Though not really
'twins', this pair of waterfalls is well worth the 2¼-mile, very challenging
hike. One note of caution, - bring along a small hand towel. you have to cross
a creek at least twice. When the water is low you can hop across on rocks but
most folks wish to visit waterfalls when there is a lot of water. Hence,
expect to have to take off the shoes and socks. When you get to the other
side, use your towel to dry four feet before continuing the hike.
Kerry Kraus, travel
writer for the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism, has issued the
following directions:
From I-40, exit 81,
at Russellville, go north on Hwy-7 for 36 miles to Pelsor. Turn east on Hwy-16
at Sand Gap. Turn right (east) and drive approximately 10 miles to Forest
Service Rd. 1205*. Turn left (north) and go about 8 miles to the Richland
Creek Campground. Park at the lower campground. You'll see the trail head,
there. Head west on foot, immediately crossing Falling Water Creek. Continue
(this is the Richland Creek Trail) for about 2 miles to the confluence of
Devil's Fork Creek. Continue straight for ¼
mile. Twin Falls are ¼
mile up Devil's Fork; Richland Falls is another ¼
mile up Richland Creek.
*Editor's Note:
FSR-1205 is dirt and gravel, narrow, winding and steep. 4WD vehicles
strongly recommended!
Twin Falls is actually
two separate waterfalls on two different creeks, Long Devil's Fork and Big
Devil's Fork - just before their side-by-side confluence in the pool at the
bottom of the falls. The left falls, an abrupt 25 foot drop into the
beautiful, secluded pool, is lacy, almost fragile in appearance. The right
fall drops in a series of cascades before finally making a 15 foot plunge into
the same pool.
Richland
Falls
For desert there is
another water fall about 400 yards up Richland Creek. Very different from Twin
Falls, Richland Falls is close to 40 yards wide and only about a 6 to 8 foot
drop. But the sight and sound is very stirring.
For more information
about this and other waterfalls, phone the Arkansas Department of Parks and
Tourism at 1-800-NATURAL or write them at 1 Capitol Mall, Little Rock AR
72201. They also have a comprehensive web site at www.arkansas.com.
contributed
by Bruce Westerfield
Accommodations
are usually available, at discount,
in the following, nearby, communities: |
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