RATtreks

Abrams, Garrett Cr., and Cabin Cr. Falls (All Virginia) – 9-16-2011

I was unable to go on my annual week long birthday hike in September of this year, but I did go with my friends Dave and Lou to a place I had been wanting to go for a long time. Having recently heard on the news that access would soon be closed to Abrams Falls in Virginia, I wanted to go while it was still possible. Of course we did not know it at the time but it had already been enacted and there were some No Trespassing signs but we thought they were for the property being developed adjacent to the creek and not actually for the trail to the falls as they were not right on the trail and not specific. (That`s my story and I`m sticking to it !) I later found out that the land has a new owner and is all private property and no one is allowed access and violators will be charged with criminal trespass and the Washington County Sheriff’s Department does patrol the area regularly to enforce it so, I would not advise going to these falls. We could see that the land was being developed and a road was freshly cut across the creek and up the hill on the other side most likely to what will be a new house or something in the future. We assumed the signs were intended for that part of the property so we headed down the creek towards the falls ! We got lucky on this Friday and there was no one there and apparently the cops did not come by at the right time as we got in and out without incident but I am told this is a risky venture that charges are now being placed to those caught trespassing here.

Abrams Falls (Southwest Virginia)

This is sad because these waterfalls are so exquisite and it is a shame that they can not be shared with other people who appreciate their beauty and would respect them and also would have the ability to get to them without falling to their death. This is probably one reason for the closure and most likely the main reason as at least one person gets killed there each year, not to mention countless injuries and they are tired of helicoptering them out not to mention the liability factor. In light of this I can understand the property owners point of view and one has to respect their wishes. I always try to get permission in cases like this but it is not always possible. I did notice some trash and beer cans in the vicinity of the falls which is another reason why people tend to not want the public accessing places such as this. It seems there is always those few that want to ruin it for the others who do not act like this in the woods. I can see how someone could fall off the rim of these falls and one would surely be dead if this happened but I did hear of one lady who recently fell and actually survived and is now doing fine. I had no trouble standing at the top (being very careful of course) but, Dave and Lou would not even go near it ! There is a sweet set of cascades just before the water plunges over the edge not to mention great views of the surrounding gorge and the creek below.

Abrams Falls (Southwest Virginia)

The trail to the falls is somewhat treacherous and as it gets closer to the falls gains more and more height, all being on a very narrow and eroded side-hill trail with nothing but roots and loose rocks to try and hold on to all the while negotiating over downed trees and very rough terrain. I would not recommend this for anyone who is not a seasoned hiker or has a fear of heights or if it was the least bit wet I would say avoid it. One slip anywhere here and you would plummet to serious injury or death below. There is a much easier trail that traverses the top of the ridge and that is definitely the way to go. I saw it going in and ended up coming back that way. If I ever get the pleasure of going back to these falls I will definitely take that trail instead. I am also researching a way to come in by accessing the gorge below by way of Phillips Road but I do not know if that is possible yet and it would also mean a much longer hike through some potentially rough territory but I am guessing there is some form of path up the bottom of the gorge beside the creek. It is also private property and will require permission but I will one day check that out.

Abrams Falls (Southwest Virginia)

It is only about a half mile to the actual falls but like I said, it is tricky and slow going on the last half of it. The first part simply follows the left side of the creek which is very flat and wide at this point but then drops off to one of the most beautiful set of cascades I have seen in a long time. Despite dry conditions there was plenty of water flowing this day to make for some good photos. It was partly cloudy with a chance of rain so that also helped. At these cascades is where the trail to the high ridge connects. I would come out at that intersection on the return trip. Dave and I climbed down the rocks to access the creek level and get some decent pics of the cascades on our way back.

Abrams Falls (Southwest Virginia)

Continuing on from there is where the trail became very dangerous. I had no trouble but, I am very experienced at going places like this with no trail so I was just happy there was actually some form of trail to follow ! After negotiating a couple of really rough spots, we came out at the top of the falls. I was impressed with the height and the view of the bowl-like rocky gorge from that vantage point. I hung out on top while Dave and Lou slowly and very carefully made their way down the super steep slope to reach the bottom of the falls. I did notice before I went down that the gorge makes a huge curve here and we were standing right on the point of the ridge. Looking around the corner (or the curve) you can see the rocky gorge continues and gets much steeper. This is where the safer and much higher trail is.  I also noticed a trail leading down the cliff edge further down into the gorge which leads me to believe it is accessible from that direction which would avoid the private property, but of course, there is more private property on the other end ! After studying this for a moment I then scrambled down the embankment to join Dave and Lou at the bottom of the falls. The view from there was breathtaking and would have been well worth any criminal trespassing charges !

Abrams Falls (Southwest Virginia)

The sun was shining brighter than we wanted it to but using a polarizing filter I held up in front of my camera I managed to get a few decent shots. I am sure Dave’s super-camera did way better than mine. Maybe one day soon I will be able to afford one and learn how to use it. We spent at least an hour here taking photos from various angles before it started looking like it might rain and knowing a wet trail would be way more dangerous, we decided to head out.  It was still early in the day and there were some other waterfalls in the area we wanted to check out while we were there. I opted to take the high ridge trail out which is how I found that it is a much better trail and I came out right at the awesome cascades. I did check out the gorge from the backside standing atop the highest cliff there (one I was looking up at from ‘around the curved ridge point’ earlier). The view was good and the creek looked tiny from up there. After spending a few moments there I followed this new trail further up and then it went down off the ridge to the cascades where I came out long before Dave and Lou got there. We took the time to photograph these beautiful cascades before going on to the car.

Cascades above Abrams Falls (Southwest Virginia)

Cascades above Abrams Falls (Southwest Virginia)

Cascades above Abrams Falls (Southwest Va)

Cascades above Abrams Falls (Southwest Va)

Dave at the Cascades above Abrams Falls (Southwest Va)

Cascades above Abrams Falls (southwest Va)

We were very lucky to get back to the car and get out of there before anyone caught us. We then drove to the nearby Garrett Falls just a few miles back up the road from there. These are a nice set of falls located right beside the road but you do have to climb down a steep bank to get to the bottom of them.

Garrett Falls (Southwest Virginia)

Garrett Falls (Southwest Virginia)

Garrett Falls (Southwest Virginia)

After spending some time there we drove back to 19 which we crossed over to the other side and drove a few miles to the other falls on our list called Cabin Creek Falls. These had no where near as much water on them and are much harder to access despite also being right beside the road. They would be much better during higher water flow or in late Fall and Winter. I hope to come back here then for better pics.

Cabin Creek Falls (Southwest Virginia)

Cabin Creek Falls (Southwest Virginia)

I was worn out by the time I climbed back up the steep hill to the road and was getting very hungry. We headed back towards Bristol stopping at the Cracker Barrel for some home cooking before heading home. It was another very successful trip and awesome day spent with friends in the woods.

Cool purple thing

Another cool purple thing

For more photo`s of these and many other waterfalls, please visit our photo gallery.