Andrew’s Waterfall

 

Now officially known as Lost Canyon, but before the development in the area this was always known to my friends and I as Andrew’s Waterfall. I have been hiking this magical trail since I was 12 all the way up to about 7 or so years ago.

Last Sunday I returned to my personally spiritual waterfall and experienced a wide range of emotions from my original spiritual moments, to downright outrage and sadness.

In my early years of life this was my oasis. My spiritual connection to nature. When everything in the world seemed wrong, and life was at its worst (during the angsty teenage years anyway) this is where I went to meditate. to find my zen. To reconnect with nature. Every single time I came back rejuvenated, and with a renewed sense of peace. This was my waterfall.

I remember slowly watching with increasing concern, as the area just below was developed into a high class ritzy neighborhood with huge homes. I knew things were going to change. It started slowly enough. After the homes were built, a man made rock dam was built below my falls. This was ultimately removed due to man or nature I know not. Then a fence was installed with a gate. I remember specifically a few times showing up to hike my falls only to discover it was closed for the season.

Today’s adventure proved to be my hardest challenge. After meeting up with Monica we went to the last know place of parking to discover signs banning the activity. Apparently the people with the overtly expensive homes were not happy people were parking on the street by their homes. Seriously? If you don’t want random peeps parking by your home, don’t build one in front of a beautiful natural area. Sigh. Luckily they have built a parking area below the neighborhood.

So after a short trek through the neighborhood we arrived at the gate for the trailhead.

The hike up is definitely harder than I remember as I child. For oh a half mile or so it is UP. They have installed some make shift stairs to help control the erosion the encroachment caused, but they are still steep.

It does offer some great view of Dimple Dell Canyon though.

  After this the trail gets easier offering simple ups and downs in the lovely forested area next to the stream.

 

The first little cave.

  And the 2nd. I honestly do not recall this being walled off, but I could be wrong.

  The remains of the rock dam.

  And the first glimpse of the falls.

   The falls.

Keep in mind this is during low flow. It can be rather impressive during spring runoff.

Judging by Landis next the the falls I would say this is probably between 15 and 20 feet to the lower ledge, then another 8 feet to the bottom. I used to scramble up and climb all over this thing. Today I could barely bring myself to the ledge just below where Landis is before feeling like I would cliff myself. (it is really wet and slick so climbing would not be recommended)

View of the pool in the lower ledge. (that was as high as I could muster.)

  I love it here.

This now broken tree used to hang out over the stream. I remember that it seemed like the tree had shaped itself to perfectly fit my body and I would lay across it while watching the falls.

The above picture is looking away from the falls. If you hang a right after the tree you can scramble up a pretty steep slope to get above the falls, which offers an amazing view of the valley. (I didn’t attempt this trip, and am unsure if I can still even do it.) If you continue further up it continues to Bells Canyon Reservoir. I haven't done it since I was way young, but if my memory serves me right its steep for another quarter to half mile then levels out. I don’t think this is the best route to get to the reservoir but you can.

We continued back down the trail and out to the car. My biggest complaint was the graffiti I saw in the area, this was new. It’s bad enough that people tag man made buildings, but it really is heart breaking to see it on beautiful natural areas. I would not be surprised if it was the children living in the ritzy development below. Then of course there was the loss of my tree. And finally the crowds. I used to hike up all the time without seeing anybody else, and this Sunday we saw multiple people. Sigh, the word is out.

So all the emotions aside, this trail still achieves a perfect 10. For several reasons. It is the perfect “I need some nature but don’t have much time hike.” you can make it up and back within an hour. It’s also a good one for beginners, and offers an amazing final prize. Well worth doing.

10 Squirrels out of 10.