Friday, May 6, 2016

Waterfalls Expedition!

The twin falls of Falling Water Creek were recently visited by 18 members of the Women Hiking the Ozarks group.
The falls are located just a few miles beyond the popular hiking spot called Pedestal Rocks and King's Bluff.  Our group stopped there , because it was the last place we would be able to use a "seated toilet" for several hours!
Blackberry bushes were blooming on this fourth day of May in 2016.


We also came across large Lady Slipper wildflowers blooming along our hiking trail.
This view of the Falling Water Creek falls was taken from the road where we parked.  It is not often you can just pull off a road to see such a pretty waterfall.
This photo was taken from the level area below the falls, which is easily reached by climbing down the big boulders adjacent to the road.  Notice some of the ladies standing on the ledge beside the waterfalls on the right.
Past the level areas of Twin Falls, the water continues its downward route.  One of our hikers is shown in this photo, contemplating on whether or not she should hop across the swiftly flowing water.
One can "boulder" over the rocks adjacent to the steam to get photos of the water tumbling over the stones.  My friend, Peggy, can be seen at the top of the photo, capturing a shot of the "bubbling brook".
We continued to follow the road beside Falling Water Creek, to the low water bridge.  We stopped here to park our cars, and put on our gear for a hike in the woods.
This sign was at the entrance of the trail we would be on the next several hours.
The trail started out looking like a "two wheeler" trail, but quickly narrowed  down to a single lane.
There are several smaller creeks that travel down the mountains to drain into Falling Water Creek.
This large outcropping of flat stone is an excellent gathering place along the trail!
We enjoyed seeing how the rock formations cascades along the banks of the stream, like stacks of pancakes.
With some additional climbing, we finally made it to another waterfall we were seeking.
This very tall drop is called "Horsetail Falls".
Some of the ladies climbed a steep hillside to find "Upper Horsetail Falls".  I stayed behind because the poison ivy was completely covering the area one had to traverse.
A group of adventuresome women continued on past the big slab, and inched their way around the layers of rock to see what lay beyond the bend in the creek.
I enjoyed having lunch on the sunny waterside location. 


One of our group started making her way over to the waterfall, so she could "stand up under it".  I am using that image to help me remember one of my First Place 4 Health ( www.FirstPlace4Health.com ) memory verses that says, "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man.  And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.  But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can STAND UP UNDER IT."  1 Corinthians 10:13 .
At the end of the Box Canyon Trail, we found another one of the waterfalls we were seeking.
I sat my camera on Manual, with a slow shutter speed, to make the falls appear "fuzzy", as the name of this waterfall is "Fuzzy Bu_ _". 
This photo shows why the end of the trail is called "Box Canyon", as its entrance is within these canyon walls, and there is no other exit (except to climb out the top)!
The last waterfall I visited on this day is called Six Finger Falls.  It is also very close to the road.

Giant boulders can be climbed to get a different perspective on the various sections of the waterfalls.

This stack of rocks make you understand where the word "Table Rock" comes from, as it looks like a giant table on a pedestal!
My iPhone camera will take a panoramic photo, so I gave it a try on this view of the Six Finger Falls, and the creek beyond the falls.  All of this beauty in the Ozarks is a wonderful reminder of glory of God's creation, and gives me "MILES OF SMILES"!!