Ferne Clyffe State Park - Goreville, IL
April 5, 2014
Today I took my very first hike! My family decided on driving up into the Shawnee National Forest for our first hike. I really wanted to see a waterfall, so my parents decided on Ferne Clyffe State Park. It was a great first hike!
We decided on the 0.75 mile Waterfall Trail. The map we got said that the trail was moderately hard. The trip to the waterfall was all downhill, so it wasn't so bad! I got really tired on the way back up though!
After a few minutes on the trail, we stopped at this small creek to rest and take some pictures. Its hard to see in the pictures, but it was almost a mini waterfall!
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| Playing in the creek! |
Further down the trail you reach the bluffs. There were some neat things to see. We spent some time walking around and looking at all the huge rocks that have broken off from the bluffs.
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| Between a rock and a hard place. |
A lot of the rocks were covered in a fuzzy green carpet. My mom taught me that it is moss.
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| So soft! |
At the bottom of the cliffs we found a much larger creek. Walking towards the falls, we spotted a cave that had been carved by water. We took some time to explore and climb!
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| Kings of the mountain! |
After a few more minutes, we finally reached our destination. It was my first time seeing a waterfall! It was so cool! There was a small pond in front of the falls, and to reach the falls you had to cross a bridge made of logs.
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| My brother crossing the log "bridge." |
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| My brother didn't hesitate to be the first to the falls. |
We spent a long time at the falls. We climbed the rocks as much as we could, threw stones into the pond, and had a snack. Eventually we climbed up the side of the falls so we could get in the cavern behind the falls. I was scared! It was slippery and hard to do, but I made it.
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| I made it! |
After a few more minutes, we hiked back the way we came back up the Waterfall Trail. It was a lot harder going up than down. When we got back to the car, I was so tired! It was a great first hike though, and my first waterfall experience!
For more information, visit http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/Landmgt/parks/r5/FERNE.HTM
Notes to parents: We will do our best to let parents know about the hikes we do with our kids, with the hopes to give parents a better idea of what to expect if you hike these locations with young children. At the time of the hike, our children were 5 and 7 years old.
As Logan said, the hike down was pretty easy, but there were many slick spots on bare rocks that you need to be careful on. At the bottom of the trail, the trail combines with a paved walking trail (Big Rocky Hollow Trail). That particular trail was very popular that day and the "easy" way to get to the falls. Once at the falls, there is a slippery log "bridge" to get close to the falls. Just take your time and you should be fine. We climbed the rocks on the left side of the falls to access the upper section of the waterfall. This was very difficult and slippery, so if you decide to do this, be VERY careful with your children. The hike back was uphill, but we considered it moderate in difficulty.
Also be aware that this is a wet season waterfall. The falls as seen were in April. We came back to the site in June and there was barely a trickle of water in the falls.
***EDIT: On our most recent trip in 2016 the log "bridge" is gone. To access the area behind the falls, there is a trail about 0.1 miles before you reach the falls that climbs the hill and takes you along the cliff to the falls.***
