Noccalula Falls Full Edit w/ POV from Isaac Levinson on Vimeo.

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A  $125,000 grant from the Land and Water Conservation Fund will soon give Cherokee Rock Village Park a new face lift.  The grant will improve camping spaces,  restrooms, parking, sidewalks as well as the road improvements to the park. Cherokee Rock village has been a favorite for climbers since the 70′s and is one of Alabama’s most beautiful places.

The rock village sits high on lookout mountains in  northeast Alabama near the town of Sand Rock. During peak season expect many climbers and campers enjoying breath-taking morning views over Weiss Lake.  Large bolders and rock walls run along the village  and the perfect place to spend a Sunday afternoon.

Fore more info: http://www.gadsdentimes.com/article/20110816/NEWS/110819846/0/OPINION

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The area  has been used for years as a  meeting place for local groups and a play place for others. At 35 feet high the falls  can be an extreme jump for those who dare.   When the water is high the falls can span nearly 300 foot across. High Falls  is a beautiful place to explore but can be very dangerous.  Many have been hurt and some killed from accidents at the falls. During winter ice can be an issue around the falls and often the rocks can be slick. Never under estimate the power of the flowing water. Never play in a fast moving current  they can sweep you over.

During the fall is a great time to visit with wonderful  tree colors and easy flowing water. Most days you can expect few people , it tends to pick up on weekends.  Visiting the park is free and there is usually an attendant on duty. A rustic playground  with picnic tables and a pavilions are a great place for a picnic.

Co. Rd. 394 &149, off Ala. Hwy. 227 (between Grove Oak & Geraldine)
Geraldine, AL

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Nestled among the Park is an old log cabin village that will take you back in time. You experience life much like pioneers did over 100 years ago! You will discover an old smoke house, a gristmill, old country store, and other old log cabin building.

Noccalula Falls Park offers adventures for hikers (C.P. Huntington Trail), photographers, picnicker, huge playground, carpet golf, museum, botanical gardens, an old train, war memorial and duck feeing area. The park also has a new chapel and plenty of meeting areas as well as pavilions for group events.

Black Creek Gorge is a favorite for hikers that want to get dirty! The view from the gorge up to the falls is an impressive site as the white water falls fast into a large dark hole with huge boulders around. Be careful hiking in the gorge as rock are super slippery around the falls.

It is rumored that a cave winds for miles through the mountain and comes out somewhere behind the falls.

The legend of Noccalula falls goes like this.

Many years ago a young Cherokee Indian princess leaped from the falls. Her father wanted her to marry a Creek Indian chief but she was in love with a young warrior from her own tribe.

Reluctantly plans were for here to marry this chief but it was too much for her to take. On the day of the

Wedding as guest ate and celebrated the young Indian princess slipped off and vanished.

The young Cherokee Indian princess wondered away from the reception and found the falls and leaped near the where the statue is placed today. It is said that her body was found among he large rocks below.

The legend is thought to be true and Indian art depicting the event was found near the area.

During the Christmas season the park host Christmas on the park that draws huge numbers. Imagine walking through a Christmas light scene that will blow your mind. You must check out the park and venture through the Christmas light display!

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Bucks Pocket State Park Fall 08   located in northeast Alabama! Vulcan Aftertunes fall 2008 Birmingham, Alabama Little River Falls, Northeast Alabama

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The year was 1540 and Hernando Desoto and his Army of Spanish Conquistadors were on their way down the ChattoogaRiver heading toward Cedar Bluff, Alabama. On June 4^th, 1540 they arrived and camped for almost a month on an island. It was soon named McCoy’s island, ‘Chiaha” was the name given by Desoto’s historians.

As they arrived they found the beauty of the two rivers and the Coosa valley to be very pleasing. They decided to rest at McCoy’s Island to heal the men and horses. It was also very abundant in food and the perfect camp after a long hard journey through the Appalachian Mountains. A journey that was very difficult and a challenge for even the most experienced warrior!

There were rumors of gold to be found in the north and west hills of Lookout Mountain. So Desoto decides to send a small army of men led by lieutenant Vilabo and Silva. They departed on June 1570 and passed between Menlo, Georgia and Blanche, Alabama toward Desoto Falls near Mentone, Alabama! They decided to camp for a few days at the

104 foot waterfalls. It is located on the west fork of little river on Lookout Mountain.

