Little River Canyon National Preserve

Little River Canyon National Preserve

IrmaGerd! Spontaneous Alabama Road Trip!

Fort Payne, AL

10 September 2017

Introduction

Long story short - I fled Tallahassee, FL to Birmingham, AL with the kittycats to escape from Hurricane Irma. 

Joke on me - the storm did almost nothing to Tallahassee and the power didn't go out ever.

Joke on life - I got to get National Park passport stamps.

Main Post Here: IrmaGerd! Spontaneous Alabama Road Trip!

The Sunday morning of the weekend, I decided on a National Park agenda.

Stop 1 - Little River Canyon National Preserve [Right here!]

Stop 2 - Russell Cave National Monument

The Story

Little River Canyon Center

My first stop for Little River Canyon National Preserve was the visitor center. Since a theme of my trip is not preparing with research, I figured it was best to stop in before I did something stupid, like kayak down a deadly waterfall. The rangers answered my questions about kayaking ultimately by saying that there was not enough water but that it is extremely high whitewater classes if there was enough water. One of the rangers was kind enough to show me places upstream where I could put in at flatwater and then take out before I arrived at the falls. Most of which would be considered part of Desoto State Park. Since my mission was to get more Alabama National Parks cancellations today, I forewent the kayaking. I also wouldn't be able to shuttle on my own and would have to experiment with hitchhiking. Oddly enough, it wouldn't be the first time.

Buy 1 Get 1 Free Sunscreen [2017-09-10]
Little River Canyon National Preserve | Fort Payne, AL

I went into the gift shop for some suncreen. All they had were little bottles that were BOGO. Perfect actually. They won't weigh me down and can pass as a carry-on liquid with TSA. They even have the park's logo on them too, such a functional souvenir. It was a way smarter buy than the Junior Ranger vest. They have them in ADULT SIZES, which clearly means they were no doubt inviting me to join the program. The volunteer working the shop says grown men have the vests and get the free patches even though it's a "kids" program. Some of us are adult kids! I decided on not getting the vest because I have my passport to track my progress through the National Parks.

Scenic Drive

I began with the scenic drive with overlooks. I thought that was the thing to do. When I reached Little River Falls Overlook, I got to see the falls from far away - very beautiful! But I want to see them up close. Reluctant, I kept driving in the direction I began with.

Little River Falls Overlook [2017-09-10]
Little River Canyon National Preserve | Fort Payne, AL

Little River Falls Overlook [2017-09-10]
Little River Canyon National Preserve | Fort Payne, AL

My next stop was Lynn Overlook. This is where I concluded that I was getting farther from the main "tourist" area. I was thinking more as if this were Skyline Drive, but it turns out the main attraction was right across the highway from the visitor center. I turned around after checking this overlook. I'm sure everything along the drive was gorgeous, but I didn't have the time to complete the route.

    

Lynn Overlook [2017-09-10]
Little River Canyon National Preserve | Fort Payne, AL

Little River Falls

The main attraction - Little River Falls! Yes, right across from the Visitor Center. Lots of cars, it seemed everybody else knew exactly what they were doing. I never claim to be an expert at all this, just learning as I go!

Top of Little River Falls [2017-09-10]
Little River Canyon National Preserve | Fort Payne, AL

From the parking lot, there is a trail that leads to the top of the falls. I wandered around, and this was the closest I get before a ranger with a bull horn yelled at me that I was too close 😳. 

I went back up the trail and walked across the bridge of the highway. It was cool to see the pools of water and seeing how it all flows to the right side.

Top of Little River Falls [2017-09-10]
Little River Canyon National Preserve | Fort Payne, AL

Almost across the bridge, I took a picture from a different angle. There are more swirls over the rocks on this side. The water is incredibly low, which leaves my imagination to envision how much of the rocks would be covered at a high flow.

Top of Little River Falls [2017-09-10] 
Little River Canyon National Preserve | Fort Payne, AL

Once across the bridge, I could see the Visitor Center entrance. Go me!

There is a boardwalk on this North end of the highway bridge that takes you underneath the bridge. I thought the stones of the bridge's structure were adorable!

Under the Bridge [2017-09-10]
Little River Canyon National Preserve | Fort Payne, AL

The boardwalk led to an actual trail. I hadn't thought to bring my park guide with me to see what it was all about. I walked a few steps before turning around, where I crossed the bridge and took the main paved/boardwalk trail down to see the falls close-up.

The Main Overlook of Little River Falls [2017-09-10]
Little River Canyon National Preserve | Fort Payne, AL

My first thought was: Is it always just on one side? The ranger earlier told me the water was low, but this looks very low. I wonder what the rocks above the falls look like when the water is at a full flow. I bet we wouldn't be able to walk around as much? Anyway, there was a photo on the information sign that shows the falls span across the entire cliff.

Waterfall does stretch longer where there is more water [2017-09-10]
Little River Canyon National Preserve | Fort Payne, AL