A hike up Conklin Gully to view the many waterfalls found there is difficult and very demanding. Slippery rocks, fallen trees, high cliffs, narrow ledges and several challenging climbs beside waterfalls will be encountered. It is recommended only for the well experienced hiker.

    The waterfalls found in Conklin Gully range in height from 5 feet to the 120 foot near vertical drop of Angel Falls. There are also numerous small rapids and cascades. I have been to the gully four times, always during a light drizzle and last time under the threat of severe thunderstorms. There are so many waterfalls in the gully that I lost count. The description below is of the waterfalls found from Route 245 to a point about 0.6 of a mile up the gully. It was done mostly from memory as my notebook was partly destroyed by drenching rains.

    From your parking spot follow a trail to the southeast a short distance and descend to the creek bed. Head upstream walking in the creek. Hopping from rock to rock, trying to keep your feet dry will usually result in a fall. Soon you will pass a long rock wall on your left studded with ferns.




    Continue creekwalking upstream for some spectacular views of the gully. As you proceed to hike up the stream you will come to several small rapids and cascades. They range in height from 1 to 3 feet.






    At roughly 0.3 of a mile from Route 245 you will arrive at Lower Conklin Falls (photo to the right). It has a height of 7 feet and a crest width of 30 feet. To continue your creekwalk climb up the northern side (left as you look upstream) of the falls.


    As you continue upstream you will again pass several small rapids and cascades that range in height from 1 to 3 feet. At roughly 0.5 of a mile the creek makes a sharp turn to the right (north). Just past the turn you'll come to a series of 2 small cascades followed by 3 distinct waterfalls. Climb up the first small cascade which is 4 feet in height. Just before the next cascade a tributary stream enters from the right (southeast). Follow it for a short distance and you'll arrive at the base of Angel Falls which is 120 feet in height. It is best seen in periods of very wet weather.



     Return to Conklin Creek, head upstream and climb up a second 4 foot high cascade. In a short distance you'll arrive at the base of a falls which I'll call Z Falls (photo to the left). It is 8 feet high, has a 15 foot wide crest and faces to the southwest.







    Climb your way up to the crest of Z Falls and you will be able to see Y Falls (photo to the right) which is 6 feet in height. It has a 19 foot wide crest and faces to the southwest.













    Climb your way up to the crest of Y Falls and you will be able to see X Falls (photo to the left) which is 23 feet in height. Like the 2 waterfalls you just climbed, it also faces to the southwest.















    Climb your way up to the crest of X Falls. As you look upstream the left side of the falls may be the easiest to climb. Just past the crest of X Falls the creek makes a sharp turn to the right (southeast). In a short distance you will be able to see W Falls (photo to the right) which is 25 feet in height and faces to the northwest.

    Many people stop here and return the way they came. The climb up W Falls is quite challenging in spots and recommended only for the well experienced creekwalker. If you do decide to climb W Falls you will encounter roughly 9 waterfalls upstream of it. They range in height from 5 to 20 feet. One is even more challenging to climb than W Falls.

Copyright © 2008 by Scott A. Ensminger.
This information may not be reproduced without written permission.

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    You can send me e-mail at:falzguy@verizon.net

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