For the middle of winter, the weather today sure is nice, so we just had to get out and do something. The goal then is easy, just get out for a nice drive, check
out the campground at Richland Creek Wilderness and maybe find Keefe Falls. After stopping at Falling Water Falls
for the mandatory viewing, we continue down to the campground. At the entrance
we find a locked gate and sign stating, 'campground closed due to the
government shutdown'.
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Falling Water Falls
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Hmm...oh well, on to Keefe Falls! Five
years ago, we tried to find Keefe Falls but were evidently in the next drainage
north. Today with better directions, we have no problem. There is a good trail
that heads east up the hollow on the north side of a little creek,
then turns to the north where the creek forks. This trail crosses the north
fork a couple times and soon ends at Keefe Falls. The falls are
running a little weak today, but still pretty impressive. Tall Keefe Falls and the tight
canyon are beautiful.
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Terry Keefe Falls
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After spending some time enjoying Keefe Falls, we make our
way back down to where the north fork meets the south fork. Here we decide to try hiking up the east side of the south fork to Splashdown Falls. After passing the
small yet pretty falls 3, the drainage becomes steep and rough. With huge
boulders to climb over and around, we decide enough is enough. Splashdown
Falls will have to wait for another day, and hopefully an easier route. We return the way
we came back to the car. Today we hiked about 1.5 miles, with an elevation
change of 250 feet.
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rocky south fork
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Keefe Falls: Statistics Chart 2 There
are a couple good parking spots next to Falling Water Road (FR1205)
approximately 1.1 miles north of the concrete bridge over Falling Water Creek
or 2.85 miles south of the concrete bridge over Richland Creek.
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