank up there somewhere. While it's not tall and doesn't have a huge amount of water flowing over it, it is VERY scenic and photogenic. I had so much fun getting the different shots of the falls. There is another side view of the falls that provides an equally interesting, and yet completely different perspective.

Directions:
1) Head toward Davis/Thomas, WV on WV-32. Once in either town, you should see signs for Blackwater Falls State Park. Follow the signs!
2) Instead of heading toward Blackwater Falls proper, head toward the Blackwater Lodge.
3) Park in the parking area for Blackwater Lodge near the left edge of the lodge (if you're viewing it from the front). If you walk just a few feet from the parking lot, you should find the trail leading to the falls.
4) After a short distance, you will find a bridge crossing Shay's Run, and you'll be able to see the first falls. Cross the bridge. It is much less complicated to hike down that side of the river, as there is a clearer trail there.
5) Heading downhill, you should be able to get a good view of the first falls after a short distance. Keep heading downhill on what appears to be a somewhat well worn trail to see the 2nd and 3rd falls. Bug spray and hiking shoes are essential.

Accessibility: 4/10 (to 3rd falls)

Moss Glen Falls, Vermont

2011-07-09T22:19:00.000-07:00

It's interesting to me how some waterfalls are so clear in your mind, while others are a little more fuzzy. I actually remember Moss Glen Falls, as it was the background on my phone for a while. I also remember that it can be a fun waterfall to explore. I couldn't recall how far it was to the falls, but after looking it up, it's only about 0.1 miles to the falls, which might be why the hike is so forgettable? I think I was able to get some pretty good photographs of the hillside though, and while short, I feel like you do climb pretty quickly in that short distance.

Once at the falls, you can begin to explore. You're actually pretty high above the river to start. The trail seems to lead uphill, following the stream, though the view of the falls deteriorates pretty quickly. There's one specific point at which you'll have the best views of the whole falls. To get closer to the falls, you can climb/slide down what I remember was a pretty steep incline. I was still able to get back to the trail ok, which is not always the case. Once you're at the base of the falls, though, the upper half completely disappears from sight due to the angles. I think this picture was taken about half-way down the hill.

Directions:
1) From Stowe, Vermont, head north on VT-100.
2) At the intersection of VT-100 and Randolph Road, turn right on Randolph Road.
3) After a very short distance, turn right onto Moss Glen Falls Road. Go for about one-half mile to a parking area for C.C. Putnam State Forest. The trail begins here.

Accessibility: 9/10

Starvation Creek Falls, Oregon

2011-07-07T10:54:00.000-07:00

Starvation Creek Falls is another beautiful waterfall in the Columbia River Gorge. It's found in Starvation Creek State Park, which is a more distant from Portland than some of the other waterfalls in the Columbia River Gorge. It was still pretty popular, though there seemed to be more limited parking.

Starvation Creek State Park is the great starting point for at least three other waterfalls. Starvation Creek Falls is the easiest of the falls to visit, and it is only a short walk from the parking area. The other falls can be visited in a 1 mile one-way hike. Overall, the four falls make for a very enjoyable time, and you can get great views of the Columbia River from the park.

Directions:
1) From I-84, heading EAST, exit at the sign for Starvation Creek State Park. It's 15 miles (?) distance from the more commonly known falls west of this park.
2) As you pull off, the parking area for the park is directly in front of you. There are a number of spaces, but they do fill up quickly.
3) From the parking area, head left on the paved trail to the falls.

Accessibility: 10/10

Seward Highway Falls, Alaska

2011-07-02T00:20:00.000-07:00

There are a number of waterfalls along the Seward Highway, especially near Chugach State Park. This waterfall here is located further south than the others, and is rather unexpected. I had written down the GPS coordinates, though I seem to have misplaced them.

The falls are found right near a large gravel parking area, and very easy to view once you find them. They are not particularly tall, maybe about 15-20'? I didn't spend a whole lot of time visiting the falls since I was needed to arrive in Seward by a certain time. Still, it's a simple stop on the side of the road.

Directions:
1) Head south from Anchorage along the Seward Highway. It's found further south, past Chugach State Park. I think the falls are past the split toward Whittier.
2) As your heading toward Seward, the falls will be on your right.
3) They are found on the far right of a "parking" area, as I'm not really sure why there's such a large cleared area off of the side of the road.

Accessibility: 10/10

Unnamed Waterfalls, Yosemite NP, California

2011-07-01T00:03:00.000-07:00

There are a number of “unnamed” waterfalls in Yosemite National Park. In this case, their location is not particularly important. Some of them are located before the pay station on CA-140, while others are located inside the park itself. Some are not easily photographed, as there is no parking available at certain points.

What is important is to understand that these falls are seasonal in nature, as are the larger falls in the park. These falls show up in April and May when the snow starts melting. I guess it helped that it had actually snowed the night that I stayed near the park, which was in mid-May. You can actually see the snow right above the falls in some of the pictures. Some of these falls, while ephemeral, are very tall.

Directions:
1) In late April and early May, the best choice of roads is likely CA-140. (I was on CA-120, and discovered after some distance that the road was closed near the park entrance, and had to take an alternative route). Call (209)-372-0200 for current road conditions.
2) Head east along CA-140 from Merced/Mariposa to the entrance for the park.
3) At the entrance, you will need to pay the $20 entrance fee, which is good for 7 days.
4) After that, the best choice to is just explore.

Accessibility: 10/10 (usually)

Interstate Falls, Michigan/Wisconsin

2011-06-27T20:56:00.000-07:00

First off, there are two waterfalls along the Montreal River just outside of Ironwood/Hurley, and there is confusion about which is named which. They are only about half a mile from each (at the most). I am basing these names on information found at this site.

I first saw Peterson Falls about 3 years ago, but couldn't figure out how to see Interstate Falls. There is no real sign indicating a path to the falls. Trails actually start at the real estate signs posted on trees, as the area on the Wisconsin side near the falls is currently for sale.

In October 2010, I found the trail to the falls, which can be found as an offshoot of the far more obvious trail to Peterson Falls. As mentioned above, you might also be able to start at another point near the real estate sign that is a shorter hike to the falls. When I finally arrived at the falls, I was only mildly surprised to find out that there was a huge amount of water flowing over the falls. The western portion of the Upper Peninsula had gotten a LOT of rain, and this meant that some of the rivers had very high volumes, some much higher than even in spring. There were flood warnings on certain rivers. This made it almost impossible to get great pictures because there was an amazing amount of spray. Looking at other pictures of the falls, I've never seen this much water flowing.

Directions:
1) From Ironwood/Hurley, head west on US-2. You will pass from Michigan into Wisconsin.
2) After a short distance, you will see Center Drive on your right. If you take a look, you will even notice a white sign for one of the falls.
3) Turn right onto Center Drive, a dirt road, a head down it. At one point, you will veer right.
4) You'll see a real estate sign. You might be able to park here.
5) Walk along the trail nearby, heading toward the river. You can see the crest of the falls, but getting to the base can be more difficult (especially in such high flow).

Accessibility: 9/10 (crest), 6/10 (base)

Silver Cascade, New Hampshire

2011-06-25T21:28:00.001-07:00

Silver Cascade is a larger cascade in Crawford Notch State Park in New Hampshire. As you enter the park, it is one of the cascades you'll see, along with Flume Cascade. While Silver Cascade is not one of my favorite waterfalls, it does have some positive attributes.

One of the nice things about Silver Cascade is how easy it is to visit. I am always disappointed when I see these sort of waterfalls on the side of the road, and yet I can't stop and see them for one reason or another. So I really do like that there is a parking area designated for the falls. I like that in addition to being easy to visit, you can also explore around the falls. As can be seen in the photo, people are climbing up around the falls.

Directions:
1) From the cross-section of US-3 and US-302 in New Hampshire, head southeast on US-302 to the entrance for Crawford Notch State Park. (The entrance isn't really a formal entrance, but I think there is a sign.)
2) After entering the park, look on the left of US-302, and you'll see both Flume and Silver Cascades. They're pretty difficult to miss, unless there's some reason they've dried up!

Accessibility: 10/10

Cross River Falls, Minnesota

2011-06-24T22:28:00.000-07:00

Cross River Falls is probably one of the easiest waterfalls to visit along Minnesota's North Shore, and it is definitely worth a visit. It is literally feet from MN-61, and can actually be seen as you're driving by.

The upper portion of the falls is the 2nd photo in the post, and this is the portion that can be viewed very easily. I'm betting that the falls look best in spring as the snow is melting, though this falls is large enough that it probably exists throughout the summer. The falls are larger than they appear in the photo. There's a visual illusion that's occurring here, making it difficult to truly understand its size just from a picture.

There's a special present hidden from sight, though. If you look on the opposite side of the road, you'll notice a trail that leads downhill to another portion of the river. From there, you'll see a second drop (photo to the right). The second drop is narrower than the first drop, making it look equally as powerful. It does require a little bit of effort to get to the falls, and you will have to likely do some rock-hopping to get the best view of the falls. If you rotate 180 degrees, you'll get some other great views of the Cross River as it approaches Lake Superior.

Directions:
1) Cross River Falls is found right in the town of Schroeder, Minnesota. Schroeder is found directly along MN-61. This can be accessed by heading north from Duluth for just over 80 miles.
2) Schroeder is a smaller town, but it is distinct, and hard to miss. The Cross River is very clearly marked with a sign, and you should be able to see from the falls. If you miss the falls, it is a very easy turn-around to get back to the falls. If you are heading north, a parking area is found directly before the falls, along with information signs.

Accessibility: 10/10 (upper), 6/10 (lower)

Cayuga Falls, Pennsylvania

2011-06-22T21:20:00.000-07:00

Cayuga Falls is not the most memorable waterfalls in Ricketts Glen, though it is still very scenic. It is a great waterfall to get long exposure shots. It is only about 6 or 7' tall, and is wider than it is tall. Looking at other pictures online, the log in the photo no longer seems to be there. I know logs bother some people in waterfall photos, but I always like them because it reminds us that nature is constantly changing. A tree can be there one day, and gone the next, though who knows if humans were the cause of that change!?

Directions:
1) From your starting point, get to the area around Red Rock, PA.
2) Turn onto PA-487, heading north. Go to the entrance to Ricketts Glen and turn right into the entrance.
3) Follow the signs to the Falls Trail. If I remember correctly, you will keep heading toward the right to the parking lot.
4) When I visited in May 2009, the Lake Rose parking lot was closed. In order to access the Falls Trail, head toward Beach Lot #2. From Beach Lot #2, head back toward the drive that leads to a group of cabins. Keep walking down that road, and you will reach an information sign. Head straight down that trail, and it will connect into the Falls Trail.

Check out my note from Sheldon Reynolds Falls about precautions to take in Ricketts Glen.

Accessibility: 5/10

Other Falls Nearby: All of the waterfalls in Ricketts Glen

Cane Creek Cascades, Tennessee

2011-06-21T23:39:00.000-07:00

There are numerous waterfalls in Falls Creek Falls State Park. In one portion of the park, you can see three waterfalls: Cane Creek Falls and Cane Creek Cascades, along with Rockhouse Falls. The first two are found along the same creek, with the cascades being found just upstream of the falls. While there is an official viewpoint for Cane Creek Falls, any good viewpoints are blocked by trees.

On the other hand, the Cane Creek Cascades can be seen very easily from its official viewpoint. When I visited in December 2009, very near Christmas, there was a considerable amount of water on the creek. The cascades were very beautiful, even in the slightly drizzly and very windy windy weather. Take some time to enjoy the cascades. I don't think I took the time because I was trying to figure out how to get better views of the other two falls, when I should have been enjoying the cascades that were so easy to see! (To make it clear, I think there are other ways to get views of the other falls, they're just not as obvious.)

Directions:
1) Follow the signs toward Falls Creek Falls State Park.
2) As you enter the park, you'll want to pay attention to the signs. You're going to head toward the nature center.
3) Once you find the parking lot for the nature center, which is also the parking lot for Cane Creek Falls, Rockhouse Falls, and the Cane Creek Cascades. Cane Creek Cascades is the easiest to view, and requires very little effort to visit.

