| ALABAMA'S
MOST
BEAUTIFUL
PLACES
|
Pisgah Gorge
By
Frank Emory |
Click any image for a full size photo tour
Second falls - view from the overlook
Little Bryant Creek below the second falls
Pisgah Gorge - view from overlook
Pisgah Gorge - third falls
Third falls - Little Bryant Creek
Waterfall up the bluff above Jones Creek
In the northeast corner of Alabama, three creeks form a
canyon that runs from the top of Sand Mountain, and in
under two miles, drops more than 1,000 feet into the
Tennessee River. Known as Pisgah Gorge, yet unknown to the
vast majority of Alabamians, this is one of the most
beautiful natural areas in the state.
Little Bryant Creek
As you enter the town of Pisgah from the south, turn
left at the sign to the Pisgah Civitan Park. Walk into the
woods behind the ball field and you will soon come to a
trail that follows the rim of the canyon along Little
Bryant Creek. It starts at an old dam site and then
follows the rim of the canyon above three waterfalls. The
trail ends at an inspiring overlook atop a rock
bluff. From there you can look upstream to view the
second waterfall or look far down the canyon toward the
Tennessee River. This is an easy hike, suitable for most
anyone except for the fact that the overlook has no
protective barriers.
If you are up to the challenge there is a steep way down
to the area below the third falls. It's not that far. The
area around the falls and upstream from it is perhaps the
most beautiful place in Pisgah Gorge.
Jones Creek
If you want to explore downstream, the Bryant / Little
Bryant confluence that forms Jones Creek is not far. There
is no trail. Instead, there are thousands of rocks to
negotiate to get there. They sit on top of each other,
some like a cocked gun, waiting to be stepped on
before they find their final resting place. It's difficult
walking when stones move beneath your feet and it's hard
to tell which ones will move. I touched the side of a
precarious looking one, weighing two or three hundred
pounds, with the leg of my tripod and it shifted onto it,
bending it permanently. You can find a picture of the
confluence in The Natural Beauty Of Alabama.
After the confluence if you head downstream on what is
now called Jones Creek, it isn't far before you find a
small branch flowing down the side of the canyon. You can
pick your way up the side of the canyon through the stones
to the fourth falls. It is unique and if there is enough
water, it's worth the effort.
I haven't been much further downstream on Jones Creek
because hiking through the rocks really wears you out.
It's some of the most difficult hiking, if you can call it
that, in Alabama. Hiking up Bryant Creek from the
confluence is also an option although I have not been
there yet.
This beautiful Alabama gorge has remained pristine for
thousands of years. It empties into the 'Tennessee River
at Jones Cove, which is said to be the last place in
Alabama where Boy Scouts were allowed to swim in natural
waters. The last time I was there it seemed as
pristine as anywhere in Alabama. Recently, however, a
4,000-count hog factory has been built between Bryant and
Little Bryant creeks. In spite of waste management
controls, I would wager that storm water runoff
occasionally makes its way into the gorge. Sand Mountain
concerned citizens tried to block the building of the hog
factory, but it was only a matter of time.
The first time I took my son, age twelve at the time, to
Pisgah Gorge, I made an effort to counter his dare devil
spirit. We started at the upper waterfalls and while I
tried to concentrate on compositions, he became occupied
with defying danger. I stopped twice to point out hidden
dangers but of course it fell mostly on deaf ears. He
didn't grasp the consequences of carelessness until later
down in the canyon when I slipped from a bolder I was
climbing. I slid feet first, scraping and bruising myself
until my feet hit the ground, then fell backwards into a
rare spot of water that was void of rocks. By the way, I
find it most annoying when someone shouts to you while
you're falling backwards under water. You have a reflexive
reaction to assure them you are OK, but time slows while
you sink and then wait helplessly to surface. After I shed
my soggy jacket and poured the water out of my camera, the
wet chill put an abrupt end to the trip. I was freezing
and couldn't get out of the canyon fast enough, but at
least the trip taught my son a lesson.
Gorham's Bluff
A few miles away, on the other side of the town of
Pisgah is another Alabama treasure, Gorham's Bluff. At the
top of the bluff you can see miles down into the Tennesse
Valley across the river. With a little effort, you
can walk from the top of the bluff down to the Tennessee
River. Although a steep grade, it is not nearly as
difficult as walking down into Pisgah Gorge.
One of America's top rated bed & breakfast lodges
offers a prime view. They also rent cottages, offer
gourmet dining and occasional entertainment in their
amphitheater. Gorham's Bluff is one of Alabama's
best kept secrets..
