A short walk from our campsite sits the Fall Creek Falls Nature Center, a bi-level structure that sits adjacent to The Cascades leading to Cane Creek Falls.
Suspension bridge across top of The Cascades
On October 28th, 1882, Leonard Hudson Bickford wrote a letter to his son Charles, and told him how to cut the timbers for a mill they were to build beside theses cascades Leonard Bickford came to this area from New Hampshire with a knowledge of building water-powered mills. The Bickford Mill was not the familiar water wheel type, but was powered by a high-speed turbine. A log dam, chinked with mud and leaves, diverted the creek to the metal turbine. Iron pins, used to anchor the dam and the mill, can still be seen atop the Cascades.
Corn was the only grain taken at the mill, and during good water conditions, 30 to 40 bushels per day could be ground. During low water conditions, the miller had to wait for water to back-up behind the dam. Wagons loaded with corn would come down the hill on the trail (from where this video was taken) and deliver to a loading dock on the side of the mill. While their corn was ground into meal or feed, farmers from miles around would sit, chew tobacco, and catch-up on local news. The mill served as their community center.
A sash mill and a shingle mill was also operated by the turbine’s water power. The The sash mill produced the material for a three room log and frame house built near this site. This was a convenient home for the miller’s family, since he often worked late into the night to finish a neighbor’s grindings.
In March of 1929, violent flood waters swept the mill over the Cascades and Cane Creek Falls. The mill had stood for forty years and served the people well. Imagine how it might have been, holding a team of houses by theses beautiful Cascades, waiting your turn to have a wagonload of corn ground at the Bickford Mill.
- Historical marker located adjacent to The Cascades.
Callie sizing-up the next obstacle
After successfully navigating across a higher and more “springy” suspension pedestrian bridge with The Boys, we spent some time at the base of the Cascades; taking in the misty downdraft and aquatic hissing as the water washed over the lip. From here we backtracked over the suspension bridge, which was now becoming “old hat” for The Boys, and headed to Cane Creek Falls Overlook.
Cane Creek Falls
The trail to Cane Creek Falls Overlook is an elongated loop that can be navigated via “The Gorge Trail.” providing breathtaking views of the valley below. This trail is anchored at the far end by the Fall Creek Falls Overlook, and runs a twisty parallel to the high road “The Woodland Trail.”
Our hike to Cane Creek Falls Overlook on The Gorge Trail was moderate in difficulty at best, with the trail being very well marked and maintained. Although it was a balmy 40-degrees, we kept our Gore-Tex zipped as we walked through the shaded and breezy trail. The last several meters to the overlook requires a bit more mountain goat agility, with 2-3’ drops across large boulders to the view at a rope-barrier precipice. After taking in the spectacular view from the overlook, we continued down The Gorge Trail, stopping along the way to enjoy hidden outcroppings with eagle views.
Kristy & Callie discover another epic view
Kristy capturing another memory while The Boys take a break
We reached the terminus of the trail at Fall Creek Falls Overlook, took a few more photos, reloaded on fluid and calories, and headed back via The Woodland Trail. The terrain was much different as we bisected the mountain. Reclusive springs released small threads of water from their underground captivity; granting their freedom as they start their long journey to the oceans. Hidden pockets of leaf-covered mire—a mixture of trapped spring water and decades of rich, decomposing forrest litter—peppered the trail. Our boots sank into this muddy mixture, as it climbed above our ankles and demanded equal attention amongst the diverse landscape. Rocks smoothly worn by centuries of natures rough hands; perpetually damp, providing a sustainable nursery for the various mosses. The mosses beautifully decorating the terrain with abstract patterns, but dangerously creating the traction-less surface akin to an icy oil-slick. The trek back was equal in grade, but much more technical; and we finally pulled off the trail as the sun dipped below the western edge of the Cumberland Plateau.
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