Thanks. I should have been more specific.
I am a little familiar with Hurricane Creek Area but not with Mill Creek or this waterfall. My search of the Waterfall Bible (AR Waterfalls) the internet and my Topo Maps does not yield this area. Can you describe further or by chance have coordinates?
Well, here's my chance to start bragging a little. I think the reason that it's not in the waterfall bible is that it may be to a large extent a heretofore unknown waterfall. At least I've never seen nor heard mention of it anywhere, which is not to say that if you were on speaking terms with the right old-timer or outdoorsman you wouldn't have heard of it. Maybe Tim Ernst has heard of it, since he's explored a lot of the Ozarks and also has many contacts.
Anyway, it's a little surprising that the creek isn't labeled on your topo map, but if you can find Greasy Creek and look at the very end of it, and then jump due north over Hurricane Knob, you would end up in Mill Creek.
But no, I don't own a GPS and therefore don't have coordinates.
Posted by Randy Wilson on May 14, 2008 at 11:37 AM
I've been asked to provide specific directions to the falls; so here they are to anyone who's interested. The road designations are those used in google maps.
From the Newton County community of Deer, turn onto Parker Ridge Road (NF-30) and follow it for a couple of miles or so (I don't have the precise distance) and then turn left onto NF-61, which runs along a ridge top for a couple of miles. This ridge has Mill Creek gorge on its south (on the right as you travel east) and Hurricane Creek gorge to its north.
When NF-61 goes down the hill and comes to a ford across Hurricane Creek, pull over and park, and then walk south across the grown-up meadow until you reach Mill Creek (about a quarter mile or so), and then head upstream. The falls are maybe a little less than two miles upstream. There is no trail and the banks are mostly overgrown with brush and saplings. I wouldn't expect to make the hike without crossing the creek from time to time to get to easier terrain.
The creek is a very scenic one and there are many things to photograph along the way, but if you don't stop, it might take an hour and a half or so to reach the falls. At least that's how long it took me to walk back at the end of the day. I'm an old fart, though, and you might be able to make better time.
If you're in a big hurry, you might want to park along the road on top of the ridge somewhere and drop straight down to the creek. I haven't done this and don't know where along the road to park, what the best way down might be, or what kinds of perils or obstacles there might be along the way. It will be steep and arduous, though, because there's a 450 foot elevation change in about half a mile.
By the way, there were many wild azaleas and umbrella magnolias blooming when I was there, but the magnolias especially were past prime. It might be a place to keep in mind for next year, though.
Congratulations on your discovery, and thank you so much for sharing directions. Nice photo, Randy. That green water looks inviting. Could you tell how deep it was?
Thanks, John. I couldn't tell for sure how deep it is, but it gave the impression of being pretty deep from how quickly the bottom fell away, so that rather than slogging around in the water looking for the best angles, I had to pretty much confine myself to the shore.
Discussion
9 repliesBeautiful area, where is this falls located?
I am a little familiar with Hurricane Creek Area but not with Mill Creek or this waterfall. My search of the Waterfall Bible (AR Waterfalls) the internet and my Topo Maps does not yield this area. Can you describe further or by chance have coordinates?
Anyway, it's a little surprising that the creek isn't labeled on your topo map, but if you can find Greasy Creek and look at the very end of it, and then jump due north over Hurricane Knob, you would end up in Mill Creek.
But no, I don't own a GPS and therefore don't have coordinates.
From the Newton County community of Deer, turn onto Parker Ridge Road (NF-30) and follow it for a couple of miles or so (I don't have the precise distance) and then turn left onto NF-61, which runs along a ridge top for a couple of miles. This ridge has Mill Creek gorge on its south (on the right as you travel east) and Hurricane Creek gorge to its north.
When NF-61 goes down the hill and comes to a ford across Hurricane Creek, pull over and park, and then walk south across the grown-up meadow until you reach Mill Creek (about a quarter mile or so), and then head upstream. The falls are maybe a little less than two miles upstream. There is no trail and the banks are mostly overgrown with brush and saplings. I wouldn't expect to make the hike without crossing the creek from time to time to get to easier terrain.
The creek is a very scenic one and there are many things to photograph along the way, but if you don't stop, it might take an hour and a half or so to reach the falls. At least that's how long it took me to walk back at the end of the day. I'm an old fart, though, and you might be able to make better time.
If you're in a big hurry, you might want to park along the road on top of the ridge somewhere and drop straight down to the creek. I haven't done this and don't know where along the road to park, what the best way down might be, or what kinds of perils or obstacles there might be along the way. It will be steep and arduous, though, because there's a 450 foot elevation change in about half a mile.
Are you thinking about going for a swim?