“Dry” Clifty Falls State Park, Indiana

September 23, 2009 by Bill Riley.

OK, it’s mid-September and I’m looking for more nature preserves and State Parks to photograph.  Despite the lack of recent rain fall, I decided to spend a day at Clifty Falls State Park near Madison, Indiana.  I’ve always wanted to hike the main gorge to see the falls from below.

The park is known for its rather high water falls and somewhat strenuous hiking trails.  The main falls are at the end of a relatively deep box canyon with extremely steep sides.  At the falls end, there is no way to easily descend into the canyon without the aid of climbing equipment.  A long time ago, there was a stairway that visitors could walk down but over the years it fell into disrepair and apparently, the park department decided that replacement was not a high priority.  If you’re willing to hike the canyon bottom, there are a couple of access points about a mile downstream from the falls consisting of steep switchback trails and a few well placed wood steps. 

It’s not all that difficult of a hike unless you’re carrying a lot of camera equipment – I tend to carry a lot of camera equipment. 

Since there hadn’t been a lot of rain fall, I didn’t expect too much in the way of water flow, but I did want to scout the canyon out to see if there was much to shoot.  So, I loaded up my DSLR and headed for Madison.

I was pleasantly surprised to find that even during dry times, there are several reflecting pools along the canyon floor providing a wealth of micro environments that easily make it worth trudging my large format cameras down, and more importantly, out of the canyon.  Rocks, ferns and mosses complement a forest of towering poplars, oaks and sycamores.  There also seemed to be a good variety of small fungus growing around and in the twisted tree trunks near the stream bed.  (Note to self – take tripod and flash next time)

I snapped a few photos for my notes along the hike to the main falls.  The trails are clearly marked but due to the dry conditions we opted to mainly follow the dry creek bed.  If there is any amount of water flow, a good pair of water proof hiking boots would be in order.

The falls were anti-climatic since there was virtually no water flow from above.  In fact, I’m not sure I would have gotten all that excited about the falls even if there had been more water.  I think the best vantage for a photo of the falls is from above or possibly somewhere out in the middle of the canyon.  Next time, I’ll explore some of the side canyons for other possibilities.

Tree Fungus

I’m thinking that later this fall I’ll return hoping to find more water and perhaps a colorful blanket of leaves on the canyon floor.  I might even take my 4×5 along and make a day of it.

Bill Riley

One of many reflecting pools

Ferns and Moss

The light playing off the ferns offer many opportunities.

Interesting root systems as trees weather the ages of time.

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