High Falls: Outdoor Adventure on & around Sand Mountain

For those who do not know me, I am Ben Alford, a native of Albertville and Sand Mountain. Since my return to Sand Mountain in 2014 after fifty years away, I have spent most of my free time hiking the trails and paddling the creeks on and around our mountain home. I am convinced that we live in one of the most beautiful places in the world. My purpose with this column is to share this beauty with you. More importantly, it is to encourage you to get out and see it firsthand. You, your children, your children’s children and anyone else you can convince to go with you.

I want to begin this journey through the year with a place many of you already know, and whether you know the place or not, inspire you to go and enjoy. That place is High Falls Park in Dekalb County on Town Creek, not far from Geraldine, almost in the center of Sand Mountain.

High Falls has been a gathering place on Sand Mountain for almost two centuries, and in the 1800’s the town of High Falls near what is now Grove Oak, was a prosperous industrial community, with stores, a grist mill, cotton gin, blacksmith shop and a shoe factory. A covered bridge at High Falls offered the fastest route into the towns and markets of Marshall County. Over time this bridge became a victim of the weather and eventually burned down. In 1998 it was replaced with a pedestrian bridge that gives wonderful views of Town Creek.

High Falls Park today is still a gathering place for people: young and old, families and friends and even those who just want some time alone in nature to enjoy its beauty. The Falls are 35 feet high and 300 feet across. Above the falls you can wade and splash, picnic and visit or simply contemplate the beauty. The adventurous souls can jump off the 35-foot falls and then climb back up the rope waiting for you. You can climb down below the falls to swim if you choose.

Today there is a three-quarter mile trail around and through the park to hike or stroll and get out of the sun for a while. A newly installed Kayak/Canoe ramp for those who want to paddle the 4.5-mile class 2 section of Town Creek beginning at Alabama Highway 227 bridge above the falls. There is also a five-mile section above highway 227 that begins at the bridge on county road 843 east of Lakeview and Alabama highway 75. The upper section can be done separately, taking out at Highway 227 or combined with the lower section, taking off the creek and paddling the total 9.5 miles of Sand Mountain beauty. Be sure and check water levels and always follow someone who has been on the creek before. Any level less than 200 cubic feet per second at the gage on highway 75 is too low to paddle.

There is an app for your Smartphone called “RiverApp” which can tell you the water level at the creeks and rivers you designate.

Personal note: I always follow a more skilled friend down these two sections of river. Always wear your life jacket.

The Class 4 and 5 section below High Falls is for highly trained and skilled white-water paddlers.Do not do this unless you are trained and tested at this level.

For a day of fun and adventure or peace I beauty, I recommend High Falls and Town Creek.

High Falls Park, DeKalb County
969 Co Rd 144, Grove Oak, AL 35975
Open 10 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.