Accessibility: 10/10

Wentworth Falls, New South Wales

2011-06-20T19:54:00.001-07:00

Because of the transportation decisions I had made, I got to take the more roundabout method of getting to Wentworth Falls. If you have a car, it's pretty easy. Just head to the parking area for the falls, and then you've got a short hike to the falls themselves.

If you decide to take the train from Sydney, like I did, then you have to figure out an alternative. I had stayed in Katoomba the night before, and since it was my first full night in Australia, I woke up very, very early. I finally was able to determine that a train was going from Katoomba to Wentworth Falls soon (about every hour), so I went to the train station, and headed to Wentworth Falls. After getting off at Wentworth Falls, I got myself confused.

The signs to the falls were clear, except there could be a few more. I started walking in the direction of the sign, but that seemed to lead to the highway. It turned out (finding this out later) that I was heading in the right direction. I finally found the Darwin Walk, and from there it was a very enjoyable, but early, hike to the falls. Frost covered many of the plants in the area.

Once at the falls, I started exploring to find the best view. On the left side of the falls, you get pretty good views of the upper portion of the falls, but you don't get to see the lower portion. The upper portion is impressive, but seeing the lower portion makes you realize just how large Wentworth Falls is. To see the lower portion better, cross the river above the crest of the falls, and then climb a ways to get to a viewpoint above the falls. The sun was very bright at that point, and I thought I wasn't going to be able to get any good views, but I covered the camera, and the pictures weren't nearly as washed out. At 614', it's impressive!

Directions:
1) From the Wentworth Falls train platform, climb up the stairs and head left into the town.
2) This got a little bit confusing. You'll see a number of shops in front of you. Head down any of the streets to the right of you that run perpendicular to these shops. You should end up at the main highway 32.
3) From there, look for a sign indicating the trail that leads to Wentworth Falls. It's called the Darwin walk, and once you find it (near a children's park), it's a pretty easy and enjoyable walk.
4) As you get near the falls, you do begin to descend toward the falls. Follow the many different signs to see the different viewpoints available.
5) Head back the way you came. There's another way to get back, but it led me more out of the way than I expected. Overall, it's about a 3 hour hike, and it's somewhere between 2 or 3 miles, I think.

Accessibility: 7/10

Jones Falls, Ontario

2011-06-19T21:55:00.000-07:00

Jones Falls, to be honest, is pretty disappointing. It's right outside of Owen Sound, so I guess I could be a really popular place, but the view is just not that great. There are a number of trees that effectively block the view of much of the falls. You can see part of the falls directly from the road, but getting a closer view is just difficult.

The left side of the river is probably your best bet for getting an "ok" view. A trail leads over the river to the right side, but it is almost impossible to get any good pictures. I don't believe there is any way to get to the base of the falls, at least safely or legally. Oh well, some waterfalls just need to be left alone...Otherwise, it'll be just another waterfall with too many people swarming around it.

Directions:
1) From Owen Sound, head west on ON-6/21. It's not too far from Owen Sound.
2) You'll climb a few hilly stretches of the road, and if you look to your right, you'll end up seeing the falls, at least partially. You'll know you're in the right area since there is a pretty big pulloff with trash cans right near the falls.

Accessibility: 10/10

Moul Falls, British Columbia

2011-06-17T18:56:00.000-07:00

I'm sure there are a number of more isolated waterfalls in Wells Gray Provincial Park, but of the most widely known falls near Clearwater Valley Road, Moul Falls might take the most effort to get to. Compared to Hemlcken, Dawson, or Spahats Creek, you do actually have to hike to get to the falls. It's an almost 4 mile round-trip hike.

I don't remember it being a difficult hike (which I usually remember if I suffered!). The bear signs at the beginning of the hike did freak me out for a second, but there were a number of other people on the trail, that I would have been surprised to see any bears. I do remember that as you get very close to your destination, you will have to climb down some rickety-looking stairs to get to the base, but it's well worth it for the final view.

When I showed up, it was very sunny, so the falls were very bright. The spray from the falls created a rainbow near the base, but when I tried to capture it in the photograph, the falls became extremely bright. I think there's a mild hint of the rainbow in this picture. It was really an enjoyable hike, and it is nice to be able to get closer to this waterfall than the others in the park.

Directions:
1) From Clearwater, head north on Clearwater Valley Road for 13 miles.
2) On your left, you will see the parking area for Moul Falls. The parking areas not huge, but there's probably enough room except on the busiest of days. From there, follow the trail to the falls.

Accessibility: 6/10

Wolcott Falls, New York

2011-06-16T20:07:00.000-07:00

Wolcott Falls is found in Wolcott, which is a small town in upstate New York. It is near Lake Ontario, and was along the route to visiting Chimney Bluffs State Park. It's a nice waterfall, and it's pretty easy to visit.

Right off of the main road, the parking area leads to a viewpoint near the crest of the falls. I think this view is pretty good, but I would definitely suggest taking the hike down to the base of the falls. The falls are not terribly tall, which means that the hike is not too bad! It sort of curves around, making it rather enjoyable. Along the way, I enjoyed all of the spring wildflowers.

Directions:
1) Head to Wolcott, NY. We just wandered there from Syracuse, and there are many different options.
2) Get to Mill Street in the city. The falls are found at a park right off of Mill Street. There is a bridge above the falls that you cross over as you are driving, though you can't necessarily see the falls.

Accessibility: 10/10 (parking lot view), 8/10 (to base)

Waterfalls Near Holgate Glacier, Alaska

2011-06-15T21:20:00.001-07:00

It always seems a little bit odd to me that there aren't that many named waterfalls in Alaska. For such a huge place, it's hard finding information about waterfalls. There are a lot more waterfalls than are listed, but it's also understandable that in such a sparsely populated place, some aren't known by many. Others pop up when glaciers and snow melts, and might only be around for short periods of time.

When I visited Kenai Fjords National Park, I took a tour on a cruise boat, and on the itinerary was Holgate Glacier. As you approach Holgate Glacier, there are a number of different waterfalls. Some of them are somewhat difficult to differentiate from the snow above, but while narrow, they're also surprisingly tall. The two vertical photos are waterfalls that were nearer to Holgate Glacier. The horizontal picture was a set of five waterfalls that were further from the glacier, if I remember correctly.

Directions:
1) Well, head to Seward, Alaska, and take one of the cruises. In this case, hope that you're headed to Holgate Glacier, as you might instead visit one of the other glaciers. It will probably be useful to have a lens that can zoom up pretty closely, as you might be somewhat far from the falls.

Accessibility: 10/10

Bridal Veil Falls, Michigan

2011-06-13T20:58:00.000-07:00

I missed Bridal Veil Falls the first time I went searching for it...and I was staring right at it! Not that I would have been able to really tell. Bridal Veil Falls is extremely seasonal in nature. Of the three (maybe four) times I've visited the falls, I've only seen water flowing once. It actually baffles me that it gets so much attention compared to the more impressive waterfalls in the park.

The first time I visited, I took a picture of the cliffs, and then realized later that I had taken a picture of the spot where Bridal Veil Falls was, but there was really no water flowing. It was "wet", but it just looked like any normal cliff. That was understandable, considering it was July or August, and it had dried up by then.

The second time I visited in May, and by then the waterfall had already dried up. I was surprised it had disappeared so quickly. The third time was the charm, and I finally saw the falls. If you look to your right while standing at the Miners Castle viewpoint, you might be able to see the falls if they're flowing. They can also be seen from the Miners Beach if you're looking at just the right angle. To get a good photo from any of those spots, you really do need a camera that can zoom in, as you're still some distance from the falls.

I also hiked along an unofficial trial to see if I could get a better view, starting right near Miners Beach Falls. It was a very muddy hike, and in the end, I have to admit I really didn't get any better views. I did get to see some other beautiful scenery, though. You might consider taking a cruise, but I wouldn't bet on seeing the falls unless it's been raining like crazy. Take a cruise to see the much more impressive and permanent Spray Falls.

Directions:
1) Go down Miner's Castle Road (Alger County Road H-13) passing over Miners River.
2) You'll reach a point where you can turn left toward Miner's Castle or turn right toward the Lakeshore trailhead. Head toward Miner's Castle, and from the Miner's Castle viewpoint, you might just be able to see the falls.
3) From the Lakeshore trailhead, you might also try heading toward Lake Superior, and if you walk down the beach, the falls will come into view at some point.

Accessibility: 10/10

Katoomba Cascades, New South Wales

2011-06-12T20:58:00.000-07:00

The Katoomba Cascades aren't the biggest attraction in the Blue Mountains National Park, but it's still a pretty cascades nonetheless. It's just upstream of Katoomba Falls, and the cascades are very easily accessed. If you want to play around in a waterfall, this might be the better option when compared to the more dangerous Katoomba Falls.

You can't see the cascades from the road or any viewpoint right away, but just a short hike from the bus stop leads to these falls. I can't remember if you had to rock-hop or cross a bridge to get over the creek. There were a number of people playing in the shallow water below the falls, though.

Directions:
1) Using the Blue Mountain bus, go to stop 10.
2) From there, you will be face with two options. Take the right path that leads into a wooded area. From there it's a very short hike to the falls.

Accessibility: 10/10

Waterfall #2 in Buttermilk Falls SP, New York

2011-06-10T20:41:00.000-07:00

This is the kind of waterfall that makes you begin to question: when do I count a waterfall as its own separate waterfall? There are so many waterfalls in Buttermilk Falls State Park, some large and some smaller, such as this one. I guess you could really consider it one large waterfall with multiple drops separated by more distance. Or you could consider it to be multiple waterfalls. It's confusing. How do I even identify where this falls is in location to other falls in the park...I'm not really sure.

It would probably help if they all had unique names. Ricketts Glen State Park in Pennsylvania has names for each of the major (and even some minor) drops, which makes it easier to remember and identify the falls, and even give info about where they're located. You'll see this falls if you take the whole hike along the gorge, but if you just stop to see "Buttermilk Falls", you'll miss it.

Directions:
1) There are multiple ways to access this entrance to the park. I think the easiest is to get onto NY-96B (aka Danby Rd.) heading south from Ithaca.
2) Heading south, you will come to W. King Road. Turn right onto W. King Road.
3) Head to the sign for the entrance to Buttermilk Falls State Park. Turn into the entrance.
4) From here, you can park right there, and cross W. King Road. The entrance to the gorge should be rather obvious.
5) The Gorge Trail is the best choice to view the falls, though it is only open during certain times of the year.

Accessibility: Ascent (4/10), Descent (9/10)

Piney Creek Falls, Tennessee

2011-06-09T22:21:00.000-07:00

I think I was surprised when I first saw Piney Creek Falls. Chalk it up to lowered expectations, maybe? If I remember correctly, the book that I was using didn't seem to rank this waterfall nearly as high as its counterparts in Falls Creek Falls State Park. But after seeing the falls, I think I was pretty impressed!

The falls are secluded in relative terms. The other falls in the park had numerous visitors, but I was the only one at Piney Creek Falls. That might have been because it was Christmas Eve, but it was still pretty nice out. The biggest deterrent to the falls might be the directions. Some of the signs in the park can get a little bit confusing, as they don't always indicate where the falls are, but instead other points of interest.

Directions:
1) From one of the entrances, you want to head toward the Fall Creek Dam. (Google seems to call it Park Road.)
2) You'll end up on a one-way road, if I remember correctly. Pass the turnoff for Falls Creek Falls, and keep heading a little less than 3 miles to the turnoff for Piney Creek Falls.
3) Turn right onto the Piney Creek access road and park here. I don't really even remember having to hike any distance, but I could be wrong?

Accessibility: 10/10

The Mushbowl, British Columbia

2011-06-08T21:16:00.000-07:00

Well, the Mushbowl at least goes down as having one of the more interesting names for a waterfall. As with many of the other more popular waterfalls in Wells Gray Provincial Park, it's also really easy to view. It's very obvious from certain viewpoints and even as your crossing over the bridge just feet from the falls. It's just not anywhere near as large as Helmcken or Dawson Falls. So it probably doesn't get paid as much attention.

It's still a pretty waterfall, and it other places, it would probably rank higher. Its redeeming quality is that it is so easily accessible. It's pretty impressive at high flows too, and even in late August it was still flowing intensely. Stop by and visit it just because you can without much effort.

