Bell Smith Springs April 14-16
Apr 27, 2022 17:40:03 GMT -8
GaliWalker, Coolkat, and 3 more like this
Post by driftwoody on Apr 27, 2022 17:40:03 GMT -8
I had a few days off before Easter and a good weather window so I drove 365 miles south to Bell Smith Springs in Southern Illinois. It's been more than a decade since I last visited, and this time I decided to seek some off trail highlights with info from Hiking with Shawn. It rained hard the day before I left, so I knew the water would be flowing.
The obligatory first stop is nearby Burden Falls.
Upper falls:
Lower (much taller) falls:
I like to make a loop out of this short hike, taking the regular trail down into the canyon, then climbing out to the left of the main falls to get the side view above.
Drove the short distance to Bell Smith Springs and headed towards the White Trail, passing the iconic feature (below) on the way.
Devils Backbone (two vertebrae of a mostly submerged giant creature:
Hiked past the official end of the White Trail and followed the bluff line in search of Eagle Falls. The forest is mature enough so that off trail hiking is not impeded by thick undergrowth.
Typical bluffage along the way (see the water poring over the bluff on the right):
Eagle Falls, more easily reached by walking past it from below and coming around from the other side:
Camped both nights at Redbud Campground, with large sites and tall pines perfect for hanging my Warbonnet Blackbird XLC:
Day two hiked the longer Sentinel Bluff Trail and beyond, but first to off trail destination "Stone Shelter Falls" which is along the bluff line past the end of the yellow Trail. The falls (smaller than Eagle Falls) is just past a deep low roofed rock house with a built up fire ring. Lots of nice bluffage along the way:
The falls:
This day's hike also featured the Bell Smith Springs Natural Bridge, largest in Illinois with a 120' span:
Also an iron rung shortcut straight up the bluff, not necessary and not for the faint of heart:
The Sentinel Bluff Trail was a worthwhile hike along the top of the bluffs on either side of Bay Creek with frequent views across. The turnaround point to the other side involves crossing the creek. In fact all the hikes I did at bell Smith involved water crossings above boot height, though in drier seasons you might stay dry. Though the weather forecast had no more than 2% chance of rain at any time, on the 2nd night after I was ensconced in my hammock under the tarp the skies erupted with a thunderstorm and heavy rains. It definitely added water to my last hike on the Mill Branch Trail before heading home. After the nice but unspectacular Sentry Bluff Trail I wasn't expecting too much, but Mill Branch turned out to be wonderfully scenic with cascades rushing through exposed rock narrow gorges:
Pics along Mill Branch:
Side tributary adding to the flow:
I was likin' the moss and lichen along the exposed rock:
Well, I think you get the idea. Bell Smith Springs is an elixir I recommend.
The obligatory first stop is nearby Burden Falls.
Upper falls:
Lower (much taller) falls:
I like to make a loop out of this short hike, taking the regular trail down into the canyon, then climbing out to the left of the main falls to get the side view above.
Drove the short distance to Bell Smith Springs and headed towards the White Trail, passing the iconic feature (below) on the way.
Devils Backbone (two vertebrae of a mostly submerged giant creature:
Hiked past the official end of the White Trail and followed the bluff line in search of Eagle Falls. The forest is mature enough so that off trail hiking is not impeded by thick undergrowth.
Typical bluffage along the way (see the water poring over the bluff on the right):
Eagle Falls, more easily reached by walking past it from below and coming around from the other side:
Camped both nights at Redbud Campground, with large sites and tall pines perfect for hanging my Warbonnet Blackbird XLC:
Day two hiked the longer Sentinel Bluff Trail and beyond, but first to off trail destination "Stone Shelter Falls" which is along the bluff line past the end of the yellow Trail. The falls (smaller than Eagle Falls) is just past a deep low roofed rock house with a built up fire ring. Lots of nice bluffage along the way:
The falls:
This day's hike also featured the Bell Smith Springs Natural Bridge, largest in Illinois with a 120' span:
Also an iron rung shortcut straight up the bluff, not necessary and not for the faint of heart:
The Sentinel Bluff Trail was a worthwhile hike along the top of the bluffs on either side of Bay Creek with frequent views across. The turnaround point to the other side involves crossing the creek. In fact all the hikes I did at bell Smith involved water crossings above boot height, though in drier seasons you might stay dry. Though the weather forecast had no more than 2% chance of rain at any time, on the 2nd night after I was ensconced in my hammock under the tarp the skies erupted with a thunderstorm and heavy rains. It definitely added water to my last hike on the Mill Branch Trail before heading home. After the nice but unspectacular Sentry Bluff Trail I wasn't expecting too much, but Mill Branch turned out to be wonderfully scenic with cascades rushing through exposed rock narrow gorges:
Pics along Mill Branch:
Side tributary adding to the flow:
I was likin' the moss and lichen along the exposed rock:
Well, I think you get the idea. Bell Smith Springs is an elixir I recommend.
