June 5: Starting at the Greeter Falls parking lot, our intrepid band of four (Tom, Tammy, Randy, and Betsy) launched ourselves into Big Creek Gulf. The trip leader suggested waiting until we came back to do the extra loop down to Greeter Falls (as she knew we were embarked on a long, difficult trail), but no, the group really wanted to see the falls first (as they knew that they would be too tired at the end of the hike to do any extra mileage). The falls was indeed magnificent, as was the one-way spiral staircase that made the descent possible. There’s a smaller falls just upstream that, while not as spectacular, has a lot of character. Then there is Boardtree Falls, more of a cascade, where the Greeter Falls loop connects back to the main trail. Three waterfalls in less than a mile!Once we descended into the gulf using the Big Creek Gulf trail, we had many opportunities to see the water jumping over and winding around the boulder-strewn creek…until the water disappeared. This is what water likes to do on the plateau. In this particular case the water casually flowed into a small cave, leaving behind all the boulders and rocks. This made it quite easy to get to Ranger Falls, which is on a spur trail on the other side of the abandoned boulders and rocks. This spur trail is very cool, burrowing into a lush green woods that reminded one of the hikers of Jurassic Park. The other hikers concentrated intently for any shudderings in the ground. Ranger Falls was also quite splendid—and of course the water at the bottom of the falls slushed back into caves underneath the falls. One of our hikers, curious as a cat, went down to to check out the disappearing water and found a deep dark cave taking in water that was heading back the way it came. Where is all this water going??Onward we pressed to get to the Stone Door Trail, which involves a lot of uphill before it gets to the Stone Door. This incredible crack in the rock was used by native Americans centuries ago. It must have been a happy surprise to the first ones who discovered it, as it provides a rare and relatively easy way through the towering cliffs. It could, however, be improved by adding an alcove with a bench halfway up. The best part about the Stone Door is getting to the flat top of the plateau. The Big Creek Rim Trail is a cinch after what we had already traversed: mostly flat, mostly without rocks, and lovely views. It does however have roots that are out to get you. One particularly sinister root got one of us, but she survived to trip another day. The last mile or so back to the cars seemed awfully long. Yet Randy somehow lured all of us to take a short spur to see the remnants of the Greeter homestead. They were hearty people! We felt pretty hearty ourselves, having put 12.6 miles under our feet. The trip leader was mystified as to where the extra mile or so came from. But all’s well that ends well!
If you would like to see some interestin g pictures taken during this hike, click here.