Directions:
1) From Clearwater, head north on Clearwater Valley Road for about 40 km/25 miles to the parking area for Dawson Falls. Along the way, you will have passed parking areas for Spahat's Creek Falls and Moul Falls. Once you reach the bridge over the Mushbowl, pass over the bridge and park on your right. That's where the most "parking" seems to be available. I found it easier to stop on the way back, as you'll pass by it again after visiting Helmcken Falls.

Accessibility: 10/10

Weaver's Creek Falls, Ontario

2011-06-07T19:43:00.000-07:00

Weaver's Creek Falls might be the smallest of the falls in the Owen Sound area, but it might also just be one of the most peaceful and quiet in the area too...and that's surprising, considering how close it is to a very busy park. It's almost hidden and unassuming. There are no real signs indicating that there's a waterfall just a few hundred feet away.

The only negative thing about the falls is that it is partially on private property, and while there is a trail clearly leading to the falls, a sign says no trespassing just before you get to the falls. Oh well, you can still get a pretty good view. And the view is especially scenic during fall, when the fall colors kick in. With those fall colors, the forest floor becomes vibrant!

Directions:
1) From Owen Sound, head south on 2nd Ave East.
2) Turn left into Harrison Park, and almost directly after that, turn right. (It might be the only way you can go).
3) Head down that road to the swimming pool. When I was there, you couldn't actually go all the way down the road, and it ended at a gate. This was the perfect place to park.
4) To the right of the pool you'll find a boardwalk that leads over Weaver's Creek and heads upstream to the falls.

Accessibility: 10/10

Unnamed Falls, Blue Mountains NP, New South Wales

2011-06-06T18:12:00.000-07:00

Obviously there are a number of much larger and more impressive waterfalls in the Blue Mountains of Australia, but if you're visiting at the right time of year, I'd expect that you'll be able to see this smaller waterfall just to the left of Katoomba Falls. It can really only be seen when you are standing at the Cliff View Lookout, which is most easily accessed at stop 9 on the Blue Mountain ExplorerLink Bus. From there, look to the left of Katoomba Falls (not the best view for the falls), and you might just see this smaller falls.

Directions:
1) Take the Blue Mountain ExplorerLink bus to stop 9. Walk down the stairs to the Cliff View Lookout. You can also access this from stop 10.

Accessibility: 10/10 to the viewpoint

South Fork Eagle River Falls, Alaska

2011-06-05T21:10:00.000-07:00

There are at least two easy-to-visit waterfalls in the Anchorage area. This is the easier of the two to visit, South Fork Eagle River Falls. There is some steepness, but the trail is short at 0.5 miles one-way, meaning you won't exert yourself too much. (There is another trail that is longer that also leads to the falls.)

Now, one thing I want to mention about the falls is that the parking area is VERY near private property. Make sure you do NOT trespass on any property, and it seems to be all around the path... I even doubted that there was parking allowed, but it does seem to be. Once you get to the falls, there area a lot of barriers preventing further exploration, and I decided not to do that. It just doesn't seem safe or appropriate. The fencing must be there for a reason. This did mean that I wasn't able to get the greatest of photos, but that was more due to the angle of the sun. It actually brightened the trees up a lot, but didn't really ruin the waterfall itself.

Directions:
1) Head north of Anchorage along AK-1 to the exit for the Eagle River Loop.
2) Drive only 0.2 miles to Hiland Dr., and turn right.
3) Drive on Hiland Rd. for a little over 3 miles, and turn left onto River Park Drive.
4) It gets very confusing, as River VIEW Drive then turns into Waterfall Drive suddenly.
5) Head to the end of Waterfall Drive, and turn right onto River PARK Drive.
6) Head to the end of River Park Drive, and take the LEFT fork onto Ken Logan Circle. The parking area is at the very end.
7) From the parking lot, head to the blocked road, cross the bridge, and then turn right at the sign indicating the Falls.
8 ) Head up the trail. Near the end, it splits again. Head right. (The left is marked as private property). Heading right, you should end up at the waterfall in a very short distance.

Accessibility: 8/10

Unnamed Falls, Waikato Region, New Zealand

2011-05-28T23:31:00.000-07:00

I'm not really sure how to describe this waterfall, considering I don't really know it's exact location. I was driving from Bridal Veil Falls (40 minutes from Hamilton) to Marokopa Falls. My GPS took me along some long stretches of unpaved road. I finally got onto some paved (sealed) road in farmland, and out of the corner of my eye, saw this small waterfall plunging to the left of me. I really couldn't stop right there, so I turned around (which can be difficult on these winding roads). I zoomed in to the falls while stopped on the road for a few seconds. It's not a very busy road, but if you can find another place to pull of for just a second, that might be the best option. That is if you can find the falls?

Directions:
Well...It's on a paved road somewhere between Bridal Veil Falls and Marokopa Falls. Along the way, I believe I took Kawhia Rd. to Harbor Rd., then Te Wairere Road to get to Marokopa Falls. It might have been off of one of those roads?

Accessibility: 10/10 (from car, no hiking)

Alexander Falls, British Columbia

2011-05-27T19:36:00.001-07:00

The trip to Alexander Falls could be described as interesting, to say the least. Alexander Falls is found very close to Whistler Olympic Park, where a portion of the Winter Olympics were held in 2010. Since the Olympics were coming, some new roads were built in the area, and some old ones were redirected. This is one way to create some confusion.

The old way used to lead one down a forest service road that was unpaved, but still could be driven on. The confusing part was when that road forked unexpectedly. I think part of the road was blocked off, and the only option was to go on a road that was very newly paved. This can be very odd at first, and I wondered if this was some private road. Considering it was the only option, though, I continued on the paved road. Luckily, I discovered that the falls were a very short distance from this intersection.

It also revealed there is a MUCH easier way to see the falls now. The Callaghan Valley Access Road (not forest service road) is a newly paved road that leads you directly to the falls, and on further to the Olympic park, which you can still visit. Once at the falls, you don't even have to walk to the falls. Just get out of your car, and they're essentially in front of you. When I visited in August 2010, I had the whole place to myself, not that there was a whole lot there. The waterfall is very scenic, and I was relieved to know that I wasn't lost in the wilderness.

Directions:
1) Callaghan Valley Access Road doesn't really show up on all GPS/Google Maps yet. From the last stoplight in Whistler, head south for about 6.5 km.
2) On your right, you'll find the road that should indicate the Whistler Olympic Park. Turn right here. Head down the road for a few kilometers until you reach the Alexander Falls park, which will be on your left. If you've gone to far, you'll have passed the bridge over the river and you will soon end up at the Olympic Park. It's pretty easy to turn around there and backtrack, though.

Accessibility: 10/10

Middle North Falls, Oregon

2011-05-24T20:45:00.000-07:00

Middle North Falls, despite the rather generic name, is one of the more memorable waterfalls in Silver Falls State Park. There are a number of waterfalls that you can walk behind in the park, and this is the falls where you have the best bet of getting wet. You can even probably reach out and touch the falls if you want as you walk behind. It's not as tall as the other falls in the park, but it still has its redeeming qualities.

Directions:
1) From Salem, drive east on US-22 to the junction of US-22 and OR-214.
2) Head north on OR-214 for 15 miles, following the numerous signs to Silver Falls State Park.
3) You can park at either the South Falls or North Falls parking areas. The South Falls parking area is larger, and the Waterfall Trail leads you past all of the falls.

Accessibility: 6/10

Lower Glen Ellis Falls, New Hampshire

2011-05-23T21:20:00.000-07:00

Below Glen Ellis Falls, there are a number of other very interesting, or at least photogenic, drops along the river. In order to view these lower falls (or maybe better described as cascades), you do have to veer from the path and do a little climbing down the hill that follows the river further downstream. It is not a particularly steep hill, and there are very clearly tracks where people have walked before to see these falls. While they are not nearly as impressive as Glen Ellis Falls, they still have a beauty to them. I think that the drop shown in the first picture below is actually very cool, and a photographer could have a lot of fun photographing the falls at longer shutter speeds.

Directions:
1) I arrived at the falls from US-302. At the junction of US-302 and NH-16, head north (really the only option).
2) After heading north on NH-16/Pinkham Notch Rd. for a ways, you'll come to the parking area for the falls. If you're heading north, it will be on the left side of the road, clearly marked with a sign for Glen Ellis Falls.
3) The parking area had openings, which was surprising since it was Labor Day weekend, so you'll probably be able to find spots most anytime. From there, head toward the trail to Glen Ellis Falls.
4) You'll pass under NH-16 through a tunnel, and then from there, follow the stairs down to the falls. There are a number of stairs.
5) After walking down the stairs, detour so that you head further downstream, following the river.

Accessibility: 6/10

Chameleon Falls, Pennsylvania

2011-05-20T23:43:00.000-07:00

Well, I have to admit that I've been rather confused by Chameleon Falls. The picture I've posted here is unlikely to be Chameleon Falls, but is probably in the general vicinity....

In Glen Onoko, there are three main waterfalls: Cave Falls, Onoko Falls, and Chameleon Falls, from downstream to upstream. There are other drops that are better classified as cascades. Now, when trying to more clearly identify which pictures corresponded to which falls, I discovered that nobody seems to identify the same falls with the same name. I've seen what I posted for Cave Falls
as being also identified as Chameleon Falls. Now, searching on google doesn't produce many clear results, except that it might make sense that Cave Falls has a cave somewhere near it...The picture I have does not. So maybe I missed Cave Falls??

Well, after hitting what I thought was the second falls, I continued a little bit further upstream. I really didn't want to go that far since the hike is relatively strenuous to begin with, and I had limited time. There was a path heading further upstream, though it seemed less used (though still popular on that beautiful day), but I really didn't quickly come upon any waterfalls that had significant drops. This is the last waterfall/cascade I photographed on my hike. I called it Chameleon Falls because I wasn't sure what waterfall is missing. Maybe some signs with names would be useful...

Directions:
1) From I-476, take exit 74.
2) Take US-209 South toward the village of Jim Thorpe. Go for about 6 miles.
3) Turn right onto PA-903. You will cross the bridge over the Lehigh River and go 0.4 miles to a stop sign.
4) When you get to the stop sign, turn left. I remember the name of the road not being what I thought it would be (it was not Main Street, as expected).
5) After turning left, head down that road, which will veer left again. Take that left. I think you now may end up on Main Street.
6) After about 0.3 miles, you will take another left into the entrance to Lehigh Gorge State Park.
7) Keep driving for a little less than 2 miles to the end of the road, which will be the parking area for the Glen Onoko trailhead.
8) From the parking area, you are going to follow the signs and head under the bridge to the trailhead.
9) From there, just try and follow the trail. The trail doesn't seem to end.

Accessibility: 2/10

Wildcat Falls, California

2011-05-18T21:54:00.000-07:00

One of the first waterfalls you are able to stop and visit in Yosemite National Park (at least easily) as you enter on CA-140 is Wildcat Falls. You cannot actually see the portion of the falls in the picture here, but instead the upper portion. It is possible to photograph the upper portion, but not together with the lower portion. The upper portion is further away, so I haven't included it here. The lower portion has a little bit more character. As usual, I assume this waterfall might just disappear later in the summer.

Directions:
1) Enter the park on CA-140 heading east. Pay the $20 entrance fee.
2) After driving a short ways into the park, you should see Wildcat Falls on your left. It drops from a cliff. There is a pullout on your left, and a very short trail leads to the lower portion of the falls.

Accessibility: 10/10

Jumbo Falls, Michigan

2011-05-15T01:37:00.001-07:00

I visited Jumbo Falls relatively near the beginning of my waterfall searches. This little waterfall is maybe not nearly as exciting after seeing many other falls, but I still find it to be interesting nonetheless. It's just so simple, and yet that makes it enjoyable. It also has more water flowing over it than waterfalls 80 times its size! So don't let height fool you.

I also remember the area around the falls being very beautiful. The Upper Peninsula of Michigan is relatively cool throughout the year, and even in mid-August, the temperatures were very pleasant. The forest around the falls was at peak beauty, with green everywhere. It was just an enjoyable time.

