After our experience with the Dogwood Trail (last post), we knew we needed to do something "outdoorsy" to feel satisfied on this outing. So we decided to go on the War Eagle Trail. We had actually been on this trail a LONG time ago, though I don't remember hiking the whole thing.
I don't remember if I mentioned how to get to
Withrow Springs from
Springdale. Take 412 toward Harrison. Once you near Huntsville, take the exit for Highway 23. You will want to go to the left of 412, though you have to take a right to loop to the left. Just head on down 23 until you see the signs on the left for
Withrow Springs.
Actually this trail is before you actually get to the
Withrow Springs sign. You will pass a farm on the right, then see a creek. Take a left into the parking lot and park. When you get out, you will be looking at War Eagle Creek. You will want to take a left by the creek and head under the road.
Then you will see the actual trail sign...
You do climb a bit at first but it isn't overly strenuous. I don't remember being winded or more so than usual. :) There are several beautiful bluff/rock formations to the left, the creek below to the right.
Here is a small "cave". All caves are closed in state parks right now due to some bat disease (for them, not for people). So we just peeked in without going in.
A little further down is the big cave. Last time we went we could go in. Not this time.
You then have another area to climb, but it was moderate. The creek is still to the right.
There were a couple narrow areas, though thankfully for much of it, there were safety cables to the right so we didn't tumble into the water below. If you have kids, make sure that you hold onto their hands.
We decided to go off trail (which we rarely do) to check out the creek. Hunter was itching to fish. We took this elaborate off trail route only to find there was a very direct path to visit the creek if we had waited a couple more minutes. Oh well. The view was beautiful. You can't really tell but the water is very green. It was very calm, just gently flowing. And the "bluffs" were amazing. It was a very serene spot; we spent quite a bit of time here skipping rocks and exploring.
We even saw some
canoers/
kayakers. I think I would like to try that!
We had a close encounter while sitting by the creek. We had been there for a while without seeing any wildlife when suddenly this little face popped up. It totally surprised us. Yes, it is a snake. Maybe a moccasin. I didn't get close enough to find out. We couldn't see its body, just its head, so that made the whole thing stranger. It stared at us, opened its mouth once to show off its little teeth, then disappeared back in the rocks. The same rocks the kids had been running around on, splashing in the water. Ugh!
When you continue on the trail, you continue to climb, offering some amazing lookouts of the creek and the farmland in the area. I never felt like it was overly dangerous. We just didn't let the kids venture out too much on the cliffs.
Yes, third snake (second on this trail) for the day. A little brown one that looked like a big worm.
Here is a note from an experienced hiker (for this trail). When you see this sign (next to a wooden bench), turn around and go back the way you came. Then I think it is an easy 1 mile hike. We didn't know this. We went to the left because it looked like the trail went that way. We ended up coming out on Highway 23, still a distance from our car. Walking by the side of a curvy road with children was NOT fun. The trail going back (and downhill) would have been MUCH more scenic.
This was a wonderful hike and totally redeemed the park after the Dogwood Trail. (There is still one more trail I think we haven't tried) It SHOULD be a one mile hike. I would consider it moderate due to the inclines. And while I wouldn't consider it dangerous, there are definitely some points you need to hold on to your children. The view though was worth it. And if you have some time, I would encourage you to take some time to hang out by the creek. Just watch for creatures that might be lurking there. There are no bathrooms on this trail but there are some in the park.
Happy hiking!
Reba
I was kind of excited when I saw this sign. I have been kind of secretly hoping to see a bear. Not close, close, but close enough to get a picture without making it mad. Two different friends I have saw bears last year on hikes. I was not one of them...
Finally we came out to our first overlook. I think sometimes there is a waterfall in this area. However, we had a really dry fall so there was nothing but leaves falling...
The rock formations were just beautiful. Some of the cliffs had rails, others didn't. After seeing the trail though, I would take the kids. There are a few "scary" areas but I never felt like I was in total danger unless I put myself there.
The colors were amazing.
It took a little walking to find "Pedestal Rocks". Once we saw them though, the name made perfect sense.
Apparently, per the website for the trail, the pedestal rocks were formed by weathering. No matter how they were formed, they were just amazing.
There was an area where you could get down by the bases of the rocks which is probably what we would do if we took the kids that way. Much less of a height to fall. :) Plus, they love playing around rocks.
I really wish we had had more time to explore. And I would love to hike the Kings Bluff trail at some point. Hopefully we will be back!
