01/29/11: Horse Creek, Bankhead National Forest Trip Report
One of the more interesting creeks I’ve explored in Bankhead, if only because it
was so very different than any other creek I’ve seen in terms of geology. We found two
caves [and this is the last mention you’ll hear of them], saw Horse Creek Falls and
discovered another waterfall dropping down into a sink next to a very dry creek bed.
I began the hike at McLemore Cemetery with two friends, Jason and Jon, both of
which fairly new to my off trail excursions. After a brief wander around and
photographing old headstones, we cut downhill to a gated road bed, following it around a
bend before turning south through the briar filled woods, going over and under deadfall
as usual per these style hikes. With so much moisture still in the soil from the recent
rains and snow, it wasn’t long before we came upon some water beginning to flow here
in the headwaters of Horse Creek. We finally began to see some of the typical rock
formations so prevalent throughout the national forest with a few small cascades to enjoy.
At Horse Creek Falls we scoured the canyon, smaller than many I’ve stood atop,
but the land is never hard on the eyes, and we pondered a way down. After the idea of
shimmying down a tree was shot down, we followed a game trail for a ways until I
spotted a steep way down, which flattened out, leading us through a rock hallway of sorts
and just downstream of the falls. Jon had continued on the game trail much farther
downstream and missed seeing the falls completely. After a few photos we set out down
an old road bed that ran alongside the creek, stopping repeatedly to let Jon rest. Under
the weather, his adventure would end pretty fast not far past here. Tired of road walking,
I cut downhill and decided to follow the stream again, which was completely dry now. I
picked up the sound of water rushing from somewhere, though, and after looking around,
spotted a waterfall nearly completely hidden by brush on the hill side, and seeming to
disappear. A quick jaunt uphill revealed a 20-30ft waterfall with it’s own sink. I climbed
above the waterfall and found the spring, it’s source. From here I could see the other
feeder stream leading into Horse Creek, a very wide stream with a beautiful bluish green
color.
Here at the junction Jon decided to call it a day. A mile in this terrain was a bit
much, and he opted for staying behind while Jason and I kept going forward. By this
time the towering bluffs that’d started the canyon had dwindled down to random rock
outcroppings that were littered with springs. The creek bottom like many of the smaller
creeks was nearly completely silt free and the clear water and rock base still make me
smile. One just doesn’t find creeks like these anywhere anymore. After hopping smaller
feeder stream, we found a Beech tree with odd markings, steel cable and chains around
it’s base. Not terribly far away was another Beech with the name “Fred” carved into it,
though it was highly degraded and hard to read. After eating our lunches, and mildly
concerned about Jon, we headed back in the direction of the car. Instead of waiting for us
at the junction as planned, he left a note in the tree with rope and headed back to the car.
I briefly entertained the idea of going up the large feeder creek, but time constraints and
constant rock hopping made me reconsider things, and I’ll explore that section later, if
and when I return. We set out back for the car, amusingly picking up a strand of rope
tied to the tree here and there that Jon left for us to find our way out. Thoughtful, but we
both carried gps units and I had led the hike into the canyon completely beside a stream,
so the threat of becoming lost or disoriented was low. We did discover, however, that
Jon had placed about a dozen of these rope segments in the trees along his way out. I’m
still curious as to which way he really went. Regardless, we found him sleeping by the
car, dehydrated, and a little delirious from it all. Much rejoicing was had after some extra
cold bottled waters I had were passed out, and we got on our way home.
was so very different than any other creek I’ve seen in terms of geology. We found two
caves [and this is the last mention you’ll hear of them], saw Horse Creek Falls and
discovered another waterfall dropping down into a sink next to a very dry creek bed.
I began the hike at McLemore Cemetery with two friends, Jason and Jon, both of
which fairly new to my off trail excursions. After a brief wander around and
photographing old headstones, we cut downhill to a gated road bed, following it around a
bend before turning south through the briar filled woods, going over and under deadfall
as usual per these style hikes. With so much moisture still in the soil from the recent
rains and snow, it wasn’t long before we came upon some water beginning to flow here
in the headwaters of Horse Creek. We finally began to see some of the typical rock
formations so prevalent throughout the national forest with a few small cascades to enjoy.
At Horse Creek Falls we scoured the canyon, smaller than many I’ve stood atop,
but the land is never hard on the eyes, and we pondered a way down. After the idea of
shimmying down a tree was shot down, we followed a game trail for a ways until I
spotted a steep way down, which flattened out, leading us through a rock hallway of sorts
and just downstream of the falls. Jon had continued on the game trail much farther
downstream and missed seeing the falls completely. After a few photos we set out down
an old road bed that ran alongside the creek, stopping repeatedly to let Jon rest. Under
the weather, his adventure would end pretty fast not far past here. Tired of road walking,
I cut downhill and decided to follow the stream again, which was completely dry now. I
picked up the sound of water rushing from somewhere, though, and after looking around,
spotted a waterfall nearly completely hidden by brush on the hill side, and seeming to
disappear. A quick jaunt uphill revealed a 20-30ft waterfall with it’s own sink. I climbed
above the waterfall and found the spring, it’s source. From here I could see the other
feeder stream leading into Horse Creek, a very wide stream with a beautiful bluish green
color.
Here at the junction Jon decided to call it a day. A mile in this terrain was a bit
much, and he opted for staying behind while Jason and I kept going forward. By this
time the towering bluffs that’d started the canyon had dwindled down to random rock
outcroppings that were littered with springs. The creek bottom like many of the smaller
creeks was nearly completely silt free and the clear water and rock base still make me
smile. One just doesn’t find creeks like these anywhere anymore. After hopping smaller
feeder stream, we found a Beech tree with odd markings, steel cable and chains around
it’s base. Not terribly far away was another Beech with the name “Fred” carved into it,
though it was highly degraded and hard to read. After eating our lunches, and mildly
concerned about Jon, we headed back in the direction of the car. Instead of waiting for us
at the junction as planned, he left a note in the tree with rope and headed back to the car.
I briefly entertained the idea of going up the large feeder creek, but time constraints and
constant rock hopping made me reconsider things, and I’ll explore that section later, if
and when I return. We set out back for the car, amusingly picking up a strand of rope
tied to the tree here and there that Jon left for us to find our way out. Thoughtful, but we
both carried gps units and I had led the hike into the canyon completely beside a stream,
so the threat of becoming lost or disoriented was low. We did discover, however, that
Jon had placed about a dozen of these rope segments in the trees along his way out. I’m
still curious as to which way he really went. Regardless, we found him sleeping by the
car, dehydrated, and a little delirious from it all. Much rejoicing was had after some extra
cold bottled waters I had were passed out, and we got on our way home.