Directions:
1) Getting to the falls might be the hardest part, though it's still relatively easy. On M-28 past Kenton (which I don't really remember noticing), a short distance later you'll come to Golden Glow Road.
2) If you're headed west on M-28, you'll turn left onto Golden Glow Road. Head south.
3) After a few miles, you'll come to an intersection. Turn left at the intersection. Don't go onto the forest service road.
4) From there, head east along the road for a ways to a parking area for the falls. It doesn't seem like it's for the falls. When I visited, it had a sign about fishing, but you're in the right area. Wander around, and follow the Jumbo River to the falls. You'll probably hear them if you're in the right spot. It's only a short distance from that parking area to the falls.

Accessibility: 10/10

Humboldt Falls, New Zealand

2011-05-13T00:12:00.000-07:00

The first waterfall I visited after arriving in New Zealand was Humboldt Falls. I was unsure how the drive to the falls was going to go. Unlike many of the other waterfalls in the area, Humboldt Falls is not as easily visited. If you are headed to Milford Sound, you will need to have your own car to get there. It requires a drive down an unpaved road for about 18 km (12 miles), though the road is very passable.

The drive is the long part. Once you're at the parking area, it's a 15 minute hike to the falls. It is a steady uphill climb, though luckily it's not very long. At the end, you'll reach a viewpoint. There is the major waterfall, Humboldt Falls, just reaching 900' tall. It's impressive. A portion of the falls can't be seen, as it's blocked by trees. There is another waterfall to the right of Humboldt Falls, at about half of the height. To the left, there is a wisp of a waterfall that I have seen in other pictures. All three falls add up for a very cool scene. The best part about the falls is that it's likely there won't be anyone else there!!!! I visited in mid-May (late fall), and there was no one else there. Just a few miles further in Milford Sound, there were still a lot of visitors, so you'll have peace and quiet here.

Directions:

1) From Te Anau, head west on SR-94 (or head east from Milford Sound). The turnoff for the falls is much closer to Milford Sound, but if you're driving from Te Anau and you've reached the Homer Tunnel you've gone just a few miles too far.

2) Heading west, you'll come upon Lower Hollyford Road. There's a big sign there indicating the road, and if you read it closely enough, you'll see it says 18 km to Humboldt Falls. There's no other option, but to turn right here and head 18 km to the parking area.

3) Right across from the toilets, you'll find the trailhead to the falls. From there, it's only 15 minutes to the falls.

Accessibility: 6/10

Bridal Veil Falls, New South Wales

2011-05-07T01:20:00.000-07:00

After traveling over 9,000 miles, I wasn't suffering jet-lag as much as some people might. I took the CityLink train from Sydney to Katoomba, which was an enjoyable two hour ride. After getting here, I went to check in at the lodge because I couldn't carry around my bags anymore. I wasn't sure what to do with myself after this, though.

I thought about visiting Wentworth Falls, but realized that I had not planned that out very well train-schedule-wise. I decided to head instead for the falls closer by. I bought a Blue Mountain Explorer bus pass, which is definitely handy, but missed the bus as it was passing by. I decided I must be crazy enough to keep going, looked at the map, and decided to head toward the Leura Cascades. It didn't seem too far away, and it really wasn't. Following the signs, I wandered through lush forests to finally arrive at this waterfall here. It's at the Bridal Veil Lookout, and I've seen it referred to as Bridal Veil Falls. This is confusing as there is another waterfall nearby with the exact same name. This waterfall is the plunge below the Leura Cascades. It's an impressive drop, though hard to photograph from the top.

Directions:
1) If in Katoomba, I would suggest taking the Blue Mountain ExplorerLink bus to stop 16 or 17. Both will lead you to the Leura Cascades and Bridal Veil Falls. If you start at 16, you can loop around to 17, and vice-versa.

Accessibility: 6/10 (there are some slippery parts here, though there are stairs, especially if you start at stop 17)

Hardy-Reagan Falls, Tennessee

2011-05-04T19:29:00.000-07:00

Being a geographically-oriented person, I can't really remember exactly where Hardy-Reagan Falls was. Looking it up online, I do seem to remember that it was a short hike to the falls, but my mind can't place it in relation to other falls in the area. I do remember that Waterloo Falls is relatively nearby.

As for the falls themselves, I don't really remember spending a whole of time there. The falls are not that large, only about 5' tall (maybe a little more). What I do like about the falls is the rock cliffs around the falls. There is a very layered effect that comes from the rocks. It adds a certain dimensionality to an otherwise not-very-exciting waterfall.

Directions:
1) From the intersection of Waterloo Road and TN-293, head north on TN-293 for a little over 4 miles.
2) Right before the bridge, park in the turnout on the side of the road.
3) On the left side of the road, you'll find a path that leads very quickly to the falls.

Accessibility: 10/10

Coliseum Falls, New Hampshire

2011-05-03T21:58:00.001-07:00

I thought that Coliseum Falls was a fun little (but "long") waterfall in Crawford Notch State Park. And if you choose the right trail, you can see this waterfall pretty easily, along with Bemis Brook Falls. Further along the trail, and with some difficulty, you can find Arethusa Falls, which is the main attraction.

The test here is to see how many of Coliseum Falls' drops you can photograph all at once. The waterfall drops a number of times, though each of those drops are small. Adding all of those drops together, though, makes for a more impressive waterfall. I also found the rock along the river to be very beautiful. The colors are verging on reddish-orange, especially when the water runs over it.

Directions:
1) The parking area for the falls is found off of route 302 in Crawford Notch State Park, which is an impressive place to find waterfalls.
2) About 1.5 miles south of Willey House, you'll find the parking area for the falls. Heading south, the turn will be on your right. If I remember correctly, during the busy times of the year, there is a parking lot right off the road that looks very full, but you do not have to park there. Driving further down that road leads to a parking area that is much less busy, and much closer to the trailhead.
3) At the parking area, you'll see a private house. Head to the left, and begin to follow the trail. You'll cross railroad tracks, and then you'll continue on the trail for a short distance.
4) After a ways, veer to the left to follow the Bemis Brook Trail. This is where you'll encounter Bemis Brook Falls and Coliseum Falls. This path is actually very easy. If you wish to continue on to Arethusa Falls from this route, be aware that there is a steep hill that you must climb up to get to the other trail. It is not a simple feat, and you should be in good physical shape. It might actually be easier to go on the Bemis Brook Trail on the way back. You'll be climbing down the steep hill, but it might less problematic?

Accessibility: 8/10

Split Rock Falls #3, Minnesota

2011-05-02T21:06:00.000-07:00

Split Rock State Park is most widely known for the amazing Split Rock Lighthouse. Inside the park, though, is the Split Rock River. Along the river, there are a number of drops. As a whole, the set of waterfalls are not extremely exciting. The hike is very beautiful, but some of the drops are blocked by trees, while others are smaller. The red rock along the river is the one thing that makes the waterfalls more memorable.

This is really the first waterfall along the river that a clear view can be obtained. There are one or two other large drops before this that are tricky to photograph, even in early spring when the trees really hadn't started getting leaves. The 3rd falls is wider but rather non-descript.

Directions:
1) Heading north on MN-61 along the Lake Superior shoreline, you'll enter Split Rock State Park. The Split Rock River is very close to the southern boundary, and so you'll see the parking area.
2) A sign indicating the Split Rock River is your best bet at identifying the parking lot for the falls. It is a smaller parking lot used frequently by fisherman. At the start of the trailhead, you'll see a sign indicating the trail.
3) After about 0.5 miles, you'll come to a fork in the trail. Head along the right fork, where you'll soon come to West Split Rock River Falls. Keep heading along that trail, which goes on for a considerable distance. I only traveled about 2 miles along the trail (one-way).

Accessibility: 7/10

Great Falls, Tennessee

2011-04-30T18:02:00.000-07:00

I guess your first inclination when hearing the name Great Falls would be that, well, it's an impressive waterfall. My guess is that this inclination is highly dependent on water flow. Searching for pictures online has revealed that at certain times of the year, the falls are so flooded with water that they just disappear...At other times, when there is less water, a number of smaller falls are found along the very wide drop. I just imagine that there are certain DAYS of the year when the water levels are just right to get nearly all of the rivers width to appear as falls. It's got to be a tricky balancing act, complicated by the dam just upstream.

When I visited in December 2009, there wasn't a considerable amount of water, and so there were a number of separate waterfalls. They are all along one drop in the river, though separated by areas of uplifted rock. It's still an impressive waterfall, but its view is diminished by the fact that you are not very close to the falls. The viewpoint in the park does allow for sweeping views of the whole falls and river, but you really can't get up close.

Directions:
1) There seem to be a number of different ways to view this specific waterfall in Rock Island State Park. As a good place to start, use TN-136 as a reference. This is also known as Rock Island Rd.
2) If you're headed north, the road you're interested in, TN-287, will be on your left. There are a number of old stores in the area. Turn left onto TN-287.
3) You'll head along TN-287 past the dam, which is pretty obvious, to a parking area on your right. It's a pretty big parking area. If you pass this area, you'll keep heading out into the country, missing the falls.
4) The falls are directly visible from the edge of the parking area.

Accessibility: 10/10

Spahats Creek Falls, British Columbia

2011-04-29T20:05:00.000-07:00

Spahats Creek Falls is an impressive waterfall in Wells Gray Provincial Park. Though not as tall as Helmcken Falls or as wide as Dawson Falls, it keeps up with its relatives. Spahat Creek has eroded a significant portion of the rock above the crest of the falls. It then plunges over 200 feet to the bottom of the gorge below. It's a geologically impressive place. Even more impressive are the trees growing on the side of the canyon.

Photographing the falls can be rather difficult. I'm a traveler who doesn't always have the ability to show up at a waterfall only in the morning or in the evening (at least not without sacrificing time). Those are the best times of the day to photograph Spahats Falls, so you'll likely have to deal with the sun. If you can get the right angle, you'll be able to limit the effects of the sun. You'll also have to walk along the paths at the edges of the cliffs to get various shots. You might be able to get the whole falls, but the sunlight was too intense at that specific angle.

Directions:
1) From Clearwater, head north on Clearwater Valley Road for 10 km (6 miles).
2) On the left, there will be the parking area for Spahats Creek Falls. It's pretty clearly marked. Park here and head to the falls, a short distance away.

Accessibility: 10/10

Unnamed Falls #2, Rocky Mountain NP, Colorado

2011-04-28T21:03:00.000-07:00

As you’re hiking to Ouzel Falls from the Wild Basin trailhead, you will pass multiple named waterfalls including Upper and Lower Copeland Falls and Calypso Casacades. In between those falls, you can actually find multiple other drops along the river. Some of the drops are probably not significant enough to be recognized, while others are actually rather large. At this specific drop, the river narrows quickly, forcing the water through a very small path, creating an impressive force. The only view of the falls is from above, which can photographing it difficult.

Directions:
1) Drive north on CO-7 past Allenspark. A few miles after passing Allenspark, you will see an entrance for Rocky Mountain National Park indicating the Wild Basin Trailhead. Turn left here.
2) Drive down the road for a very short distance to the park entrance. You can pay the entrance fee here.
3) Drive down the rather narrow dirt road to the very end. This will be the parking area for the Wild Basin Trailhead. It may be advisable to arrive early in the summer, as the parking area only has 20-25 parking spaces.
4) From the parking area, begin walking on the Wild Basin Trail. This falls will be past Copeland Falls, but I think it is before Calypso Cascades.

Accessibility: 8/10

Hog Canyon Falls, Washington

2011-04-26T15:50:00.000-07:00

I'm not really sure why Hog Canyon Falls isn't more widely known, but maybe that's a good thing. The waterfalls in downtown Spokane are popular, as is Palouse Falls, which is southwest of Spokane. In the books on Pacific Northwest waterfalls, though, there really isn't any mention of falls in between. I personally feel this falls is more than interesting enough to warrant a stop, and it's right in on the way!

Getting to Hog Canyon Falls is not really that bad, as long as you stay on the trail, which sometimes seems to lead away from the lake. The lake itself is very beautiful, and the rock cliffs that rise out of the water are impressive and photogenic. At first, when you're hiking along, you might wonder where the falls are (or where they could be hidden), and then suddenly, you'll see the falls off in the distance, over the blue lake in front of you. Wander through the grass and down the hill toward the falls. There's a spring of sorts that you have to cross, though it's not difficult to do. Once you're there, you'll have multiple different views of the falls. The falls seem to take on different personalities depending on how far or close you are to them. It's really a fun time.