For several days the troops searched the area for gold and other treasures and then proceeded to pass through Big Wills to Henagar Alabama. Here they found south Sauty Creek and followed it all the way to Buck’s Pocket State Park. It is said that the men were blown away by the view from point rock and did not find gold but found iron Oxide high in the cliffs around Buck’s Pocket! There is no historical evidence that says they went any further than Buck’s pocket or ever saw the Tennessee River!

From this point the party headed back toward McCoy’s Island and passed through the town of Sand Rock, Alabama. The men returned to Chiaha (McCoy’s Island) near Hokes Bluff. They arrived to discover that Desoto and the main party had set trail June 28, 1540 down the Coosa River. Desoto had left a few wounded men behind to wait for the Sand mountain crew to return. They departed to catch up with Desoto and arrived on June 18, 1540 only two days behind Desoto’s arrival on July 16, 1540. They camped at the mouth of the Talladega creek in Talladega County.

Many people say that Desoto discovered the falls but there is evidence that the area was used by Indians and even the Welsh! Located near 325 feet above little river are three caves that are interconnected by openings between the caverns. They are protected by the cliff and only a narrow trail leads the way to the Welsh caves. It is rumored that only a few men could fight off an army of troops. The trail was so narrow that only one man could pass at a time.

It is believed that the Welsh traveled to the New World over 300 years before Columbus and made 3 trips. They sailed into Mobile Bay and traveled to Lookout Mountain. The Indians of the time did not possess the skill of excavation and it is believed that the Welsh came and built the caves high above little river. There were also six skeletons found wearing brass armor with the Welsh coat of arms.

Desoto falls is an awesome waterfalls and seeing it in person is inspiring and beautiful. To see the foliage in the fall is breath taken and colors are super vibrant. I could not imagine what it would have looked like 500 years ago. The area is still very preserved and has an abundant supply of wildlife.

In the 1920’s Arthur Abernathy Miller and self taught electrical engineer built a twenty-foot high damn above the falls. Author built the damn to supply power to his hydroelectric generator on the west side of the gorge. There is still a square concrete slab where the generator one was. It supplied power for fort Payne, Collinsville, Mentone, valley head, Alabama
> and Menlo Georgia.. If it wasn’t for Miller’s genius many people in the area would have been without power.

Desoto State Park is one of Alabama most beautiful areas and has many things to do year around. They have cabins, chalets, swimming, picnic area, hiking trails, and many special events. You can’t forget all the waterfalls in the area either: Indian falls, Azalea falls, laurel, lost falls, Lodge Falls, and of course Desoto Falls! You could spend a week in Desoto state park just looking at waterfalls and hiking. Little river falls and many other falls around Little River Canyon are just a short drive away!

There are a few great trails, Wildflower trail that is perfect for you flower lovers. It is only 0.49 and begins and ends at the lodge! Looking for a longer hike you can take Laurel Creek Loop and is a total of 2.9 miles long. This is the perfect trail for you waterfall lovers and passes by laurel falls, lost Falls and azalea cascade. When it is dry you may not find Lost falls so be prepared! It also starts and ends at the same place making it a great trail for you hikers.

They have an awesome camping area with 58 water and electric sites and two comfort stations with restrooms with hot showers. You will want to make reservations, first come first serve. They also have 20 primitive camping spots and offer a group rate and a single person is $5.35 as of 2008. It is $3 per person with the group rate! You can also use the bathrooms and showers!

Need food, you have the Desoto State Park Mountain Inn cooking all the home classics.

There are also places in Mentone like Cragsmere Manna Restaurant and Dessie’s Country Chef, just like mom used to make!

While you are in the area you must check out Little River Canyon National Preserve with great 700 foot cliffs and waterfalls along Lookout Mountain. Little River is a rock climbers paradise and also has white water for you water ducks out there. Come

to Alabama and see the beauty of the mountain and lose yourself into nature. If you come in the winter time be sure to check out Cloudmont Ski and Golf. They start blowing Alabama snow as soon as it gets 28 degrees and the area gets an annual snowfall of 12 inches! Who would have ever thought it, Alabama snow!

Thanks for reading about Desoto Falls on Lookout Mountain. Come see Alabama and understand why they call it “Alabama the Beautiful!”

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