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 down but
very rugged. The area around the falls and just upstream
from it is perhaps the most beautiful place in Pisgah Gorge.
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.
Hiking up Bryant Creek from the confluence is an option
but I have not done it. Or hiking down Bryant Creek from Co
Rd 376 to the confluence might be a better option and then
up Little Bryant Creek to Pisgah Civitan Park. Of course
this requires two vehicles. If you explore this, let me know
the results.
If you head downstream from the confluence it is 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. If you have a second vehicle it might be a all
day hike down to the Tennessee River. Since I haven't done
it to confirm how long it takes, go at your own risk and let
me know the results.
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 at Pisgah Gorge 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 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.
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 bit of effort, you can walk through
the woods 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 has been one of Alabama's best kept secrets.