Chapter Three - Beautiful Allen Falls

We'd been to Allen Falls, the dogs and I, and it was time to return to the trail head. That's Allen Falls just to the right of the hill in this photo. Madeline was the first to begin climbing:

And then the other dogs followed. As for me, I was dreading getting started as it was a lot steeper than it looks here and I was, after all, an old codger with injured ankle tendons:

Here, maybe this will help show how steep it was. Nearly at the top, I stopped to snap a photo of the dogs. They'd been on top for a long time but kept coming back to see what was taking me so long:

Once we were on level ground again (well sort of level), we began following the trail back through the forest:

Madeline smiled for the camera:

  And everybody sniffed everything:

The trail took us back along the cliffs above the St. Regis River:

Clover and Daphne, as usual, had a propensity for walking right to the edge. But they were easily dissuaded with just a word from me:

Clover struck a pose for a glamor shot. It might come in handy the next time a movie producer is looking for a sexy starlet:

And then we crossed back over the little tributary. Madeline had figured out by then that she could cross the rocks and didn't need to swim again:


All the dogs crossed on the rocks except for Seamus, who loves the water:

Fergus, however, slipped and got wet. I almost slipped, but kept a hold on the rocks and logs as I crossed. I'm no young whippersnapper any more. At this point our car was just ahead and we were in it and seated comfortably in short order. But a quick look at the map gave me another idea. I'll post about that tomorrow:

Chapter Two - Beautiful Allen Falls

The dogs and I were hiking along the west branch of the St. Regis River on our way to Allen Falls and had been going uphill, leaving the banks of the river farther and farther below us. But the forest was lovely and the dogs were having a grand time. Fergus climbed up onto a log to watch us walk by:

And then he ran back down the hill to get the other dogs to join him, which they did with great excitement. Eventually, I did also:

The river at this point was all rapids and I was, I confess, a little nervous about the dogs getting too close to the edge of the cliff. But they were happy and having lots of fun:

Madeline sat down by a tree with the St. Regis River behind her. I thought it would be a perfect spot for a photo:

Seamus posed for a nice picture also, but his silly tongue spoiled any solemnity, revealing him to be the big, happy goof that he is:


And adventurous little Clover was our scout, leading the way. Do you see that sharp drop off just ahead? That's where the trail led us and it was a very steep descent which I made mostly by sliding down on my butt, grasping at tree roots:

The hill (or should I call it a cliff) was steep and treacherous, so I put my camera in my pocket in order to use both hands. About half way down I got it out again so I could show you what it looked like. For perspective, notice Madeline, Fergus and Clover on the mostly dry creek bed below:

 
When we'd reached the bottom of the deep ravine, the dogs ran up the little, icy creek bed instead of toward the main river. That was just fine with me because it allowed me time to carefully get my old body down the hill before they got near the falls and the rapids:

Once I was down to the river level, I called the dogs over and they were most happy to do so:

Ever the water lover, Seamus went right in. Daphne followed him for a few feet but ran back out again when she realized how cold it was:

There were still patches of ice everywhere, dark places where the sun had not yet reached:

But the main event was right there next to us - Allen Falls - and it was magnificent. A very large, roaring waterfall, it too had a few patches of ice on some exposed rocks. So then it was time to climb back up that hill/cliff and return to the car. But I'll post about that tomorrow:

Chapter One - Beautiful Allen Falls

You may recall a recent post about Allen Falls Road. A commenter from the local area told me about Allen Falls, which was nearby on the west branch of the St. Regis River. Well, we'd arrived at the farm rather early and the weather was beautiful, so I took the five younger dogs there to explore:

The trail head was difficult to find, but once found, was pleasant, easy walking in a beautiful forest:

The dogs sniffed and played and ran:

We arrived at a small tributary and I stopped, wondering how on earth we'd get across it. You can see the trail continuing on the opposite side:

I hopped across the water on big rocks and all the dogs did likewise - except Madeline . She fretted about what to do, and never did figure it out. Eventually she just dove in and swam across:

I was afraid that Madeline would be too cold after that, but her fur apparently shed the water and her spirits were higher than ever. She ran joyously down the trail. I think she likes going for hikes!:

All the dogs ran full speed down the trail. I, of course, went much more slowly, so they'd then run full speed back to me, get petted and then run full speed back down the trail. They sure do get their exercise:

The St. Regis River was wild and lovely:

And the forest was magnificent:

We arrived at an icy chute leading straight down into the rapids and the silly dogs went running down it. I was alarmed and called them back loudly, not wanting anyone falling into the rapids just above the waterfall:

The trail began to lift up above the river as we gained elevation. Madeline and Daphne explored the edges (of course). You can see an island in this photo, with river on both sides:

Clover climbed up onto an old log as we continued to gain elevation. I could hear the roar of the falls just ahead but couldn't yet see them. I'll post more about that tomorrow: