#fall waterfalls

A waning half moon seeded in a vibrant autumn sky above Lucifer falls, Robert Treman state park.

Waterfall in Deerfield park

Waterfall in Deerfield park, Mt. Pleasant, MI.  This is from a man made artistic pump in the park.  I captured the image with a long exposure I had to use an ND 8 filter on the end of my camera.  This was a 2 second capture at ISO 200 with the leaves falling I got a little bit of color however not as much as I would like.  The color of the mud is still there, the rocks, and some of the algae on…

Lower Calf Creek Falls - WOW! This is one of the most amazing features hidden away in the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument! What an amazing, and wet, adventure for the middle of the high desert!

Millions of years ago sand dunes, hundreds of feet high, drifted back and forth across the then Sahara-like desert that has since been petrified into what we now see - The majestic and ever fascinating, Navajo Sandstone. Over millions of years, the year-round erosive flow of the creek has carved its way deeper and deeper into the sandstone forming todays canyon. One of the most unique and luscious riparian habitats that has supported an abundance of plant and animal life for millions of years.

What a thrill to walk through the length of this three mile stretch of canyon knowing that mankind has used this very spot for millions of years to survive and thrive in the desert! The Fremont people grew corn, squash and beans along these banks. They also hunted deer, big horn sheep and caught fish in these waters. Traces of their past are around every corner. (Look closely at the picture below and you will see three HUGE pictographs! These images are typical of the Fremont style.)

As we hiked through the canyon I found myself in awe. Maybe this is the garden of Eden? It sure as hell fits the bill. Why would anyone leave? Is this a true Oasis? I couldn't help but think of the families that lived here, the children bathing and playing in the crystal clean waters. Fathers teaching their sons how to shoot an arrow. Mothers showing their daughters how to clean a hide. It was all so easy to picture. As if their spirits were there, going about their daily lives at this very moment. The canyon had seemingly captured their energy and preserved it. Maybe so that one day mankind can return to a more simple life once again. Maybe only as a relic of the past. Whatever it is, that energy is palpable here and I soaked in every ounce I could. 

Traveling deeper into the Canyon one will encounter many signs of past lives along the creek. If you look closely, high up in the canyon walls you will spot quite a few granaries. Some easier to see then others.

These granaries were used to store assorted food items and seeds by the Fremont over 800 years ago. At the same time one marvels at these ancient relics, signs of more recent habitation also survive. An old fence line erected by early pioneers and used to keep weaned calves in the natural pasture created by the box canyon above pulls you back to modern day and focusses one on the cool, clear waters babbling forth in front of you. 

The creek is the life force within the canyon. Without it, the majesty you experience here would not exist. As blood flows through our veins so does the water through this canyon.  Aquatic plants, insects and fish make their home within the creek itself. As one gazes into it, there is no denying the divinity of this sacred body.

As you trek further up the canyon you begin to notice a distant rumble. Or is it a hissing? At the same time the already green landscape begins to turn very lush.

The sound of birds and wind join in. Mist fills the air and the temperature drops. What bounty of nature awaits you around the next corner? My anticipation was crouched in my belly like a tiger ready to spring into action! My spirit awakened by the hike thus far was ready to soar on the moist wind carried from the ground skyward! My ears were keenly alert to every sound. One last corner to take...

Holy mackerel! 

What an amazing sight!

The desert waterfall loomed in front of me, reaching 126 feet into the sky!  The sandstone wall was covered in green and blue moss that took on a nearly neon glow. This was definitely a true oasis in the desert!

After cooling off in and near the waterfall we decided to head back down the trail toward the campground where we had set up earlier in the morning. Along the way we spotted another granary tucked away high above and happened upon a Beaver that quickly took cover under some foliage hanging into the creek. I do believe most of us also took some time to revel in the sight we had just seen as our three mile hike back was noticeably more quiet then on our way in, although everyones spirits were sky high.

Back in camp we fueled up with some good eats and then quickly decided to take a ride over the Hogs Back to scout out Upper Calf Creek. What's the Hogs Back? Upper Calf Creek? Oh yes my friends, there is more to the story, but we'll save that for another post! "Til then I'll leave you with one last picture. Shot from the very beginning of the Hogs Back looking down at the canyon that Calf Creek runs through...

Yup, that's Calf Creek down there on the bottom. But a tassel on the fringe of Mother Natures skirt. Easily overlooked by the casual passerby, amazingly rewarding for those who walk with eyes wide open!

Happy Wandering!

If you go:

The Calf Creek Recreation site is located along Utah Highway 12. Fifteen miles east of Escalante. The campgrounds at Calf Creek has fourteen camp sites. They are available on a first come first serve basis and all the spots are very nice, some more secluded than others. Camping will cost you a scant $5.00 per night. There is culinary water and bathrooms available at the campground only. No showers.