spring_mountain_high
New member
Started around 9:45. Very few cars in the upper lot at that time. After passing under the railroad trestle, it's straight up to the cliffs. I think it's roughly a 1200 ft gain in less than a mile with some tricky scrambling and stream crossings. having my 30+ lb son on my back made it a more strenuous workout. In fairness, he did walk the portion up until the trestle, and then again along the ridge after the cliffs. The top of the cliff is a great view, and a good place for lunch.
as I recall it was about 2 miles along the ridge, with some nice views between the trees, and then we hit the junction for the spur down to the base of the falls. On a hot day the water was just what the doctor ordered and I had a good soak.
The break made the climb back up to the main trail much easier, then we descended the arethusa falls trail back down the lot. We took our time on this hike and got back to the car a little after 3pm. We ran into only 3 groups before we hit the falls trail, as I guess most folks just go up and down for the falls. The solitude was really nice. A round of cider slushies topped off a great day in the woods.
![1000450_10200928180784091_259502209_n.jpg](https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/1000450_10200928180784091_259502209_n.jpg)
as I recall it was about 2 miles along the ridge, with some nice views between the trees, and then we hit the junction for the spur down to the base of the falls. On a hot day the water was just what the doctor ordered and I had a good soak.
![1003306_10200928181344105_1159458341_n.jpg](https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/1003306_10200928181344105_1159458341_n.jpg)
The break made the climb back up to the main trail much easier, then we descended the arethusa falls trail back down the lot. We took our time on this hike and got back to the car a little after 3pm. We ran into only 3 groups before we hit the falls trail, as I guess most folks just go up and down for the falls. The solitude was really nice. A round of cider slushies topped off a great day in the woods.