Went to Great Falls with some friends. The weather was perfect and the hike was nice, and the water was absolutely crazy. Because of all the recent rain the water was at full flood stage, most of the hiking on the Virginia side was closed due to flooding, and both of the hikes to the falls overlooks were closed when we first got there. Luckily they opened they trail to the main overlook while we were there, So we go to go check it out. You hike on these boardwalks and over several bridges that cross these gorges over portions of the falls, the water was gushing and roaring like mad right under us. Then we got to the main falls overlook on this island out in the river. The main channel of the river is a good several hundred yards across at that point, and I think something like a 70 foot drop over several 10-20 foot steps over and around a whole bunch of bus size boulders and chasms and rocky islets. The water was at least 30-40 feet higher than when we went in the fall a few years ago, and most of the boulders and islets where completely covered....it was crazy. Absolutely awesome how powerfully the water was blasting through there.
One of the narrower chasms that you cross on a bridge:
A heron crossing the lower portion of the main section of the falls.
Across the river you can see several climbing routes, but the little bank you stand on to belay and the bottom third of the routes are completely covered.
Looking up from the overlook at the main section of the falls (May 2011):
A picture of the same section of the falls from a similar angle, September 2009:
Sam, that is crazy how much water there is. i remember the last photo from when we were there and i thought that was a lot of water, amazing.
ReplyDeletethat is a ton of water! I think either you or kristin had tried to explain it to me over the phone, but I couldn't imagine it. This is awesome!!
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