Keown Falls
Keown Falls is a spot near Calhoun that has been on my list for years, but because it isn't a very dramatic location and slightly distant from my usual haunts, I only visited for the first time this week.
Considering the time of year, there weren't many folks out in the park. Some shooting was happening at the nearby Chestnut Mountain range, but the trailheads were empty as well as the roads. The Keown Falls trail is a very mild looping hike through a beautiful stretch of woods, with the small creek that feeds the falls running alongside part of the way.
The trail climbs up the side of one ridge, offering distant views of the curious accompanying ridge that runs north-south through the John's Mountain Wilderness Area. If you look at this area on the map, and zoom out, there are some interesting formations of distinct ridges, valleys, and the bowl that Lake Marvin sits in.
Reaching the top of this trail, the falls became audible, but I understand this creek is sensitive to dry weather and will dry up completely during drought periods.
Even with our extremely damp weather lately (second wettest winter ever recorded here!), the falls is still a small one. It rains down on a rockbed below, with the lip of the falls overhanging a fair sized "cave" behind.
The trail continues on up and past the falls, and though I hadn't realized it, discovered that the trails joins up with the Pinhoti.
After months of early dark, lots of rain, and far too many indoor obligations, it was freeing to get some solitude and a chance appreciate the beauty of the falls and this quiet wilderness.
Considering the time of year, there weren't many folks out in the park. Some shooting was happening at the nearby Chestnut Mountain range, but the trailheads were empty as well as the roads. The Keown Falls trail is a very mild looping hike through a beautiful stretch of woods, with the small creek that feeds the falls running alongside part of the way.
The trail climbs up the side of one ridge, offering distant views of the curious accompanying ridge that runs north-south through the John's Mountain Wilderness Area. If you look at this area on the map, and zoom out, there are some interesting formations of distinct ridges, valleys, and the bowl that Lake Marvin sits in.
Reaching the top of this trail, the falls became audible, but I understand this creek is sensitive to dry weather and will dry up completely during drought periods.
Even with our extremely damp weather lately (second wettest winter ever recorded here!), the falls is still a small one. It rains down on a rockbed below, with the lip of the falls overhanging a fair sized "cave" behind.
The trail continues on up and past the falls, and though I hadn't realized it, discovered that the trails joins up with the Pinhoti.
After months of early dark, lots of rain, and far too many indoor obligations, it was freeing to get some solitude and a chance appreciate the beauty of the falls and this quiet wilderness.
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