{"id":562,"date":"2011-09-20T00:05:24","date_gmt":"2011-09-20T05:05:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.trailstealth.com\/blog\/?p=562"},"modified":"2011-09-20T00:05:24","modified_gmt":"2011-09-20T05:05:24","slug":"buckeye-falls-rich-mountain-fire-tower-chigger-ridge-overlook-and-more","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.trailstealth.com\/blog\/trailstealth\/buckeye-falls-rich-mountain-fire-tower-chigger-ridge-overlook-and-more.html","title":{"rendered":"Buckeye Falls, Rich Mountain Fire Tower, Chigger Ridge Overlook, and more…"},"content":{"rendered":"

Buckeye Falls\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n

In late February, I met up with fellow hikers<\/a> Rat Patrol, his son Tyler, and Fireball for a Buckeye Falls adventure.\u00a0 In case you have forgotten, or perhaps have not had the opportunity to read the hiker-blog about last year\u2019s Buckeye Falls expedition yet (there were 2 of them, one was a solo hike), as a reminder, Rat, Tyler and I climbed the left \u2018Buckeye\u2019 ridge to get a view of the \u2018big picture\u2019.\u00a0 That was a steep, gnarly climb and descent, especially with the slippery snow, but the view of the falls<\/a> from that distance was rather incredible.\u00a0 Having already accomplished that, and having not gazed up at the falls from the base in nearly 16 years, I was wanting to go there and experience that perspective.<\/p>\n

\"Buckeye<\/a>

Buckeye Falls<\/p><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

The water levels in Clarks Creek<\/a> were high–which is good for waterfall viewing\u2014thanks to all the snow-melt waters and the recent rains.\u00a0 Crossing the creek<\/a>, however, which you have to do several times to get to Buckeye Falls, was quite challenging<\/a> when the creek is that swift and deep.\u00a0 \u2018Rock-hopping\u2019 was not an option, and so while the others chose to get their boots wet and ford the cold, deep waters, I attempted to at least keep my boots and socks dry by taking them off before wading across, but that was rather time consuming.\u00a0 It really was nice to have warm, dry feet for the 1st mile, or so, but I eventually fell in the creek anyway, and it became pointless after that.\u00a0 It was good while it lasted, but it became painfully obvious that there was no way to get to the base of Buckeye Falls without getting wet when the creek is high.\u00a0 Clarks Creek, by-the-way, was rather scenic <\/a>in its own right, with whitewater cascading down the valley with a greater velocity than usual–water was flowing out of every hollow<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Clarks<\/a>

The Expedition Crossing Clarks Creek On The Way To Buckeye Falls<\/p><\/div>\n

It took awhile, but we eventually reached the turn off for the falls; the water flowing out of the Buckeye Hollow was more than I ever recall seeing before, forming a small waterfall where the Buckeye tributary joins the Clarks Creek, deep in the Sampson Wilderness<\/a>.\u00a0 Meanwhile, the ascent up to the base of the falls was rather brutal\u2014very steep with many obstacles to have to maneuver around, but the view of the water shooting off the top of the falls, getting airborne before cascading some estimated 600 feet down the solid rock wall<\/a> was mind-blowing.<\/p>\n

\"Confluence<\/a>

Confluence of Buckeye Creek and Clarks Creek<\/p><\/div>\n

I should caution anyone who should decide to visit these falls (they do get some traffic from now and then) to not attempt to climb them because it is very dangerous, and that would be a very bad place to break a leg, perhaps, if not worse.\u00a0 I have gotten lucky over the years, I suppose, but I have also had several close calls–just about every time I have been up there.\u00a0 The danger is not just from the likelihood of yourself falling and getting injured, but in the wintertime falling ice from the cliff wall could be extremely hazardous, as well.\u00a0 Just being there is dangerous, basically.\u00a0 Even on this year\u2019s expedition<\/a>, I had a potentially painful near trip and fall on the way back down from the base, so expect some hazard if you should ever go.<\/p>\n

\"Buckeye<\/a>

Buckeye Creek<\/p><\/div>\n

To get back to the adventure, the 4 of us eventually congregated on \u2018the island\u2019, a small patch of \u2018soil\u2019 at the base of the falls between the 2 channels of water, and took awhile to absorb the amazing scenery<\/a>, while the cold melt-waters of the falls cascaded down beside us<\/a>.\u00a0 Even though seating was limited on \u2018the island\u2019<\/a> and comfort was not an option, especially after cooling down and allowing leg muscles to stiffen, we must have sat there for over an hour enjoying the scenery<\/a>.\u00a0 While we were there, Rat and I toasted \u2018Paw Paw\u2019 and \u2018O’Keepa\u2019<\/a> (friends of ours who had passed in the recent few months) with the Makers Mark he had carried up there without my knowing.\u00a0 It was a surprise and a rare treat, and even made some of the chill from the wind and muscle pain dissipate somewhat.\u00a0 Not only for those reasons did I enjoy the shots of Makers Mark beside Buckeye Falls, but I think Paw Paw and O’keepa would have appreciated that kind of respect.<\/p>\n

“]\"Buckeye<\/a>

Buckeye Falls (zoom of top) photo courtesy of RATtreks.com<\/p><\/div>\n