September 18, 2019 | The Clarion
Arts & Life
Page 7
Check out Dupont State Forest's
Triple Falls and Hooker Falls!
By Lande Simpson
staff Writer
If you are looking for a fairly easy hike to a
waterfall, there are two great options. The first
is Triple Falls in DuPont State Forest and the
second is Hooker Falls, also in DuPont. You
can hike both waterfalls in one day because
they are both short and the trails lead into
each other.
Triple Falls is great because it is a distinct
path (if that is what you are in to) and has a
pretty steep incline up a mountain to get the
jaw dropping view of all three waterfalls.
At the beginning of the hike, you walk along
the base of the river and there are usually
people swimming in it if you come during
the summer. Then you walk up a steep part
of the mountain that gets you to an outlook
that gives you the perfect photo opportunity
for your Instagram or Snapchat story.
The one surprising thing that I will keep in
mind for next time, is that the trail is fairly
busy during the weekends with families and
little kids, bikers, runners, couples, dogs, you
name it. So, I would recommend going on a
weekday when the trail is fairly quiet so you
do not have to worry about being in the way
of others and you can take in the beautiful
forest and amazing waterfalls.
Hooker Falls is an extremely easy hike. It
has a wide open path, there really is not any
climbing or incline that you have to worry
about and there is access to a swimming hole.
At the beginning you also walk along the
base of the river and pass people and dogs
swimming and maybe even a few people
fishing for trout, then there is a wooden
outlook that is looking over the top of the
waterfall and people swimming in the water
hole at the bottom of the fall.
Dupont’s Triple Falls in Its autumn glory (now just a few weeks away).
Swimming here with friends when you are looking for a
place to cool down would be a great idea, but swimming
anywhere close to the waterfall or getting behind it is
extremely dangerous and there have been several deaths due
to it at Hooker Falls. So, if you do decide to swim there to
cool off, please be smart.
As far as hiking and waterfalls go. Triple Falls and Hooker
Falls are the places to go.
For easiest aeeess to these falls, the Hooker Falls Parking
Area in Dupont is your best bet. From there, you can also
hike a short distance farther to High Falls, which can also
be reached from the Buck Forest Parking Area.
Visit www.dupontforest.com/ for more info, including
downloadable trail maps and driving directions.
Left: Hooker Falls is a popular place for swimmers
to cool off on a hot day.
Below: Dupont Forest’s extensive trail system Is
clearly marked with signs. Note that Dupont’s roads
are open only to motorized vehicles with a special
permit for those with physical impairments.
Photo by John B. Padgett