Directions:
1) From I-90/US-395 south of Spokane, take exit 254.
2) We were heading south along the way. Once you exit, turn LEFT (if you were going south) onto Sprague Highway Road.
3) Drive south along the road until you come to the first dirt road on your LEFT. You will have just passed under a railroad overpass.
4) Head south a short distance down the dirt road (on maps/GPS as Lake Valley Loop Road).
5) After a little over a mile, turn right toward the BLM access area. After a ways, you will reach a sign indicating a trailhead. You may be able to get to the falls from here, but you won't see the lake. Continue heading down the narrow dirt road until it ends at a boat launch.
6) Park here. Walk toward the lake and start following the trails near the lake. The best bet to finding the falls is to keep the lake in your sight at all times (unless when it's dangerous!). You'll walk the whole length of the lake to get to the falls, which is not nearly as long as it seems, but the terrain is a little steeper than might be expected. Still it's doable.

Accessibility: 5/10 (may be easier if you stay on the wider trails, but you may not see the lake as well)

Post Falls, Idaho

2011-04-24T21:56:00.001-07:00

I never really imagined that Post Falls might be the first waterfall that I visited in Idaho. There are a number of other falls in Idaho that look very impressive, but Post Falls came first. I guess one could argue whether Post Falls should be included on a list of waterfalls, and I definitely think it should be.

There is a dam that has been built above the falls, and as usual, this may detract from the beauty of the falls. But in late April, as the snow might be starting to melt, the roar of the river as it plunges 40 or so feet is intense! The flow is very high. Today, though, I could actually see the portions of the falls that had been untouched by man, at least not significantly, and this is what made me enjoy the falls even more. These geological features can get lost in such high flow rates, and can often make falls look rather boring. This was not the case at Post Falls in mid-spring.

Directions:
1) From I-90, take the exit that leads to N. Spokane St. I can't remember the exit number.
2) Head south on N. Spokane St. for a very short distance from the exit to 4th Ave.
3) Turn right onto 4th Ave and head all the way down to the end, where you'll find a parking area on your left.
4) From the parking area, follow the sounds of the river to the falls.

Accessibility: 10/10

Upper Dunn Falls, Maine

2011-04-20T19:50:00.000-07:00

Upper Dunn Falls was pretty disappointing. I had seen really beautiful pictures of it, and yet when I visited, the falls was rather...meager? It probably doesn't help that I had just seen Lower Dunn Falls, which I found to be really amazing. Because the rock narrows down the creek at Lower Dunn Falls, it "looks" like there was a lot of water flowing. On the other hand, the water fans out at Upper Dunn Falls, making it look like there wasn't much water at all. In some pictures I've seen, there's a lot more water, which definitely makes the falls look more powerful. When I visited, they looked weak.

Directions:
1) From the junction of ME-120 and ME-5 in Andover, head west on Newton Street (aka East B Hill Rd. or Upton Hill Rd.). It's not very clearly marked.
2) Head west for a little over 8 miles to a "parking area" on your right. It's a clearing with about enough space for 3 cars, though the road is quiet enough that you could pull off on the side. There is a sign indicating the Appalachian Trail on both sides of the road, but again, they're not obvious, so you'll have to probably get out and look around.
3) Cross the street and head about 200 feet east, where you'll find the beginning of the trail. A sign should indicate that this is a portion of the Appalachian Trail. There will be while blazes indicating the trail.
4) After about 150 feet downward, you'll come to a fork in the trail. If you head right, you'll continue on the Appalachian Trail. If you head left, you'll see blue blazes and a sign indicating the Cascade Trail. When I was there, the tree with the sign on it had fallen down, so you'll have to look carefully. Choose the second path. You have not crossed any brook yet.
5) Follow the trail for about 1/2 of a mile, where you'll clearly have to cross the brook. (There are moments before that where it will seem like you should cross the stream, but don't. This is the first time where you will see the blue blazes on the other side of the stream.)
6) After about another 1/4 of a mile, you cross a second brook.
7) After a very short distance, you'll come to another fork. You can either head uphill or veer to the right. Head uphill for Upper Dunn Falls (right for Lower Dunn Falls). After a short hike uphill, you have to cross the creek, which may be more difficult at high flow. When I visited, it was VERY easy. You will have to climb up a bank, which can be rather slippery, but it is not tall.
8) Take a left and head town the trail with the sign indicating "Upper Falls" for a VERY short distance. You should reach the falls quickly, though you may have to figure out the best way to photograph/view the falls.
8) To return to the car, you can either follow the Appalachian Trail or return the way you came. I took the Appalachian Trail, and REALLY wish I hadn't! There are no great views and at points it's a tedious uphill climb. If you return by the Cascade Trail, you might see something you missed, and it's a much easier return.

Upper Buttermilk Falls, New York

2011-04-16T20:20:00.000-07:00

The last post about Buttermilk Falls State Park was a little less than a year ago, so I'm going to explain a little bit again about what's going on here.

Buttermilk Falls State Park is right outside of Ithaca. In the time that I lived there, I didn't realize how close it was. I though it was further out. There are two different entrances. The main one leads to an easy descent but a difficult ascent, though all with stairs. We did the descent first. As I've said before, it's really just one big waterfall that has numerous drops of very significant size. It would probably help if there were separate names for each of the drops. Upper Buttermilk Falls is what I refer to as the drop just above the main waterfall. I tend to believe that the main falls and some of the smaller falls upstream are more interesting.

Directions:
1) There are multiple ways to access this entrance to the park. I think the easiest is to get onto NY-96B (aka Danby Rd.) heading south from Ithaca.
2) Heading south, you will come to W. King Road. Turn right onto W. King Road.
3) Head to the sign for the entrance to Buttermilk Falls State Park. Turn into the entrance.
4) From here, you can park right there, and cross W. King Road. The entrance to the gorge should be rather obvious.
5) The Gorge Trail is the best choice to view the falls, though it is only open during certain times of the year.

Accessibility: Ascent (4/10), Descent (9/10)

Upper McKinney Falls, Texas

2011-04-15T23:02:00.000-07:00

I showed up to McKinney Falls State Park when there clearly wasn't a whole lot of water flowing down the river. At the right time, you could see a waterfall that looks very different. With flash flooding, it could even be dangerous.

Even without all of the water flowing, Upper McKinney Falls is still pretty interesting. In this case, it's really all about erosion. At higher flows, you probably wouldn't notice this. At low flow, though, the water clearly chooses the paths that erosion has created. At this low flow, you can actually explore and jump over each of the different mini-rivers that are present. It also allows for fun with the camera trying to get different shots of the water plunging.

Directions:
1) I cam from I-35 heading north. I believe I exited at Texas route 71 and headed to the right (east).
2) I then took the exit for Burleson Road, taking a right onto Burleson.
3) Keep heading down Burleson Road to McKinney Falls Parkway. At that point, there should be a sign indicating the falls. Turn right onto McKinney Falls Parkway.
4) Head to the sign indicating the entrance to the park, and enter the park.
5) At the entrance, pay the $5/person entry fee and then follow the signs. Upper McKinney Falls is near the visitor's center, and there's much less likelihood of getting "lost" when compared to Lower McKinney Falls

Accessibility: 10/10

Nairn Falls, British Columbia

2011-04-12T22:35:00.000-07:00

The first thing I noticed as I started hiking to Nairn Falls was how amazingly beautiful the river next to the trail is. The Green River flows very quickly, and not surprisingly has this extremely cool turquoise color to it. As you continue along, you'll climb up and down a relatively easy trail. There is some elevation change, but it's not bad.

Once you get to the falls, begin to explore. I will admit it is one of the more unique waterfalls I've seen. The picture on the right is the initial drop, which is beautiful, though somewhat difficult to photograph due to fencing. Then the river takes a literal 90 degree turn, and after going a short distance, takes another 90 degree turn, as if returning to its original path. The river drops again at this point, though the safety fencing REALLY blocks any good view of the second drop. It is really a great waterfall to stop and visit. As a note, there are a number of waterfalls off of BC-99 (or within a few miles of BC-99), and they are all relatively easy to visit.

Directions:
1) It is about 33 km north of Whistler or 2 miles south of Pembleton on BC-99. If heading north, the parking will be on the right. Signs indicate pretty clearly where the park is.
2) After parking, start down the trail toward the falls. It is about 1 mile one-way.

Accessibility: 6/10

Lower Middle Falls, Minnesota/Ontario

2011-04-11T19:36:00.000-07:00

The Pigeon River forms a portion of the border between Minnesota and Ontario. On the Minnesota side, you can visit Grand Portage State Park. The most popular (understandably) waterfall in Grand Portage State Park is the High Falls of the Pigeon River, which are very impressive. They are also easy to visit!

There are a number of other waterfalls on the Pigeon River, though, that don't get nearly as much attention. If on the Minnesota side, it's again understandable. One of the falls, Partridge Falls, is not necessarily easy to access because of rough road. Middle Falls, where there seems to be two different portions, can be accessed from the park entrance, though it requires a 1.6 mile hike one-way. This hike is by no means on flat ground, and it is steep at points, though by no means terrible. There is no simple boardwalk to the falls, though! Once you get there, you may be slightly disappointed, since High Falls is so much taller and more impressive. I would say the solitude you will experience at the Middle Falls would be a positive, but it was pretty quiet at the High Falls when I visited in mid-May.

As a side note, if you go to the Ontario side of the river, you will likely have a much easier time visiting these falls. From the Minnesota side, you can actually see the road that hugs the river, leading almost directly to the falls. So if you don't want a workout, I would suggest that.

Directions (from Minnesota)
1) Head north on MN-61 from Grand Portage to the entrance of Grand Portage State Park. You'll see the border gate as you're turning in.
2) From the parking area, start along the trail toward High Falls. You should be heading west.
3) Instead of heading toward High Falls, continue along the Middle Falls Trail. It is at least 1.6 miles one-way. Near the end of the trail, the trail splits (and creates a circle). The left fork in the trail leads you to the falls quicker, and I would even return from that direction. The right fork, adds a longer distance, and didn't hold any interest for me.

Directions (from Ontario)
1) On ON-61, find Route 593. Head west on Route 593, where after a distance you'll be able to access the falls without even hiking! I didn't take this way, so I might ask for better directions!

Accessibility: 3/10 (from Minnesota)

Inglis Falls, Ontario

2011-04-07T21:20:00.000-07:00

Inglis Falls is one of the more impressive waterfalls in the Owen Sound area. It is rather unique, with the waterfall widening toward the base. It is also rather easy to visit, being only a few miles outside of Owen Sound. Driving there poses no difficulty, and other waterfalls are nearby (some smaller ones that aren't always advertised widely).

Once you get to the falls, you may have to pay an entrance fee, though when we visited in late October, there wasn't anybody collecting a fee. There is a major viewpoint where the picture was taken, which is great, especially when the sun is not shining right above the falls! If you cross the bridge above the falls, you may not necessarily get any good views. Now, there is a hike to the base of the falls, though it is not simple. At first, the hike is pretty clear, and then at some point, the trail essentially ends. You'll have to bushwack and rock-hop to get to a great view at the base of the falls. It's not terrible, at least compared to other experiences I've had...just keep track of the easiest way to get back to the trail.

Directions:
1) From Owen Sound, head south on 2nd Ave East, which turns into 2nd Ave SE.
2) Turn left on Inglis Falls Road, and head south on Inglis Falls Rd.
3) After a short distance, you'll end up at the entrance to the park, where there is parking available.

Accessibility: 10/10 (from main viewpoint)

Unnamed Falls #1, Burgess Falls SP, Tennessee

2011-04-05T21:34:00.000-07:00

In Burgess Falls State Park, there are a number of smaller waterfalls to be found. They are all waterfalls that flow into the Falling Water River. The first of these unnamed falls is about 5 or 6' tall, if I remember correctly. I arrived in the early morning when the air was still chilly, and it was difficult to photograph this falls because the sun was behind it. It would probably best be photographed during noon. But that brings up a point...Since each of the falls at Burgess Falls State Park are not oriented in the same direction, each falls would be best photographed at a different time of the day. You would either have to stay the whole day at the park, or visit multiple times, which isn't always possible. Oh well...

