Lower Bankhead Falls Hike

[DavidR]

I'm going to take a dayhike tomorrow of the lower BH falls. I hope to visit Eagle Falls, Deerskull Falls, Wolfpen Falls, & Feather Hawk Falls. Below is my preliminary route. Any other must sees in this area?

Lower Bankhead Falls Hike

[Joshua Szulecki]

Your route is somewhat ambitious for a dayhike in that area. It took us 8 or 9 hours to do Eagle Creek and Little Ugly during the "wet season", and this hike down here passes through a LOT of muddy and deadfall-riddled areas. In dry weather it takes much less. Wolfpen is pretty bad with deadfall, and Eagle Creek to the junction of Little Ugly is pretty muddy after rain.

My first recommendation would be to ditch 5 to 8, at a minimum, since most of the interior forest areas are boring anyway. I know people have done an in through Wolfpen and and out through Eagle (1 through 3, back up the eagle creek side stream to where you started) in one day, so that can certainly be done. You could even add Feather Hawk by following the Sipsey, but I would return the way I came, not head out through the open forest. Every time I've made that mistake I've wasted more time than I gained, because the understory is so much thicker than in the dry creekbeds.

Below is the route I would recommend for seeing all these falls in one day, if all were absolutely required.


And another warning... The area between Eagle Creek and Cranal Road is much steeper than the map suggests. Those drainages are really up and down (esp between 8 and 9) and riddled with closely-spaced small trees, so try to stay in the creekbeds, so don't make any shortcuts in that direction. Ask me how I know. There is a pretty clear and (unfortunately) flagged route out of the Eagle Creek area to Cranal Road if you follow the first creek on the left upstream of Eagle Creek Falls a ways. There are descriptions here on Alatrails of both of the good routes in and out from Eagle Creek Falls.

[DavidR]

Thanks Josh. I've never been in that area before. I don't know why, but I just hate backtracking. That is really the only reason for the loop through the woods. The only plus was being able to see what was on lower Eagle Creek. I'll see how time permits and may well opt for Wolfpen in to Featherhawk, then back out Eagle Creek.

[Joshua Szulecki]

I used hate backtracking too (I've now learned it is a great way to notice wildflowers), but this is one of those areas where sticking to the streams is really not a bad idea. The other option would be 202, but that is one LONG walk back down Cranal, and the traffic is fast.

Got a pool float?

[Joshua Szulecki]

I'll see how time permits and may well opt for Wolfpen in to Featherhawk, then back out Eagle Creek.

The best option would probably be Eagle Creek park and in, then Featherhawk, then back up Wolfpen, only because if you get tired or run out of daylight, you can ditch Wolfpen. The waterfalls on Eagle and Little Ugly are really the best of the bunch.

[McDowra]

My question would be what is it you are trying to do?  With as much as there is to see, Eagle Falls, Deer Skulls and Upper Ugly Creek Falls is a full day  for me and the Bride.  You don't have Upper Ugly on your route  so you might want to add it.

[DavidR]

I mainly want to see all the falls and water features I can in this area. Where is Upper Falls on my map?

[McDowra]

Lower Bankhead Falls Hike

The bottom one is eagle falls, there is a nice fall by #3 and to the east of it. The two to the west of #2 are deer Skulls and Upper Ugly.  There are several that I didn't mark, if you look you will find. Be sure and take pictures  and post them please. 

[DavidR]

Thanks everyone. I guess I was updating my map while you were marking falls McDowra. I used our Bankhead DB to plot the falls I have marked. Yeah, I had missed Upper Ugly. Wolfpen is somewhere between mile 7 & 8. Thanks for all the help. Here's my updated route:

Lower Bankhead Falls Hike

[Pully]

I agree with Josh. Bushwhacking through the woods in that area is not fun. Between 5 and 7 on your previous route is dreadful. I experienced it with Toph after climbing up Upper Ugly Creek Falls and bushwhacking to Randolph TH. Your updated route will make a much more enjoyable hike. Also agree with McDowra. Upper Ugly Falls is nice. There's also a waterfall near #4 on your new route. It's tall and only runs well after a good rain.

[Joshua Szulecki]

Thanks everyone. I guess I was updating my map while you were marking falls McDowra. I used our Bankhead DB to plot the falls I have marked. Yeah, I had missed Upper Ugly. Wolfpen is somewhere between mile 7 & 8. Thanks for all the help. Here's my updated route:

Lower Bankhead Falls Hike

That is a more reasonable route, and I hope you managed the whole thing. I know it rained, so I hope you got to see all the waterfalls on Eagle Creek, there are actually several nice seasonal ones including two which are of decent height. I'm also glad you revised your route to head back to the Sipsey when going to Featherhawk, because that bluff at 3 which you were originally depicted as crossing was a doozy!

Share your trip when you get back!