Turkey Foot

[cwhiker]

I have posted the Trail Journal and Photos from today's hike

[Joshua Szulecki]

The photos of Mize Mill Falls (sometimes called Turkey Foot Falls) are really nice, and I particularly like the steely/graphite-like quality the rocks have. You didn't get to see the other falls (Upper Turkey in my lingo, although stream flow irl is different than streamflow on a map) in any sort of glory, but it tends to be a little puny.

That canyon is a really nice, quick dayhike, isn't it? I've still got to get to doing a trail guide for it, because it is under-visited considering the ease of access. I wish NFS would designate an actual trail loop for it, and post a sign or something, because their official trail down the Sipsey to the pavillions is less interesting, imo.

They took out the lower parking area pay box sometime before our Turkey Foot hike in February, and it has been driving people nuts because they have to drive or walk back where they already were, next to the festering composting toilet (sorry, but it stinks), just to pay for something that they really shouldn't even have to pay for, but whatever...

[Joshua Szulecki]

See, the other falls does occasionally flow...
http://www.szulecki.com/i...lock/slides/IMG_7181.html

[cwhiker]

The photos of Mize Mill Falls (sometimes called Turkey Foot Falls) are really nice, and I particularly like the steely/graphite-like quality the rocks have. You didn't get to see the other falls (Upper Turkey in my lingo, although stream flow irl is different than streamflow on a map) in any sort of glory, but it tends to be a little puny.

That canyon is a really nice, quick dayhike, isn't it? I've still got to get to doing a trail guide for it, because it is under-visited considering the ease of access. I wish NFS would designate an actual trail loop for it, and post a sign or something, because their official trail down the Sipsey to the pavillions is less interesting, imo.

The steely color of the rocks make for a great B&W photos. I am planning on going back in the next few days to reshoot with the tri pod. I have noticed that there are at least two different names for most of the waterfalls in Sipsey depending on who you are talking to at the time.
The falls you are calling Upper Turkey. I was calling a side stream but the stream does make a Y there. Yes it is a nice quick day hike and agree it would be nice as an actual trail.

[Miner]

Nice shots! New member here. I hope to get up to Turkey Foot Falls next month after a good rain and shoot a few photos.
Does the trail begin at the parking area or can you park somewhere else?

[Joshua Szulecki]

Miner,

Welcome.

The trail starts where the lower parking lot (across the old bridge) meets the underside of the new bridge. Standing at the rocks below the bridge you can see the trail, most of the year at least, and heading down the rocks brings you to the trail. It is not an official trail, but it is pretty hard to lose. I'll try to put up a trail guide before you go (maybe tomorrow), to help you out at least a little.

[cwhiker]

Nice shots! New member here. I hope to get up to Turkey Foot Falls next month after a good rain and shoot a few photos.
Does the trail begin at the parking area or can you park somewhere else?

Welcome

[Joshua Szulecki]

Cwhiker,

Most of them don't go by any name, and almost none of them are official USGS names, so it doesn't really matter what we call them. The big debatables are the Turkey Foot Complex, and the Little Ugly Complex.

Technically, looking at the map, the falls I call Upper Turkey Foot Creek Falls is on Turkey Foot Creek. Technically, looking at the streamflow, the falls I call Mize Mill Falls is on Turkey Foot Creek. I've heard Mize Mill Falls used more than Turkey Foot for the one at the end of the canyon, and there once was a Mize Mill just above the falls, whose remains are apparently still visible, although I haven't been able to find them. Actually, the area above Mize Mill Falls is pretty cool, with deep flumes and interesting flow patterns, but it looks like a spot you could also get in trouble with the water, too.

My feelings on waterfall naming, as probably mentioned before, are as follows... I'll describe a waterfall under the following system:
- If there is a USGS name, I'll use it.
- If there isn't, I'll use an unofficial name used in the majority of publications or maps.
- If there isn't, I'll use a local name.
- If there isn't, I'll use the stream name, plus falls, or a local town name, plus falls, that will allow for easy identification without confusion.
- If the streamname is unknown, and there is no close town, I'll pick a name for the falls, based on a geographical, geological, or historical feature.
- If there isn't such a feature, I'll wing the name, or call it by the person who "discovered" it.