Directions:
1) From I-40 near Cookeville, take the exit for TN-135 and head south on TN-135.
2) Follow TN-135 for a ways, until you see the sign indicating the turn for Burgess Falls. From there, its a short distance to the parking lot for the falls.
3) The signs make the hike very simple to follow.

Accessibility: 9/10

Cascade Falls, California

2011-04-04T19:54:00.001-07:00

I showed up pretty late at Cascade Falls. The sun wasn't setting just yet, but inside of the park where the falls are found, it was getting dark. That made it very difficult to photograph this smaller waterfall.

Getting there is a pretty easy ordeal, so that is the one benefit to seeing this falls. I think it could be very pretty when the lighting is right. There were a number of other people photographing the falls, so it actually seems pretty popular.

Directions:
1) From US-101, exit at CA-1 for Mill Valley/Stinson Beach.
2) Turn right onto Almonte Boulevard.
3) Go about 3 miles to Thockmorton Avenue. (I set the GPS to find the intersection between Almonte Blvd and Thockmorton.)
4) Turn left and drive just over 1 mile to a parking area on the right for Cascade Falls. Follow the short path to the falls.

Accessibility: 10/10

Falls Run Falls, West Virginia

2011-04-02T23:55:00.000-07:00

Falls Run Falls is one of the more interesting little waterfalls in Blackwater Falls State Park. It's nowhere near as widely known as Blackwater Falls, Elakala Falls, or some of the other large falls in the area. Falls Run Falls, on the other hand, is small, easy to get to, but hidden where you'd least expect it.

Right from a parking area that provides a view of Blackwater Falls, a short hike leads to running water. You don't really see anything from the road, but heading downhill leads to this smaller waterfall. I imagine that after a lot of rainfall, it's impressive. Even with less water, it's still a nice falls. There was enough water that it didn't look like wet rock.

Directions:
1) Head toward Davis/Thomas, WV on WV-32. Once in either town, you should see signs for Blackwater Falls State Park. Follow the signs!
2) Instead of heading toward Blackwater Falls proper, head toward the Blackwater Lodge.
3) On your way to the Lodge, there is a parking area at a trailhead known as the Gentle Trail. Park here. If you head right from the parking area, you'll get to a view of Blackwater Falls. Instead, head left.
4) You'll hike near the road for a few hundred feet or so...Pay attention to the sound of water flowing, as that will be your indicator you're nearby. When you hear the flowing water, you may see a creek. Cross the creek, and then start heading downhill. From there, it's only a short distance to the falls.

Accessibility: 6/10 (a little steep, but short)

Calypso Cascades, Colorado

2011-03-31T18:11:00.000-07:00

At the Wild Basin Trailhead in Rocky Mountain National Park, you can access a number of waterfalls. The first few, Lower and Upper Copeland Falls, are not extremely exciting. There are a number of other unnamed falls along the river that are cool, though sometimes hard to view.

The Calypso Cascades are somewhat further in (about 1 mile, I think), and this is the first impressive falls you'll see. This set of cascades is something like 100' tall. It's hard to sense that from the picture since the falls are relatively deep. It was a little bit difficult to photograph the falls due to the sunlight, but it's still an impressive and photogenic waterfall, and a photogenic hike in general. After continuing on, you can visit the very impressive Ouzel Falls.

Directions:
1) Drive north on CO-7 past Allenspark. A few miles after passing Allenspark, you will see an entrance for Rocky Mountain National Park indicating the Wild Basin Trailhead. Turn left here.
2) Drive down the road for a very short distance to the park entrance. You can pay the entrance fee here.
3) Drive down the rather narrow dirt road to the very end. This will be the parking area for the Wild Basin Trailhead. It may be advisable to arrive early in the summer, as the parking area only has 20-25 parking spaces.
4) From the parking area, begin walking on the Wild Basin Trail. You'll pass Lower Copeland, Upper Copeland, on your way to Calypso Cascades. Ouzel Falls is found further along the trail.

Accessibility: 7/10

Hole In The Wall Falls, Oregon

2011-03-30T21:02:00.000-07:00

Starvation Creek State Park is a little further east than some of the more popular waterfalls in the Columbia River Gorge, and yet you should definitely visit it if you're in the area. In Starvation Creek State Park, you can see at least four waterfalls along a one mile (one-way) hike. It's a relatively easy hike (though it does get steeper near the end).

Starvation Creek Falls is right near the parking area. Cabin Creek Falls is the first along the hike, and creates a few difficulties. Hole in the Wall Falls, though, is very easy to view. As you're hiking along, you'll cross the creek with a wooden bridge, and from that area, you can get a great view of this pretty impressive waterfall. From this angle, there were at least two drops visible, and there might be more above. As with many of the other waterfalls in Oregon, the moss-covered rocks only enhance the beauty of the falls!

Directions:
1) From I-84, heading EAST, exit at the sign for Starvation Creek State Park. It's 15 miles (?) distance from the more commonly known falls west of this park.
2) As you pull off, the parking area for the park is directly in front of you. There are a number of spaces, but they do fill up quickly.
3) From the parking area, head west along the trail that follows I-84. You'll actually be pretty close to I-84 at points. The first waterfall you'll encounter heading west is Cabin Creek Falls. The second falls is Hole in the Wall Falls.

Accessibility: 10/10

The Cataracts, Maine

2011-03-29T23:04:00.000-07:00

The Cataracts doesn't seem to be as popular as the other waterfalls nearby, but there are a number of falls nearby. Dunn Falls is impressive and also accessed by the exact same major road (especially Lower Dunn Falls). The Cataracts is also in the far northeast region of Grafton Notch State Park, which includes other falls I did not visit.

Now, I had already visited Dunn Falls, which requires a longer hike, and I had taken a path that wore me out more than expected. I couldn't pass up visiting The Cataracts, though, since it's also found off E.B. Hill (or Andover Road). The parking areas are only about 3 or 4 miles from each other.

The hike itself to the top of the falls is not hard at all. It was very beautiful, and pretty enjoyable. There is just one issue. At the top of this falls, you really can't get a very good view of the falls! It's blocked by a bunch of trees! I could tell that it was a pretty impressive drop, though, so I decided to head back downhill and see if I could get a different view.

Now that decision had mixed results. To get this picture shown here, I started heading upstream near the bottom of the hill. (I'm guessing this was about 0.3 miles from the start?) At first it seems doable, until you get to some rather large rocks that are not easy to traverse. I had to grab onto large branches to essentially pull myself up the rocks. After that, you essentially rock (or boulder) hop for a ways. It could wear you down, but the reward is that you will see a beautiful waterfall, and probably be the only person standing there to get that view. (Very few people were there anyway.) I really wouldn't suggest doing this unless you're physically fit. The return is equally as complicated, and expect to get wet.

This is only one of the drops known as The Cataracts. There are others upstream (or downstream). I really didn't search harder as I was pretty tired out by that point. Still check out this gem of a waterfall.

Directions:
1) From the junction of ME-120 and ME-5 in Andover, head west on Newton Street (aka East B Hill Rd. or Upton Hill Rd.). It's not very clearly marked.
2) Head about 5.5 miles out of Andover. Around there, you'll see a sign for Cataracts Road, and a road heading uphill. A pretty long parking area is found on the right of the road.
3) After parking, head across the road and take the TRAIL, closely following the creek. I would suggest exploring the area for all of the different drops you might see.

Accessibility: 8/10 (to top of falls), 2/10 (to view in picture)

Upper Dave's Falls, Wisconsin

2011-03-26T22:25:00.000-07:00

Upper Dave's Falls is only a few feet tall, but it's a rather enjoyable set of waterfalls to visit when in northeastern Wisconsin. The benefits to visiting Upper Dave's Falls (and it's lower counterpart): 1) It's pretty easy to visit. There are no long drives down dirt roads or long hikes. 2) There are a number of other waterfalls in the area, so you can hit a bunch of them in one day. Not a whole lot else to say, except that I really do like the color of the rock around the falls.

Directions:
1) The waterfall is south of Pembine on US-141. If you're driving south from there, it's only about 1 mile from the city, and the road to the park will be on your right.
2) Turn right onto County Park Rd., which leads to Dave's Falls County Park.
3) The most prominent path leads to the lower falls, so wander upstream to get this view of the upper falls.

Accessibility: 10/10

Granuja Falls, California

2011-03-25T20:49:00.001-07:00

I always try to give at least some attention to the smaller, often ignored waterfalls that are overshadowed by their larger counterparts, but Granuja Falls is pushing the limits. I'm surprised somebody even gave this drop a name...Maybe in Florida, this would be significant, but here in California, I'm not so sure.

When visiting the area on a very short trip in November 2010, I first stopped at the very scenic and photogenic McWay Falls. On the way back to the San Francisco Airport, I decided to stop by Uvas Canyon County Park, which is somewhat out of the way...and I wish I could say well worth it, but it really wasn't.

I paid $6 just to enter the park (though I do give credit for actually having a self-service credit card machine). It was later in the day, though the sun was still out. Half of the trails seem to be closed, if I remember correctly, one of them due to bees! Not that it really mattered. There was so little water over some of these falls. I'm guessing they are probably more impressive when it rains, but it clearly had not recently. Granuja Falls, which is just off of one of the main trails, is pretty easy to miss. There are two "drops", though it's hard to see the 2nd drop since somebody is in the picture taking a photograph of it. Oh well, it was a beautiful day and the trees were changing colors, but it was a disappointing visit.

Directions:
1) Well, all I really remember is typing in the crossing/intersection of Uvas Road and Croy Road on my TomTom GPS. It's in the area of Tennant, at least my GPS accepted that as the city where those roads were found.
2) After getting to that intersection with my helpful GPS, turn left onto Croy Road, and head down that road to the very end. You'll pass through a private area, though you'll be ok. At the very end, there is the self-pay area, and then the parking area.
3) At the parking area, head out on the Waterfall Loop. At one point very near the beginning of the trail, you may see a bridge leading over a little creek on a side loop. That's where Granuja Falls can be found. It's sort of easy to miss.

Accessibility: 8/10

Rainbow Falls, British Columbia

2011-03-24T21:18:00.001-07:00

Rainbow Falls is a beautiful set of waterfalls on the outsets of Whistler. As usual, the most difficult part seems to be finding the trail that leads to the falls. The directions I was following listed a different trail name than what I saw, and that definitely confused me. I actually took a picture of the sign just so that I could remember what the trail was named!

Each of the drops, while not extremely tall, have distinct personalities in a beautiful forest setting. I guess the only negative is that it is somewhat difficult to get photographs of some portions of the falls, but even the trees in the area add to the scenery. I really did enjoy this hike.

Directions:
1) Heading south from Whistler, turn right onto Alta Lake Road.
2) Head down Alta Lake Road for 6.8 km to the trailhead. The trailhead is the "Rainbow Trail", and the sign indicates the total hike would be about 16 km, which is nowhere near how long you'll hike.
3) From the parking area, take the path on the left (the west side of the river). Take the trail for a little less than a mile.
4) I have to admit I can't remember if this is the hike where it can suddenly become deceiving. There may be a sign indicating the direction to the falls, but I also have the feeling that there wasn't. I think the trail splits off at that point, and you should head to the right.

Accessibility: 6/10

Fern Rock Creek Falls, Oregon

2011-03-23T19:34:00.001-07:00

I was trying to remember how difficult it is to find Fern Rock Creek Falls, and realized it is definitely one of the easier waterfalls to find. It is right off of Oregon route 6. Bridge Creek Falls is also nearby, but my gosh, is it difficult to find, though once you find the trail, it's a super-easy hike.

Fern Rock Creek Falls, on the other hand, is only a few feet away from a large pulloff where there is much more space for cars to park. When I arrived, the parking area was wet and muddy, which I'm expecting is pretty normal in spring. Even so, you can see the falls from your car. It's definitely worth it to get out and enjoy the view. The waterfall is very photogenic, as are many of the mossy falls in Oregon.

Directions:
1) I was heading east along OR-6 from Tillamook. Set your odometer, and drive for a little over 29 miles. You should see mile marker signs, though for some reason, not every mile...
2) Just past the 29 mile marker, you'll see a "parking" area, which is one of the few places you can pull off easily. It will be on your right if you're heading east.
3) Look out your window, and you should see the falls. If you don't see falls, you're not at the right place!

