19 miles of hiking • 4500' elevation gain •
It really wasn't looking like a view-day, so we chose the darkest, deepest, nearby rainforest instead. Turned out to be a fine choice, too! Started fairly early, first cars at Horsetail Falls, and the miles to Triple Falls ticked off very quickly. The trail is in excellent shape, in particular the repairs to the landslide of a couple years ago.
We (I won't identify anyone specifically) found out, the hard way, that "someone really oughta" put in a barrier of some sort at the viewpoint for Triple Falls, to prevent dropped items from rolling right off the cliff down towards the roiling waters. Oh well, if you find a camera case down in Oneonta Gorge, give a holler! ;-)
Heading on past Triple Falls, we were all just a little bit anxious regarding the washout below the second footbridge. Two of us had been the original "discoverers" of that last November, when it simply wasn't passable at all. This time, we were delighted to find that someone had cut off the roots which would've blocked passage, and the footpath was easily navigated through the chasm. Climbing out was a little sloppy, but not as bad as sliding back down on the way out. As it is now, anyone ought to be able to make it through, especially if they're not alone.
Took the bypass on the east side of Oneonta Creek, between the second footbridge and the MHNF sanctioned ford 500' above. A better example of USFS malfeasance could not be imagined than this! Why they route people through a raging stream, when a bridge is that close, is simply mind-boggling.
Heading up the Horsetail Ridge trail was a good workout, mostly unmarred by obstacles. Had to duck under a couple limbo-logs, and hop a couple little streams, but this trail was in fairly good shape as well.
Finally, the payoff! I think the 3.3 miles along Bell Creek trail are some of my most favored of all in the Gorge. Just magnificent. You will, it should be noted, come to believe the trail's name is due to water running along it! But in time you do actually cross Bell Creek proper, so it's just a "happy coincidence." While portions of this forest were logged over a century ago, other portions retain their ancient character, and are simply mind-blowing.
Reaching the junction with Oneonta trail again, it seemed a good opportunity to pause and have a little lunch, before we continued on to Franklin Ridge and began our final descent down into the canyon again. Such a beautiful trail, in all regards... It'd been way too long since traveling through here.
Damn near dark, we donned headlamps well above Triple Falls on the way down. And traveled under artificial light most of the last 4+ miles. Just an awesome day, with wonderful friends; one I'd happy to relive anytime. :-)
