Officially then, the Age of
      Discovery is over. Or is it?

      
At any rate, join me in a visit
      to a beauty spot overlooked by recorded history. A creek canyon
      seldom visited since the passing of hardy prospectors who left
      few stones unturned in the Little North Fork Country.

      
The phenomenon of Family Falls
      occurs in the short distance of approximately one half mile.
      The seven drops are immediately upstream of Henline Falls which
      is easily located. The upper un-trailed creek canyon is difficult
      to traverse but the climb is no more than a strenuous workout
      for healthy hikers.

      
The first falls, JERRY FALLS,
      is the highest at 79 feet. (Our measurements were exacted by
      lowering a rope over each elevation.) It is not a sheer drop
      but splashes over a convex cliff. Passage to the base of the
      cliff is difficult due to jumbled logs and debris below the plunging
      waters.

      
The second, MARK FALLS, tumbles
      29 feet over tiny terraces into a deep, clear pool about 120
      feet upstream from the first.

      
Number three, DAN FALLS, spreads
      out in a bridal veil cascade of 58 feet. A cleft to the right
      forms a tiny drop that converges in a key- shaped pool at the
      base. A very picturesque scene. About 150 feet above number two.

      
RON FALLS is fourth in line
      about 100feet above Dan Falls. A double drop of 37 feet, it sets
      in a bowl-like setting with caves on both sides of the surrounding
      cliffs. The trail here is through a hole in the cliff my children
      call Maynard's Cave.

      
The fifth, DAVE FALLS, is over
      40 feet in height,

      
plunging into a hidden chasm
      at its base. It gushes down a cleft most of the fall. It is close
      above number four falls.

      
Between five and six the creek
      slides over a smooth 15 feet rock slope akin to a children's
      slide. We called this chute DEANNA'S SLIDE. it is just above
      a sharp bend in the stream a short distance from number five.

      
Number six is JACKIE FALLS,
      an angled chasm that drops in a half-hidden fall of 23 feet.
      Hiking here is restricted by dense brush. This falls occurs over
      300 yards above number five.

      
STEVE FALLS is the final waterfall
      in Henline Creek. It is about 20 feet directly above number six.
      The water plunges in a free fall about one-half of the total
      55 feet. The creek bed levels off above this seventh waterfall
      and tapers out into a logging show in the utmost headwaters.

      
Visiting Family Falls can be
      accomplished by merely following Henline Creek up its course
      above the box canyon of Henline Falls. It is not necessary to
      return via the same rugged route however. The old Ogle Mountain
      Trail follows the eastern rim of the creek canyon and may*e found
      by working up the eastern side of Henline Gorge. At one time
      this trail was the only access to Ogle Mountain Mine but logging
      and new roads have virtually caused its abandonment. Travelers
      returning down this trail will understand why the tiny falls
      deep within the tree-covered gorge remained unnoticed all these
      years.

      
If your active family is looking
      for a cool, secluded world to explore and enjoy on a hot summer
      day, Family Falls and Henline Falls are yours to relish.

      
 Third
      Falls - Dan Falls
 
 
Last Page - About Maynard Drawson
Copyright 1973 Maynard C. Drawson
Reformated and reprinted on the web in 2003 with permission from Maynard Drawson