Persuasive Falls
If you love waterfalls, this is the trail for you. In addition to three impressive falls, there are numerous smaller waterfalls along this trail, and many more cascading down off of the mountain for those willing to make the hike all the way up to Van Trump Park.
The trail begins at Christine Falls, which can be viewed from the main road. A short climb takes you to a sturdy footbridge where you can look down upon the falls crashing onto the rocks below and up to the whitewater of Van Trump Creek crashing through the rocky gorge.
The trail climbs steeply for over a mile up the canyon above the creek, which you won't always see as you climb higher, but will be able to hear.
You'll see a sign that says, “Comet Falls 200 Feet” and may find …show more content…
This is when the anticipation begins to build. If you hike another quarter of a mile, up some switchbacks, you'll get an up close and personal view of the falls.
A right turn at the junction takes you down to the base of the falls where the cool spray is a welcome relief on a hot day. When the sun is shining, a lovely rainbow appears in the mist at the bottom of the falls.
The junction to the left leads to a very steep set of switchbacks that will provide views of the upper plunges of the waterfall not visible from down below. Comet Falls is one of the tallest waterfalls in the park. It is officially listed by the National Park Service as being 320 feet tall, but some waterfall surveys list it as being as tall as 462 feet with the upper drop being 301 feet.
It's difficult to imagine a place any more stunning than this, but for those willing to climb the additional 1300 feet, the panorama that awaits at Van Trump Park defies description. You're already part way up, why not see what's up
The trail begins at Christine Falls, which can be viewed from the main road. A short climb takes you to a sturdy footbridge where you can look down upon the falls crashing onto the rocks below and up to the whitewater of Van Trump Creek crashing through the rocky gorge.
The trail climbs steeply for over a mile up the canyon above the creek, which you won't always see as you climb higher, but will be able to hear.
You'll see a sign that says, “Comet Falls 200 Feet” and may find …show more content…
This is when the anticipation begins to build. If you hike another quarter of a mile, up some switchbacks, you'll get an up close and personal view of the falls.
A right turn at the junction takes you down to the base of the falls where the cool spray is a welcome relief on a hot day. When the sun is shining, a lovely rainbow appears in the mist at the bottom of the falls.
The junction to the left leads to a very steep set of switchbacks that will provide views of the upper plunges of the waterfall not visible from down below. Comet Falls is one of the tallest waterfalls in the park. It is officially listed by the National Park Service as being 320 feet tall, but some waterfall surveys list it as being as tall as 462 feet with the upper drop being 301 feet.
It's difficult to imagine a place any more stunning than this, but for those willing to climb the additional 1300 feet, the panorama that awaits at Van Trump Park defies description. You're already part way up, why not see what's up