Accessibility: 10/10

Walters Falls, Ontario

2011-03-21T17:55:00.000-07:00

I visited Walters Falls in Ontario after visiting a number of other waterfalls in the Owen Sound region. It is probably one of the easiest to find, and yet it's not necessarily a spectacular waterfall.

After visiting the falls in the area, I realized that one of the "negatives" about some of the waterfalls in this region is that it's almost impossible to separate out the human effects on nature. At times, this can reveal a lot about history...at other times, it's just annoying. Here it falls more to the annoying category. The book I have says it is one of the only falls in Ontario that splits into two, but that seems to be because us humans put a dividing barrier there when building a mill.

Oh well...during the fall, it's still an enjoyable view. If you want a view from the base that is also possibly, though slippery when muddy. To view that, cross the bridge to the "right" side of the river, where you'll see a trail that heads downhill to the base of the falls. The sun prevented great pictures at the base.

Directions:
1) The town of Walter Falls is found near the intersection of Grey County Roads 40 and 29.
2) On Co. Rd. 40 in the city (if you're heading east), you'll find Front St.
3) Turn left onto Front St., and head to the very end, where you'll come to The Falls Inn. Park at the inn, and head to the left to the observation deck for the falls.
4) Cross the bridge and head downhill if you want to get to the base.

Accessibility: 10/10 (observation deck), 6/10 (to base, muddy!)

Buttermilk Falls, Ohio

2011-03-20T18:16:00.000-07:00

Buttermilk Falls is another one of the surprising waterfalls in Cuyahoga Valley National Park, which is very close to Cleveland. Brandywine Falls is the main attraction, but doesn't require much of a hike (or walk). The small Blue Hen Falls is in another area of the park, and Buttermilk Falls is found by continuing along that trail.

I wasn't sure I was going to be able to find it after reading the directions, but it was easier than I expected. You do have to cross the river/creek, and that is not difficult. It's unlikely you'll get wet! Once you get to the falls, you can get pretty close to the falls. I think some people were actually trying to climb up the falls. They're steep, but only about 20' tall.

Directions:
1) On I-271, take exit #18 onto OH-8.
2) Head south on OH-8.
3) Once you reach E. Twinsburg Road, turn onto E. Twinsburg Road, which will become W. Twinsburg Rd.
4) Go to Brandywine Rd. and turn east. Brandywine Rd. will become Olde Eight Rd.
5) Turn west onto Boston Mills Road. On your right will be a one-way road where you can park to visit Blue Hen Falls. There is also a parking lot on the left side of the road that is much easier to park at, though it does add a short amount of distance to your hike.
6) From there, follow the rather obvious trail downhill to Blue Hen Falls.

7) After you see Blue Hen Falls, keep heading downstream along the trail. You will cross the stream three times, which is not that difficult at all. It's pretty hard to miss Buttermilk Falls (assuming you're on the right trail).

Accessibility: 7/10

West Branch Sturgeon Falls #1, Michigan

2011-03-19T17:26:00.001-07:00

First off, apparently this set of waterfalls may have slightly different names. I thought it was the set of Lower Hogger Falls, but it also could be called West Branch Sturgeon Falls. There are four of them on the West Branch Sturgeon River, and none of them are particularly tall. During the fall, when the colors are changing, they are beautiful.

When we showed up to find Hogger Falls, which is also on the same river just upstream, we ended up finding these 4 falls instead. Just a few days earlier, it had rained considerably, which meant that the falls were flowing well. The tannins in the water provided a beautiful golden color to the water, which only adds to the scenic nature of the area. This particular waterfall might be the largest of the four falls, but it is also the most difficult to photograph, as there isn't really a good place to stand to view the falls. That may be different if the water in the river is lower.

Directions:
1) We took MI-38 west out of Baraga and headed for a ways on M-38.
2) After traveling west on M-38, you will come to Newberry Rd., which will be on your left.
3) Turn left onto Newberry Rd. and head 3 miles south on the dirt road.
4) After about 3 miles, you'll come to a "road" on your left. If you go any further, you'll end up at the West Branch Sturgeon River, where the bridge is out. If you turn around and head north, I guess it's the first "road" on your right.
5) We had to stop at that road because it was blocked by a gate, and I'm not necessarily sure I would head down that road anyway.
6) From the gate, start hiking east down the road. Keep going until it appear that the road "ends". It seemed to be blocked by a pile of dirt and trees, though there was a trail that wrapped around to the right.
7) Follow that trail to the right, which heads to the river. Depending on where you end up, you'll likely see a waterfall. The first waterfall we saw was not easily visible. I then headed back west following the river very closely. This is the third fall we saw along the river. I wouldn't be surprised if there are numerous more that just can't be seen very easily. You're often considerably high above the river!

Accessibility: 9/10

Tolliver Falls, Maryland

2011-03-18T22:46:00.000-07:00

Muddy Creek Falls and Swallow Falls are the main attractions at Swallow Falls State Park, but I think that Tolliver Falls is just as interesting as its larger relatives. Tolliver Falls is only a few feet tall, and yet its location in the park is very scenic.

I visited the park in late October, and the trees were beginning to change colors. The fallen leaves created a blanket around the falls, which only enhanced the colors of the rock in the falls. It also helped that while the sun made it more difficult to photograph the other falls, the canopy above Tolliver Falls allowed for better photographs.

Directions:
1) I took a very roundabout way from Virginia (passing through West Virginia) to reach these falls, so it might be more advisable to visit the following site for multiple routes.
Maryland DNR
2) Tolliver Falls is on a side trail that s very easily accessed. You may have to wander around a little to find it, though.

Accessibility: 10/10

Lower Eagle Cliff Falls, New York

2011-03-17T23:36:00.000-07:00

I previously discussed Eagle Cliff Falls, which is upstream from this smaller set of waterfalls. This smaller set of falls is a set of multiple drops, each about 3-8 feet tall. While Eagle Cliff Falls is taller, this is also just as interesting. They are also easier to access, as you don't have to hike up the short trail to get to Eagle Cliff Falls. Even that trail is not significantly steep, but this can be viewed without much effort at all!

Directions:
1) From the city of Montour Falls, head south on NY-14 for a very short distance.
2) On your left, you will find Havana Glen Rd. Turn left onto Havana Glen Rd.
3) There will be park and parking area off of Havana Glen Rd. to your right. Park in this area.
4) You will pass the the baseball diamonds and head toward a sign in a remote corner of the park that will lead to the trail for Eagle Cliff Falls.

Accessibility: 10/10

Cascade Falls, Minnesota

2011-03-16T19:02:00.000-07:00

The first waterfall that you encounter on the Cascade River is logically called Cascade Falls. Further beyond that are The Cascades. This first falls is a rather short distance from the trailhead, and it is definitely worth it to go and visit both "sets" of falls.

Unlike the Cascades, which is a complex set of...cascades, Cascade Falls is an actual plunge waterfall. I visited the falls in mid-May 2010, and the falls were at their prime then, most likely due to recent snow melt. (It had actually snowed just three days before, though that disappeared pretty quickly, and the temperatures returned to a state of relative comfort.) I imagine these falls are probably less impressive in the depths of the summer, but the hike is still enjoyable. The best view of the falls is found on the left side of the river (as you start).

Directions:
1) The parking area for The Cascades and Cascade River State Park are found off of MN-61 a few miles south of Grand Marais. The parking area is on the left side of the road if you are driving north.
2) After finding the parking area for the falls, you can head upstream on either side of the river, but I started on the south side. That seems to provide better views of the falls.

Accessibility: 9/10

Kimball Falls, Wisconsin

2011-03-14T23:48:00.000-07:00

Kimball Falls is not a particularly large waterfall, and I'm not really sure whether I would go and search for it if there weren't a number of other really great waterfalls nearby. It is found between Ironwood/Hurley and Saxon. In that stretch, you've got Interstate, Peterson, Saxon, and Superior Falls, all of which are more interesting. Along the way, though, you'll pass this small falls, and it's very easy to stop and view them.

The falls are found at the Kimball Falls park, which is a very nice park. If I lived in the area, I'd visit it frequently. When we visited in October, the fall colors were absolutely spectacular last year, and so the trees were ablaze in reds, oranges, and yellows. It had also rained significantly in the past few days, making Kimball Falls seem at least a little bit more powerful.

Directions:
1) As you're heading west on US-2 from Ironwood, you'll find the park in between Interstate/Peterson Falls and Saxon/Superior Falls. Heading west, the road to the falls will be on your left.
2) The name of the road is logically Park Rd. Turn left onto Park Road, and there should be a sign indicating the way to Kimball Falls.
3) Park wherever parking is available. At the time we showed up, I do not think we were able to park in the park itself, but there was parking nearby. The falls are very obvious from the bridge crossing right over them. Take some time to explore the park itself. If I remember correctly, there was a trail that led I know not where, but it looked like it could be fun to explore.

Accessibility: 10/10

Middle Dunn Falls, Maine

2011-03-13T21:33:00.001-07:00

Middle Dunn Falls is not a particularly large waterfall, so I'll just mention it briefly. As you're hiking along the trail to see a number of falls, you'll first come along Lower Dunn Falls, which is actually one of the more scenic and impressive falls that I saw along the hike (and in Maine in general). Above Lower Dunn Falls is this smaller waterfall that was more interesting than Upper Dunn Falls, which is tall, but not that scenic. Just a pretty little waterfall sandwiched between two other larger ones...

Directions:
1) From the junction of ME-120 and ME-5 in Andover, head west on Newton Street (aka East B Hill Rd. or Upton Hill Rd.). It's not very clearly marked.
2) Head west for a little over 8 miles to a "parking area" on your right. It's a clearing with about enough space for 3 cars, though the road is quiet enough that you could pull off on the side. There is a sign indicating the Appalachian Trail on both sides of the road, but again, they're not obvious, so you'll have to probably get out and look around.
3) Cross the street and head about 200 feet east, where you'll find the beginning of the trail. A sign should indicate that this is a portion of the Appalachian Trail. There will be while blazes indicating the trail.
4) After about 150 feet downward, you'll come to a fork in the trail. If you head right, you'll continue on the Appalachian Trail. If you head left, you'll see blue blazes and a sign indicating the Cascade Trail. When I was there, the tree with the sign on it had fallen down, so you'll have to look carefully. Choose the second path. You have not crossed any brook yet.
5) Follow the trail for about 1/2 of a mile, where you'll clearly have to cross the brook. (There are moments before that where it will seem like you should cross the stream, but don't. This is the first time where you will see the blue blazes on the other side of the stream.)
6) After about another 1/4 of a mile, you cross a second brook.
7) After a very short distance, you'll come to another fork. You can either head uphill or veer to the right. Veer to the right to see the falls. You'll have to rock-jump for part of the ways to get to the falls, which are not all that obvious until you get rather close to the falls.
8) If you return to the original trail and head uphill, you can also access Upper Dunn Falls. To return to the car, you can either follow the Appalachian Trail or return the way you came. I took the Appalachian Trail, and REALLY wish I hadn't! There are no great views and at points it's a tedious uphill climb. If you return by the Cascade Trail, you might see something you missed, and it's a much easier return.

Accessibility: 6/10

Elakala Falls #2, West Virginia

2011-03-12T19:03:00.000-08:00

The description of Elakala Falls is again deceiving...well, depending on who you are. There are actually 4 "major" drops on Shay's Run. Various explanations of the hike to the falls made me wonder whether I would be able to handle seeing the falls. Sources suggested that the hike was difficult.

Well, the hike to Falls #1 is pretty easy. I admit that the hike to falls #2 and #3 is not "easy", but I wouldn't call it difficult either. Likely due to higher traffic, there is now a pretty clear trail that passes by those two waterfalls. It is steep at points, but it's very redeeming quality is that the whole hike is pretty short. I wouldn't suggest doing the hike in slippery tennis shoes. Hiking shoes will work better because of the steepness. Still, I don't remember it being a difficult hike.

One thing to note...I did NOT attempt to go to the 4th falls. I say it wasn't difficult to visit the first three falls, but there was absolutely no clear way to hike down view the 4th falls, so I decided against trying to view it.