[Miner]

Thanks for the info Joshua. Thanks for the welcome.

[cwhiker]

Cwhiker,
Technically, looking at the map, the falls I call Upper Turkey Foot Creek Falls is on Turkey Foot Creek. Technically, looking at the streamflow, the falls I call Mize Mill Falls is on Turkey Foot Creek. I've heard Mize Mill Falls used more than Turkey Foot for the one at the end of the canyon, and there once was a Mize Mill just above the falls, whose remains are apparently still visible, although I haven't been able to find them. Actually, the area above Mize Mill Falls is pretty cool, with deep flumes and interesting flow patterns, but it looks like a spot you could also get in trouble with the water, too.

Looking at the map with my GSP track on it I have to agree with you on this point. Also while looking at the contour of the area on map I am guessing there are a few more falls above both Upper Turkey and Mize Mill . much like you if I don't know the name of the falls I will name it with the stream name. I was alone today so i didn't do much exploring but plan on it this weekend when I have someone with me to keep me out of trouble .

[Joshua Szulecki]

I really wanted to check out the area above Upper Turkey Foot Falls, but I couldn't find a decent way up there, and would need a decent streamflow to make it worth it, anyway. It is an area that needs further recorded exploration, much like the rest of the Caney Creek drainage area, and hude fringe sections of Sipsey/Bankhead. At some point I should put together a list.

[Joshua Szulecki]

Well, a review of my Cart-o-craft suggests that I was wrong. Technically, there is a larger drainage area coming into Turkey Foot Creek from the Mize Mill Falls branch, which drains a large section of land on the other side of Cranal Rd. I'm sticking with my terminology, but it IS "technically" wrong.

[cwhiker]

Well, a review of my Cart-o-craft suggests that I was wrong. Technically, there is a larger drainage area coming into Turkey Foot Creek from the Mize Mill Falls branch, which drains a large section of land on the other side of Cranal Rd. I'm sticking with my terminology, but it IS "technically" wrong.

see this is one of the problems I have with the Cart-o-Craft map is only the major steams are named and we are left to guess the rest.but its better than no map.Today was the first time I have even heard of  Mize Mill so either way I learned something. BTW I don't think I said thank you for  reading the journal and looking at the photos. I will be sure to get some exploring done this weekend.

[cwhiker]

Today's GPS track

[McDowra]

If you climb up on top of the falls, you can see some of the foundation from the old mill

[Joshua Szulecki]

If you climb up on top of the falls, you can see some of the foundation from the old mill

I can't do that. I'd be breaking my own #1 rule, no crossing or climbing directly above or on waterfalls. I established that rule after I climbed the top of a small waterfall in MD, about 15ft at the most, slipped, and was saved from a painful drop onto the pointy rocks below by a stickerbush.

But thanks for telling me where it was.

[McDowra]

If you climb up on top of the falls, you can see some of the foundation from the old mill

I can't do that. I'd be breaking my own #1 rule, no crossing or climbing directly above or on waterfalls. I established that rule after I climbed the top of a small waterfall in MD, about 15ft at the most, slipped, and was saved from a painful drop onto the pointy rocks below by a stickerbush.

But thanks for telling me where it was.

Yep I could have worded that better, you don't climb up the waterfall but take the trail to the top. The trail is actually the old road to the mill. Just look when you get to waterfall  on the main trail, you'll notice when the trail drops down to creek that there is a trail going up. Take that trail up and old site will be to the right as you walk down the road. You can still see the foundation stones, and the trough cut into the rock for the water wheel. At this point you are less than 100 yards from cranal road.

[Joshua Szulecki]

I've been within about 15 feet of that, and still missed it. I've walked on the old road, and been right there. Can't believe I missed it!