Updated: Desoto State Park – Lost Falls and Laurel Falls
by JP on Jan.14, 2010, under Alabama Hiking Trails
Fort Payne, Alabama
Distance: Approximately 5.0 miles.
Difficult: Easy
While I missed out on the opportunity to ski in our wonderful wintry weather, I did get to see enjoy the weather with a nice hike.
DeSoto Park does not list the distance for all of its hikes, and so all I can do is estimate the distance I normally hike in a certain period of time. The reason for this is that a large number of the trails in DeSoto State Park are interconnected together, and allow for numerous paths with varying distance.
On this hike, I got the opportunity to accidentally see two waterfalls instead of one. Be aware, that if you use the DeSoto state park map, the trails are marked with letters, matching the colors of the blazes, rather than trail names. These trails can have multiple colors listed while only one blaze may actually be present on the trail. This means the trails intersect at that point. Also, be aware that creeks and rivers look exactly the same as trails on the map. Finally, not only is the map not to scale, the distances aren’t really even relatively similar.
When hiking to the Lost Falls, the quickest path to the falls is the Blue/Orange trail, marked by Orange blazes initially. This trail begins above one of DeSoto’s campgrounds, and across the road from the trail parking area.
The hike begins in a slow downhill wooded area containing lots of pines. As one continues, the trail becomes much rockier, and then begins to continue parallel to a creek on the left. This creek will be crossed several times over the course of the trail.
As the trail continues over the solid rock terrain, the Orange and Blue trails separate. This junction is marked by Blue arrows point straight ahead, and Orange one’s heading left. Continue straight to reach the Lost Falls in about 3/4 of a mile. The Orange trail can also be followed to Lost Falls from the other side. Both are about the same distance.
I would recommend following the Orange trail for the shortest trip to both Lost Falls and Laurel Falls, and the return on that same route after seeing both falls.
Unfortunately, I made the mistake of assuming the map I was reading had relatively correct distances, and that I could cross back over to the Orange Trail at Lost Falls. So for a longer loop, although very peaceful and isolated, continue along the Blue Trail to a wide creek crossing that turns uphill. This crossing has a narrow wooden plank over it, that I assume someone thought could be crossed. DO NOT USE THIS PLANK. Just past this narrow plank is a series of stepping stones to cross the creek. If they are dry, use these to cross. The plank is too narrow, and one risks falling into the creek, and ruining a good hike.
From here the trails starts to feel like its in deeper woods. The hike now begins to up and down several ridges, continuing somewhat parallel with the creek.
After the creek crossing, look for the blue blazes to split again, or for signs of a trail to the left. This trail goes down to the side of the Lost Falls. This view of the falls isn’t really the best place to see the falls from, as it is obstructed by several limbs, and doesn’t really get close to the falls. The other side is much better. These falls, however, cannot be crossed above, at least not in the winter, and don’t seem to be safe to cross in the summer, as the trail map somewhat indicates.
Instead, continue back to the blue trail, and head left if one wants to make it a loop hike, otherwise return on the original route.
Continuing left, the trail moves away from the creek, as a deep ravine separates the trail from the creek. The trail moves up and down the ridge, and into some very large boulder areas. In the winter, these boulders have some great icicles hanging from them. After a mile or so, the trail will reach a bridge that crosses over the creek back to the Orange trail. The bridge itself is marked with red blazes, follow the blazes up to the left to get back on the Orange trail, and stick to the left.
This portion of the trail has several options, but staying to the left will bring hikers to Laurel Falls. Along this side of the ridge, the trail becomes rocky again, passing around and through several large boulders.
Laurel Falls is smaller than Lost Falls, but its approach brings hikers much closer to its falls. On the right side of the approach is a series of rocks framed by several small trees, and, in cold weather, contains several extremely long icicles patterns. The falls drop into a small isolated cove. Be careful climbing down to these falls, the approach can be a little slick as well.
Continue back up to the Orange trail and continue to the left. This trail will return to the other side of Lost Falls, and then back up to the Orange/Blue intersection.
The orange trail goes back to the trailhead parking area.
Other Nearby Trails:
Directions:
1. Take AL-35 South into Fort Payne, AL.
2. Turn left onto Gault Avenue.
3. Turn right onto AL-35. Follow this road up the mountain, and follow the signs to the state park.
4. Turn left onto County Road 89 to the state park.
5. At the country store turn left towards the campground. The trailhead parking area is just past the campground on the right. Cross the road from the parking area for the trailhead.
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