Directions:
1) Head toward Davis/Thomas, WV on WV-32. Once in either town, you should see signs for Blackwater Falls State Park. Follow the signs!
2) Instead of heading toward Blackwater Falls proper, head toward the Blackwater Lodge.
3) Park in the parking area for Blackwater Lodge near the left edge of the lodge (if you're viewing it from the front). If you walk just a few feet from the parking lot, you should find the trail leading to the falls.
4) After a short distance, you will find a bridge crossing Shay's Run, and you'll be able to see the first falls. Cross the bridge. It is much less complicated to hike down that side of the river, as there is a clearer trail there.
5) Heading downhill, you should be able to get a good view of the first falls after a short distance. Keep heading downhill on what appears to be a somewhat well worn trail to see the 2nd and 3rd falls. Bug spray and hiking shoes are essential.

Accessibility: 5/10 (to 2nd falls)

Buttermilk Falls, Pennsylvania

2011-03-11T18:39:00.000-08:00

I really stumbled upon Buttermilk Falls. I don't remember whether it was in the book I was using, but I do think I noticed it on the GPS. Often, when you see waterfalls on the GPS, that doesn't necessarily mean you can or should visit them, so I had to wonder...Is this waterfall on private property? Is this waterfall in the middle of nowhere?

Well, I was lucky. The falls might be on private property, but you can visit them. And they are extremely easy to visit! They are right of US-209 near East Stroudsburg. It was Memorial Day weekend in 2009, and just an hour or two earlier, an intense rain/thunder storm had passed through. That had prevented me from looking for the other waterfalls in the book, so I decided to drive north on US-209 to explore. Driving north, I found it relatively easily. It's right near a real estate office. The falls are more extensive than appear in the picture, but it is difficult to photograph the whole falls in one shot.

Directions:
1) From I-80, take the exit for US-209 and head north.
2) Only 2 or 3 miles north on US-209 (aka 7 Bridges Road), you'll find Buttermilk Falls Road. Turn right onto Buttermilk Falls Road, and park in the real estate office to your left.
3) Head to the falls, which are pretty obvious.

Accessibility: 10/10

Natural Falls, Oklahoma

2011-03-10T17:29:00.000-08:00

I was excited to find out that there was a waterfall in Oklahoma that could be easily visited from the Fayetteville, Arkansas area (where I flew into). When getting the rental car, the woman was very enthusiastic about Natural Falls. My only concern about visiting it was time, as I had arrived later than expected, and the park closes at 5 pm, at least in the winter (or early March).

I did actually luck out and arrived at 4:30 pm. I had 30 minutes to visit the falls, and the hike the falls is extremely short. There is an upper viewpoint, and a surprisingly easy hike down to the base. Now, as with other falls, there wasn't a whole of water, but I can't complain about this because it was so simple to visit! I can handle that!

There is another portion of the falls not shown in the picture. There is (I think) a spring that emerges from the rock near the falls, but it was bright at that point, and it was hard to photograph both falls at the same time.

Directions:
1) From Siloam Springs in Arkansas (or West Siloam Springs in Oklahoma), head west on US-412 until you reach the entrance to the park.
2) Pay the $4 entrance fee and then turn left just past the entrance to head to the falls trail.

Accessibility: 10/10

Dewey Canyon Falls, Arkansas

2011-03-09T22:09:00.000-08:00

I just got back from waterfall hunting in Arkansas (and a side excursion in Oklahoma), and I'm trying to decide which waterfall to start with. Do I start with one of the more exciting waterfalls, or do I start with a waterfall that seems more representative of my experiences.

I guess the second seems to be the better option. I was very excited to visit waterfalls in Arkansas, as it looks like there are a number of taller waterfalls in the Buffalo River region and the Ozarks in general...that was my impression. This may have been one case of higher expectations not necessarily being met...but oh well.

Dewey Canyon Falls represents two aspects of my Arkansas waterfall experience:
1) Without much rain, Arkansas waterfalls are gosh darn boring. I figured showing up in March might lead to a better chance of water than, let's say, July...but I'm not sure about that. Maybe it was just a dry winter? It had rained a few days before, but that wasn't enough to make many of the waterfalls have significant flow.
2) Arkansas waterfalls aren't so easy to find. I'm trying to think of another area that I have had such difficulty in finding waterfalls. With the book on Arkansas waterfalls, I was able to find some more popular ones...but most of the waterfalls in the state seem to be found only after bushwhacking. Now I had horrible success with the EASY bushwhacking. With EASY bushwhacking, I was still mainly left completely confused, standing in thickets of wild roses, for the first time (that I could remember) hoping that I could actually find my way back to the car (and that's with a GPS in hand). I can't even IMAGINE medium or difficult bushwhacking, which eliminated a number of very cool-looking waterfalls.

Even finding Dewey Canyon Falls proved to be more difficult than I imagined. After following the directions, I spent a while trying to identify where the heck I was even supposed to go. GPS helped me identify the best place to park, and then I just hoped that was the right place! Luckily, I was going to see at least 1 or 2 waterfalls that day, after searching for four others without any success.

There are major bluffs in Arkansas, which present a challenge, but luckily there is a way to get an OK view of Dewey Canyon Falls, and it's nearby neighbor Bumpers Falls. It really depends on finding the trail that leads to the falls, though this was the one case where bushwhacking wasn't too bad. Once I got there, though, the small amount of water made it more difficult to photograph. Oh well...

Directions:
1) I started out in Big Flat.
2) From Big Flat, I headed east on AR-7 to the junction with AR-341.
3) At the junction of the two roads above, turn left on AR-341. You'll be heading north, which is the only way you can really head.
4) Go for almost 9 miles (just a little bit under) on AR-341. This is where it gets a little bit tricky. You're looking for the "first" time you see guard rails on both sides of the road, at least in a considerable distance. Before that, there may be guard rails on one side or the other, but this is the first time I recognized both around the 9 mile mark. If you're headed north, you'll actually have an easier time parking on the left side of the road (which means it might be easier to turn around at that point).
5) Once you're parked on the left side of the road right near the guard rail, head to the north (what I would consider the right end of the guard rail). If you go past the end of the guard rail for about 100 feet or so, you should notice a faint trail that leads into the woods. If you follow this trail, it actually leads you directly to the stream and the almost 90' plunge that Dewey Canyon Falls takes. Explore to get better views of the falls! Have fun! Be careful!

Accessibility: 8/10

Cypress Falls, British Columbia

2011-03-03T21:48:00.001-08:00

I spent some amount of time wandering around trying to find Cypress Falls. Cypress Falls park is found in West Vancouver. It's not too difficult to find, though at first, I was doubtful that I was allowed to park next to the park. The park is found in a very nice residential area, and I hope that nobody thought I was doing anything bad.

As you start walking along the trails, it's probably best to not have any expectations of time limits. In reality, it should only take about 15-20 minutes to hike to the falls...if you don't end up on a completely different part of the trail. I definitely ended up walking on a portion of the trail that wasn't leading anywhere specific. I realized that I wasn't hearing ANY flowing water, which is not a good sign. I finally decided to turn around and head back toward the parking area.

I decided to take a turn and was lucky enough to somehow find water, and I then followed the sounds to a portion of Cypress Falls. At that point, it was getting rather dark inside of the forest, hence the poor pictures. While the falls are not that big, it is an enjoyable hike. Even then, I still ended up exiting the park at a completely different point than where my car was parked, and had to hike down the street a ways to get back to the car. Be aware...there are no clear trail indicators.

Directions:
I would probably get better directions than this, but here seems to be the general idea.
1) From BC-99 in West Vancouver, take exit 4.
2) Take Woodgreen Drive to Woodgreen Place, which I found using a GPS.
3) Along Woodgreen Place is a park with a play set and an area that can be used for parking. Park there and begin the wandering.
Here is a map indicating things to look for (?): Cypress Falls Park

Accessibility: 9/10 (difficulty of hiking), 5/10 (actually finding the falls)

French River Falls, Minnesota

2011-03-02T16:58:00.000-08:00

The first thing that comes to mind when I think about French River Falls is the overwhelming scent of rotting flesh...Not really the first thing you WANT to come to mind when you're thinking about waterfalls, or anything for that matter (unless you're a dog or vulture, I guess). How did I arrive at the dead flesh point in the story? Well, there's stuff that went on before that...

Minnesota state route 61 is where many of the North Shore waterfalls are found. When going from Duluth to Grand Portage, French River Falls is found nearer Duluth. It is on the north side of the road. The river is surprisingly easy to find, but it's not nearly as easy to get to the waterfall. Well, maybe not hard, but deceiving. The first time I drove by, I wasn't even sure where to park. It seems so odd to just "pull off" on the side of a major road and just park, but that's essentially what you're supposed to do.

Once you park on the side of the road, there's no clear path to the falls, but it's still pretty obvious to head toward the bridge. Put bug spray on...I have a feeling there are likely ticks in the grass you have to tramp through. Once you get to the river, you have to maneuver down to the bottom. It's not so difficult, you just have to be careful. I don't remember it being easy to find a place, though, where you can get a full picture of the falls. That is probably because the smell of dead animal was deterring me from wanting to spend very long looking for a better view. Oh well, check it out, and you might have a better experience than me.

Directions:
1) If you're heading north on MN-61 from Duluth, the best way to find the falls is to look for the French River! I was actually Old/Scenic Highway 61, which is right near the lakeshore. It is very easy to notice the French River as you cross it. Right before the French River is a road, County Road 50 (or Ryan Rd.) If you turn left on this road, you can head toward MN-61 (the freeway). Instead of turning onto MN-61, head across the road and park on the side of the road. You'll be parked on the north side of the road, though traffic will be heading south.
2) Park on the side of Ryan Rd. and head north toward the French River. It is only a few hundred feet to the river, so if you don't reach it quickly, you're not at the right place!
3) Maneuver down to the falls.
(For other information, check out Waterfalls of Minnesota's North Shore by Eve and Gary Wallinga. It has information on other waterfalls along the North Shore.)

Accessibility: 9/10

Onondaga Falls, Pennsylvania

2011-02-24T19:42:00.000-08:00

It's been a while since I've posted anything about Ricketts Glen State Park, so maybe I'll re-summarize this great park. Ricketts Glen has 20+ waterfalls in a relatively short walk. I think it might be around 6 miles? I have to admit that it seemed very manageable, at least compared to other hikes I've been on. I visited in late May during Memorial Day weekend (actually just before), and it was really the perfect time to visit. The temperature was very comfortable, the spring wildflowers were in full bloom, as were the trees.

Onondaga Falls is not particularly memorable. Ganoga Falls is the tallest. Some are plain more scenic. The falls might actually be taller than appears in the picture.

Directions:
1) From your starting point, get to the area around Red Rock, PA.
2) Turn onto PA-487, heading north. Go to the entrance to Ricketts Glen and turn right into the entrance.
3) Follow the signs to the Falls Trail. If I remember correctly, you will keep heading toward the right to the parking lot.
4) When I visited in May 2009, the Lake Rose parking lot was closed. In order to access the Falls Trail, head toward Beach Lot #2. From Beach Lot #2, head back toward the drive that leads to a group of cabins. Keep walking down that road, and you will reach an information sign. Head straight down that trail, and it will connect into the Falls Trail.

Check out my note from Sheldon Reynolds Falls about precautions to take in Ricketts Glen.

Accessibility: 5/10

Other Falls Nearby: All of the waterfalls in Ricketts Glen

Unnamed Falls #1, Fiery Gizzard Trail, Tennessee

2011-02-19T13:24:00.000-08:00

It is fun to explore the Fiery Gizzard Trail. There are a number of waterfalls along the trail. Some of them have names, while others do not, at least not on the "official" map. I would say that maybe it has to do with being smaller waterfalls, but some of the named ones aren't really any larger. This is the first fall I encountered along my hike that didn't have a name, hence the title. I don't think that I could get particularly close to this waterfall, though this may have been the best angle from the trail.

Directions:
1) As you enter Tracy City along US-41, you should notice a sign indicating the Fiery Gizzard Trail/Grundy Forest.
2) Follow the signs to the trail, where you'll find a sign-in sheet and other information.
3) From here, follow either the Fiery Gizzard Trail or the Day Loop Trail, which can both lead to this falls, though you'll pass by different waterfalls along the way.

Accessibility: 7/10