We had quite
a bit of rain the last couple days so I’m thinking it should be a good day to go waterfall chasing. I have a couple places in mind that
I’ve been meaning to go check out and end up in Sand Gap at Native
American Falls. The parking area is on
the west side of Highway 7 south of Highway 123, the ‘Piney Creek WMA’ sign
that once stood at this spot is gone.
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first falls encountered along Indian Creek
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Out the back heading west is a very
visible trail, well-worn, obvious and easy to follow. All the colorful ribbon and flagging hanging
everywhere is completely unnecessary.
The trail starts downhill right away, first it's gentle but seems to get
steeper the farther I go, soon I can hear running water. Now the trail follows a little side
stream as it continues down to Indian Creek. |
Tumbling Cascade
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This is up near the top of the
Indian Creek drainage, I’m surprised at the amount of water flow in the creek which up
here is about ten feet wide on average.
The trail crosses on some flat rocks that are almost dry, then follows pretty close to the creek up on
the west bank. There are a bunch of
small, scenic water features through this area including small falls, short
cascades and a little spring just to the west of the trail.
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Native American Falls from the top
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About a hundred yards further where
a side drainage spills in from the east is a rocky tumbling cascade/waterfall
about twenty feet high. Another 100 feet
I arrive at the top of Native American Falls and scramble down the steep bank
about ten feet to a flat rock hoping to get a picture. The angle is all
wrong plus too many small tree branches obstructing the view not to mention I
just don’t feel comfortable here so close to the edge. |
the falls from the vista rock
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Back upstream maybe 50 feet from the
top of the falls I find a spot to cross keeping my feet dry then soon pick up
the trail again. Not far is a faint
trail intersection with the right fork going down onto the large rock crag that
overhangs above Indian Creek just below Native American Falls. A great vista point, I get a few shots of the
fall before continuing downstream another hundred feet or less to a rope. |
under the vista rock
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A yellow rope is tied to trees
heading down and slightly back to the north, although steep, with the
aid of the rope this descent is pretty easy. I reach bottom and continue upstream a short
way to a huge flat-topped boulder in Indian Creek 50-60 feet below the base of
Native American Falls. Tim Ernst lists
Native American as 41 feet tall, and today with the recent rains it looks
fantastic, I linger while enjoying the waterfall and taking pictures. |
Native American Falls
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The climb back out is also easy with
the assistance of the yellow rope, without which I would never have attempted
this climb. Above the rock crag vista, I
leave the trail and head up the hill to the northeast. The woods are fairly clean, so bushwhacking isn’t bad, I soon reach the side
drainage near the top of the Tumbling
Cascade mentioned above, crossing here above the falls I continue east up
through the woods. |
little slot falls
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Not very far is another little side
creek which I follow upstream passing first a nice little ledge waterfall about
5 feet tall. Then it’s a series of small
scenic waterfalls and short cascades going upstream as this side canyon get
steadily tighter and rockier. It becomes so
tight and cluttered with downed trees that I’m forced back up on the hillside
for a while before crossing over to the north side of the creek above a little
grotto. |
Hidden Grotto Falls
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After crossing I make my way back
downstream on the steep slippery hillside, down to some big rocks around the creek at the grotto. This is Hidden Grotto Falls, appropriately named
as it is well hid in a tight twist
in the creek. The waterfall while not tall at about ten feet drops through a slot between some large sharp rocks then plunges off a ledge before
disappearing in the back of the grotto.
The creek then curves around in the darkness behind a huge
rock before re-emerging out of the grotto into the light of day. A very pretty place although small and
rugged. |
near the headwaters of Indian Creek
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Back above Hidden Grotto is a
creek confluence where I take the left
branch upstream north with the last few little cascades before topping
out. I circle around to the north
maintaining this elevation soon reaching the well flagged Native American Trail, turning right it’s a short hike
up to the parking area. I had a great time today hiking just 1.7 miles with 370 feet of elevation gain. You could visit Native American Falls and
return the way you came for a total distance of 1.5 miles, but if the creeks
have water flow, I recommend a loop hike that includes Hidden Grotto with lots of
little water features along the way.
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Little Slot Falls
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Native American Falls: Statistics Chart 143 It couldn't be easier to get to (unless they replace the WMA sign), just go south on Scenic Highway 7 about 0.4 miles from the highways 7/123 intersection (Pelsor/Sand Gap) and park on the west side of the road in the ample parking area. |
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