Hemlock Cliffs Nature Preserve

Stubbornness (Hemlock Cliffs VII)

About 9 months ago I went looking for the Arrowhead Arch near Hemlock Cliffs, and I thought it’s time to see how this place looks like in the autumn.

The stubborn spiders are out and about, and the stubborn leaves cling to the trees.

But, of course, what is really stubborn are the rocks of the Messmore cliffs.

This time I was stubborn enough to explore them all the way.

I like the complex and noisy landscape.

And there is the surprisingly harmonious contrast between the cold rock and the warm autumn colors.

Contrasts like these seem to need each other.

In places like this, sometimes, something magical can happen, pure serendipity.

Found (Hemlock Cliffs V)

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Finally, after the silly April 1st post from yesterday, here it is, the elusive Arrowhead Arch.

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It took me two attempts to find it. The reason is that some web pages have the wrong GPS coordinates, and it is also marked incorrectly on some maps.

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The arch features a special rock where people have decided to follow their irresistible urge. At least it’s pretty much limited to this rock.

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Even if you know where the arch is, it is still hard to find. On my first attempt, I gave up and turned around literally standing on top of it.

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Still, the erring around on the cliff tops pointed me to some other wondrous places. More about them next time.

Did I mention the incredible rock formations?

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Lost (Hemlock Cliffs IV)

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So how does one find these walls?

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The recipe is simple: Get up early, in a night where the moon is full, and start walking.

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Get behind a waterfall, close your eyes, turn around yourself three times, and go straight on.

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When you hit a wall, you are there.

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But be careful not to fall.

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Walls (Hemlock Cliffs III)

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Hidden deep in the backcountry near Hemlock Cliffs is a collection of ancient murals.

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They are still a work in progress…

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Both the complexity of the designs and their diversity are surprising, given that they are all only a few steps away from each other.

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Few people ever come here.

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What is the purpose of this? Is everything meant to be seen? Is the question meaningless?

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Maybe all this is just here to give us confidence that there is enough to see, for all of us, if we dare to find it.

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Paths (Hemlock Cliffs II)

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The backcountry near Hemlock cliffs is ruthless.

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There are no established trails you can trust. Follow stream, deer trails, old logging roads if you wish, you can only be certain that they will not take you where you want to go.

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Most of them end anyway, at a rock face or a clearing leaving you pathless.

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It’s of course very easy to get lost here. GPS, compass, topo map are a must.

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Still, this is not all aimless. We’ll find our way.

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Fog (Hemlock Cliffs I)

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The next few posts will be from several recent visits to the Hemlock Cliffs Nature Preserve and nearby areas.

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The main trail is a short loop that descends steeply into a canyon, featuring a splendid waterfall.

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Early spring and early morning are the perfect times for this landscape, when the emerging colors are tamed by light fog.

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Beech trees seem to radiate and like to be framed properly.

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Wise old trees look curiously at the lonesome hiker.

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