Dismals Canyon Day Hike (Franklin County, Alabama)

 

Though I've stopped at a number of points of interest on my way, I've finally arrived at my primary destination for the weekend. Dismals Canyon is a National Natural Landmark that is privately owned and operated as a tourist destination. This sandstone gorge offers a hike through a very interesting landscape and is home to bioluminescent creatures known as Dismalites, which I will be returning tonight to see.

After paying the steep entry fee, I'm directed to the start of the self-guided tour and begin my walk along the fashioned path. It starts above Rainbow Falls and lead down crude steps to the canyon floor and along Dismals Creek. This entire canyon seems to be a collision of gigantic sandstone boulders tumbling from the walls and the creek pass through and shaping them over the eons.

It's been raining today and with the lush green foliage, the dark shadows and passages created by the boulders, and just the overall atmosphere, it's a little creepy walking through this area, but also incredibly interesting. My path continues through some areas named by the ownership to make them more interesting. Hand rails have been fashioned in some areas from fallen timber. Some areas require a little bit of rock scrambling to maneuver about and all the while the eerie grayish brown waters of the creek run right on by.

The trail map suggests a couple of creek crossings, but recent storms have washed away the stepping stones and as I'm not willing to submerge my feet in mud today, I cut my tour a little short and return part of the way I came. Just past another waterfall from a feeder creek, I walk across a wooden bridge to the far side and enter the Witches Cavern, which is a maze of the giant boulders I mentioned earlier. As I understand it, this area is home to the largest colony of Dismalites and I suspect I will be returning here later this evening.

The final stretch sees me walking across a small suspension bridge to return to where I started. This area is really interesting, though I'm a little disappointed in the upkeep of the trails given the entry fee. Ah well, I'm still grateful to have gotten a chance to visit.