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Tell me about Little River Canyon Preserve.
Posted on 4/12/16 at 9:14 pm
Posted on 4/12/16 at 9:14 pm
Thinking about making a camping trip up there. If you have been, tell me about it.
5
Posted on 4/12/16 at 9:43 pm to Cool Hand Luke
It's a really pretty site. I do primitive camping and you can get a campsite on the bluff. Before the falls area there is a pull off where you can hike down to a spot that was supposedly fortified by a welsh prince who came to America before Columbus.
Posted on 4/12/16 at 10:17 pm to Cool Hand Luke
It's the largest mountaintop river in the U.S. and is also the deepest canyon east of the Mississippi. If you can whitewater kayak, put in at the Chairlift section and run it till you hit the park at the bottom. It has a few class 4s, but you can easily port them. It's one of the most scenic runs you can do. Sitting in a kayak looking up the canyon is spectacular. We used to jump off the falls, but they've restricted it. If you're a thrill seeker, I'm sure there will be others jumping anyway. If you do jump, cross the river at the top side of the falls and jump on the right side:
Also, if there has been rain and the river is flowing well, trek to the Suicide Section and watch the kayakers. You'll usually be able to tell if they're running, as they'll start on the left side of the falls. It's some world class 5 creeking.. Chairlift starts right below Suicide.
Check out DeSoto State Park. You can reasonably rent cool CCC built cabins and drive into Little River. It's about a 15 minute drive. My wife and I usually stay there for our visits. Also, make sure you check out DeSoto falls.
ETA: And if you're a country music fan, Alabama is from there, they all live in the area. Too bad UA ruined Dixieland Delight, or I'd tell you to flip it on when you roll in.
Also, if there has been rain and the river is flowing well, trek to the Suicide Section and watch the kayakers. You'll usually be able to tell if they're running, as they'll start on the left side of the falls. It's some world class 5 creeking.. Chairlift starts right below Suicide.
Check out DeSoto State Park. You can reasonably rent cool CCC built cabins and drive into Little River. It's about a 15 minute drive. My wife and I usually stay there for our visits. Also, make sure you check out DeSoto falls.
ETA: And if you're a country music fan, Alabama is from there, they all live in the area. Too bad UA ruined Dixieland Delight, or I'd tell you to flip it on when you roll in.
This post was edited on 4/12/16 at 10:21 pm
Posted on 4/13/16 at 12:42 am to AUbagman
That is a beautiful park. I will be camping in a pop up with two kids. Probably won't be kayaking the rapids. Just enjoying the outdoors and maybe some bike riding around the campground.
Posted on 4/13/16 at 12:46 am to Cool Hand Luke
Desoto Falls and surrounding trails are a must. Even if you went to that area for the day you could drive, hike around, and take a dip in the pool under the falls
Posted on 4/13/16 at 8:40 am to AUbagman
quote:
Check out DeSoto State Park. You can reasonably rent cool CCC built cabins and drive into Little River. It's about a 15 minute drive. My wife and I usually stay there for our visits. Also, make sure you check out DeSoto falls.
+1 for everything he says about DeSoto. Love the place.
If you go to LRC and like to fish bring an ultralight or even better, a fly rod. The Redeye bass are stunningly beautiful.
Unfortunately, not my pic but here's an example.
Posted on 4/13/16 at 9:09 am to JustGetItRight
Y'all are making feel bad for never having been to Desoto State Park.
Posted on 4/13/16 at 9:31 am to Aubie Spr96
Go this weekend. It's one of the prettiest parts of the state. Love it up there.
Posted on 4/13/16 at 10:32 am to The Spleen
We are definitely going now. I never realized northern Alabama had all of that. I just stumbled opon some pics.
Posted on 4/13/16 at 10:52 am to Cool Hand Luke
It has been years since I have been "up north". I would meet some friends and play golf at Mentone, Al. It was a short, hilly course and later an artificial ski slope was added. Less than 10 miles to Desoto State Park.
Just checked and mr. google showed me this: LINK
Just checked and mr. google showed me this: LINK
Posted on 4/13/16 at 2:13 pm to Cool Hand Luke
One of my favorite spots to visit and one of the prettiest places in Alabama. Be sure to take the scenic drive. I believe it's about 11 miles with some overlooks. Make sure to get out at Eberhart Point on the scenic road. If you like to hike, there is a fantastic trail called the Eberhart Trail. The trailhead is at the overlook. It'll take you to the canyon floor and along the river. It's unmarked and can be challenging at times depending on how many trees, big rocks, etc. have fallen and you need to navigate through. The scenery is outstanding though. I'll usually spend about half a day hiking down and back to the the overlook. You could spend longer if you wished. Just be prepared it's quite the hike back up the canyon wall. If you're looking for something easier try the Beaver Pond Trail or the Canyon Mouth Trail. The Canyon Mouth trail is just off the picnic area and is a good place to walk off some lunch/dinner. I like to climb up and sit out on the big rocks and just relax and enjoy nature.
Posted on 4/13/16 at 8:50 pm to Cool Hand Luke
Beautiful place i snap these a couple years back.
This post was edited on 4/13/16 at 8:55 pm
Posted on 4/14/16 at 12:54 am to JCinBAMA
This is a good time to go, but my favorite time up there is fall. There's a chill in the air in the mornings, and the canyons are walled in red, orange and gold.
In addition to Little River Falls and Desoto Falls, there are some other hikes that take you out to smaller, less frequently visited falls.
In addition to Little River Falls and Desoto Falls, there are some other hikes that take you out to smaller, less frequently visited falls.
Posted on 4/14/16 at 9:42 am to Evolved Simian
We would be going in early June. Hopefully it will be somewhat cool up there.
Posted on 4/17/16 at 2:06 pm to Cool Hand Luke
As mentioned previously the kayaking in LRC is world class but deserves major respect. Not a river where you want to get in over your head. Upper 2 and Suicide have been the site of more than one fatality over the years and these were VERY good boaters.
Posted on 4/17/16 at 2:08 pm to Cool Hand Luke
It'll be warm, but shouldn't be unbearable. The water will be cool and feel great though. Tons of little swimming holes around there to cool off in.
Posted on 4/17/16 at 4:06 pm to Chilton4Bama
quote:
As mentioned previously the kayaking in LRC is world class but deserves major respect. Not a river where you want to get in over your head. Upper 2 and Suicide have been the site of more than one fatality over the years and these were VERY good boaters.
Most definitely, respect is a must. I definitely didn't want to downplay the dangers, but all of the rapids below Suicide in the Chairlift section can be ported, leaving you with some of the most tranquil and breathtaking views of the canyon. I want to say Bottleneck is the only spot on Chairlift with multiple fatalities.
When I first started kayaking - with about 3 months of experience - I floated Chairlift. It was incredibly dumb, as I didn't port any rapids and hadn't perfected my roll in whitewater conditions. Anyway, I made it unscathed, never left the kayak. My confidence level was high since I had navigated two class 4s, so I proceeded to the Ocoee the following weekend. I made it about half way down unscathed but the river proceeded to eat my lunch. I flipped, hit my head hard on a rock underwater (yes, I had helmet on), inhaled some water, and had to struggle to get out of the river because I was so dazed and out of breath. It was at the point I learned a healthy respect for whitewater.
ETA: For those that are just getting into kayaking, there is a great river to learn on - Locust Fork in Blount County:
It's a class 2 river, but can be a high 3 at large flow. Low consequence, but has some fairly technical spots to practice on for a river in its class.
This post was edited on 4/17/16 at 4:13 pm
Posted on 4/18/16 at 7:27 am to Cool Hand Luke
Cherekee Rock Village
Cherekee Rock Village is very close to there.Very cool place to walk around.People Rock Climb up there.You can walk right up on a lot of huge Rocks up there that have 80 ft faces on the other side.
It's on top of the Mountain.You can sit right here.
Cherekee Rock Village is very close to there.Very cool place to walk around.People Rock Climb up there.You can walk right up on a lot of huge Rocks up there that have 80 ft faces on the other side.
It's on top of the Mountain.You can sit right here.
Posted on 4/18/16 at 10:44 am to tidalmouse
quote:
Cherekee Rock Village
It's also where they shot this scene in Failure to Launch:
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