A December 31st. hike to Laurel Fork Creek from the West Entrance in Big South Fork.
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- čas přidán 3. 02. 2024
- December 31, 2023 turned out to be a pretty nice day to end the year. It was also the last day to get a hike in before the new year started. I had never hiked this trail to Laurel Fork Creek. This trail is nice and well maintained as it makes its way out a ridge through the hardwood forest before dropping off down to Laurel Fork. Laurel Fork Creek is one of several streams in Big South Fork that is totally contained within its boundaries. The water is exceptionally clean and clear. It is a sight to behold. Along the trail we located a cliff line containing a small double arch. We couldn’t immediately locate a route to the bottom of the cliff. Further exploration will have to wait until another day. It will happen too. There’s a really good chance to locate some rarely seen rock formations and possibly a couple of waterfalls. That’ll be a fun day for sure!
A Sunny winter day in the woods. That a really wonderful day in so beautiful nature. 😊😊😊
It’s surprising but so welcome to have these warm Winter days. I’ll take them every time! It’s still unseasonably warm so I have to get out there again soon.
Thank you Eventyrsoren. I appreciate it.
Take care my friend.
Thanks for the video of the last hike for 2023
I think the last hike of the year was a pretty good one. It also revealed some interesting things that need to be explored on a return trip.
We have a saying here in Big South Fork… “One hike always leads to another.” That’s nearly always true when we get off the trail. There are hundreds and hundreds of undocumented arches, waterfalls and formations waiting to be discovered.
Thank you ihrescue. Take care and stay safe!
Loved seeing the creek again. I could pack a chair and sit by that creek all day long. Finding that hole/arch was neat.
The clearness of the stream is evidence that protecting a watershed works. Wouldn’t it be nice to camp beside that stream and let it lull you to sleep?
We’ve got to get back down there and find that arch from below. There may be all kinds of cool stuff down there!
That's a beautiful area and a beautiful day in the woods.
I’ve got to get back down there under those cliff lines soon. The days are getting longer so I’ll have more daylight to prowl around.
Thank you John. Please take care, stay safe and healthy!
Thanks for making your videos Papaw! Big South Fork is such a special place. My husband and I thru hiked the Sheltowee a couple years ago and the Big South Fork was such an amazing part of the trail. Thanks for making such awesome videos about such an awesome place!
Thank you so much Coco. If you and your husband ever return to Big South Fork and need help with anything please let me know. I’d be happy to help you with whatever you need.
Take care and stay safe.
That's so sad about the man who accidentally killed his own daughter,I'd have a hard time living with that. Pretty cool stumbling upon those little arches! It's always nice to run into a viewer of your channel,that's only happened to me on a couple of occasions as not too many folks watch mine to begin with,lol! Great day out my friend!
That big shade tree is actually a way marker tree from before there was roads. They always have a 90° corner in them
@@jilletta1 Thanks jilletta. I know where several of those marker trees are in Big South Fork and Pickett State Park. It just never entered my mind about this one. I appreciate you pointing that out. It makes total sense now that I think about it. That ridge is the only one close where you can actually get down to Laurel Fork. All the others end with big cliffs on the end.
Take care my friend.
In the spring, at the bottom (turn right at the sign before the creek) there are many pink lady slippers.
My late Grandmother’s favorite flower was Lady Slippers. I’ll look for those this Spring. Thank you Renee. Take care.
Hey Papaw! Thanks for the video! I had a question, I'm looking for a good wildflower hike up in Big South Fork, and I figured who better to ask than you. Any recommendations? Thanks!
Thanks JayandLin17. I appreciate it!
I have a few suggestions for good wildflower hikes. My first choice would be Rock Creek Loop. In late April, early May this trail has more wildflowers than anywhere else I’ve ever seen, and a great variety of different kinds. One piece of advice, hike this trail clockwise. It’ll save you a steep uphill near the end of a 9 mile hike.
Honey Creek Trail is also a good one. In May you should be able to catch the Flame Azaleas in bloom. There’s plenty of other wildflowers too.
The long version of Twin Arches Loop is very good also, especially the section along Station Camp Creek between Charit Creek Lodge and Jake’s Place.
Angel Falls Trail is awesome in spring and fall. If the 4 miles to Angel Falls isn’t enough, just walk across the Hwy 297 bridge, down the staircase and hike the trail down the other side of the river. There’s plenty of wildflowers there too. They start blooming in March on that side of the river.
There are many more trails with plentiful wildflowers too. These are just favorites of mine. Remember, the fall wildflowers are gorgeous in Big South Fork too. I probably prefer them over spring flowers.
You can’t go wrong here. BSF is amazing!