Gal-Gone-Camping

Hello Friends!

You know, I have traveled a lot in my lifetime and one thing I’ve found to be the same everywhere, —-poor signage! Not just road signs either, there’s no discrimination when it comes to this issue, including trails.

Here’s Your Sign!

Well, I’m glad you asked! So, I finally made it to a trail I had been wanting to hike for some time at Bad Branch Falls State Nature Preserve in the Appalachian Mtns., near Whitesburg, KY.

The star at the end of this trail is a 65 ft. waterfall, a proclaimed attraction in this part of the state.  https://harlancountytrails.com/badbranch.php

I pulled into the parking lot of the trail head and noticed there was only one car there. Great! I thought, I’ll have the trail practically to myself! I hadn’t gone far when I met a guy coming out, now I did have the trail all to myself!

Where Is Bad Branch Falls???

The trail was great so far and soon I came to a sign that said ‘High Rock Falls’ pointing to the right, ‘High Rock’–straight ahead.

OK, so where was Bad Branch Falls? I could hear rushing water and figured it was somewhere up ahead, there must be two waterfalls, so I continued to walk, and walk…and walk…and walk some more. I could no longer hear the water, so obviously there was no other waterfall on this trail. It was getting later in the afternoon and I was really getting tired, so I turned around and started back. I had a “long way to go and a short time to get there” (everything’s a song with me ya know!)

 I Did Something You Should NEVER Do!

I had walked a long way, my feet were really hurting and I could feel myself weakening a bit.  Then it hit me–the joyous thought of “having the trail all to myself” kinda turned into “if something happened, there’s no one else on this trail.” It was the middle of the week and no one knew where I was. There was no cell service and I hadn’t told anyone where I was going–one of the things I always say NOT to do!

I’m not one to panic, and I still loved the idea of being the only one on the trail–that’s just who I am–a loner, but I did exercise more caution, taking each step slowly and more carefully.  This was a fairly rugged trail with lots of rocks and roots, so it wouldn’t have been too hard to trip–especially for a bull in a china shop type person like me.

I began to hear the rushing water again and finally came to that sign.  No way was I gonna come  this far and not see a waterfall, even if it wasn’t Bad Branch Falls! So, as tired as I was and as bad as my body was aching, I followed the trail to High Rock Falls.  I walked a pretty good ways and then came to a steep wooden stairway that led up the mountain.  I stood there a minute, looked up at it, and thought “Can I make it?”  Like the ‘Little Engine That Could,’–“I think I can!, I think I can!”–so I did!  At the top of the steps the path winded around a rock cliff and finally it came into view–a beautiful, huge waterfall that poured above the mountain into a pool at the bottom, creating a cool, inviting place to take a dip–toes or full body.

Trail Magic Is Real!

I had been having battery issues with my phone for some time; putting off getting a new one, so I had not taken very many pics on the trail, trying to save the battery for when I got to the waterfall.  I sat down on a rock to rest and just take in the magnificence of the scene before me.  I really wanted to hike down to the bottom but it was still a good ways out of this area and then back out to the trail head, so I decided to just get a pic where I was and head back. I got my phone out to take the pic–and yep–it was dead!!

I came all this way–actually went way out of the way to see this waterfall and now I wasn’t even gonna have a picture of it– Really???!!!  Disheartened, I turned to leave, and out of nowhere was this man and his little boy!  They lived locally and came here often.  I told him my phone dilemma and asked if he would take a pic of me with the waterfall in the background and send to me later.  He obliged, and I knew then the meaning of “trail magic” which Appalachian Trail hikers describe as ” an unexpected occurrence that lifts a hiker’s spirits and inspires awe or gratitude.”  It really does exist, I had just experienced it first hand!

I Wasn’t The Only One!

I was dragging by the time I got back to my vehicle, but I made sure to look at the map and signage again and there was nothing that said anything about Bad Branch Falls.  Why would a place be called Bad Branch Falls when the actual waterfall is called High Rock Falls? I did a little research later and learned that Bad Branch is the name of the creek that runs along the trail.  Wouldn’t it make more sense to have a sign that says Bad Branch Creek?

That way there is nothing that suggests there is a waterfall called Bad Branch Falls when there actually isn’t.

Turns out I wasn’t the only one who thought this.  There are some comments in the reviews about the misleading sign.  High Rock, the trail I was on, led to the top of a mountain (I learned later) and provided a wonderful view.  I would’ve like to have hiked all the way to that, but just didn’t have time.  With my little unintended detour, I wound up hiking over 7 miles that day!  Another thing to remember–read the reviews BEFORE you go somewhere!

Whitesburg–Mountain Town

I still wanted to carry out my plan which was to go to downtown Whitesburg after my hike, take some pics and then cap the evening (this was originally going to be an overnight trip), at a local park to see an outdoor concert.

The drive from the trail head parking lot to downtown Whitesburg gave me and my phone a chance to charge up.  Whitesburg is an awesome little mountain town whose claim to fame is the Appalshop, a media, arts and education center that has been          documenting and celebrating the Appalachian culture through various forms since 1969.  Another must do when in Whitesburg is KY Mountain Mist–a craft moonshine distillery.

I mean after all, you are in moonshine making country!  For some good eatin’, check out Pine Mountain Grill--the most popular restaurant in Whitesburg.

Change Of Plans–Missed Ace!

After my little spin through town, I headed to Riverside Park which is situated down over a hill, kinda like in a little valley.  An outdoor concert was being held there by none other than Ace Frehley, member of the legendary rock band KISS! Ace Frehley in Whitesburg, KY–population less than 2,000!   He was always my favorite band member of this great group.  Wow!–literally and Ace in the hole!  Unfortunately, a storm was brewing and it wasn’t looking too good for an outdoor concert.  I hung around for a while, weathering the rain, but even after it quit, the opening act hadn’t even come on stage yet, so I left.  I don’t know if it ended up being cancelled or not, but I cancelled this part of my plan as well as the overnight stay (which was gonna be stealth camping in a parking lot–testing out some gear), but I had enough adventure for one day!

Don’t Do What I Did!

I had a good time at Bad Branch Falls even with the sign issue.  The trail is great, the scenery is beautiful, and the waterfall–whatever name they wanna call it–is spectacular, but please ALWAYS LET SOMEONE KNOW WHERE YOU ARE GOING!

I know better and even though nothing happened, I’m kicking myself because I know it can.  Something did happen one time that put me in real danger, but that’s another story.  By the way, I now have a new phone!

Until next time remember…DON’T WAIT TO LIVE!

See ya down the road!

Catrina