Thunder Canyon Falls

We hiked to Thunder Canyon Falls at Cecil Cove near Erbie on Tuesday.Weather was perfect for this time of year. The water was up from the recent rains so we thought the falls would really be running. The first crossing of Cecil Creek was definitely a wet one, knee deep at best. The 2nd crossing was mostly dry, but lots of water coming from the resurgence area. We headed downstream to the Thunder Canyon drainage and the first thing I noticed was that there is a trail now. It's probably been 6 years or so since I was up there and there wasn't a trail then. The water was up and the whole hillside was leaking water as we worked our way up towards the falls. If you haven't been to this area before, you should know this is the slickest rock you'll ever see. Lot's of slipping & sliding as you go. As the walls close in and you see a big overhang, you can hear the falls roaring. I had forgotten what a beautiful site this is. The roar of the falls, the breeze, the spray, you feel like you are in a lost paradise. This hike can be difficult during high water so be prepared. The rewards are worth it!

Sounds great! Any pics?

I tried to include them, but couldn't get them to load. I posted them on Facebook. Search for Thunder Canyon Falls and you should find it

I will check them out. By the way you have to have your pics stored at another site and then you can put them here. I use webshots. Some use photobucket, etc. Lots of folks that would be glad to help you out.

It's a beautiful spot...I have only been there once,about 3 springs ago...and,I must say,of the very many falls I've been to in the land of Oz....this might be at the top of my list.....

Once the temp cool down I plan on going back there this year and getting up on top of the overhang that juts out from the left when facing the falls. Beyond that, I would like to follow it to it's headwaters and see if there's anything else above the falls. All in all, it's a wonderful waterfall and can take fancy footwork to get there without bustin' tail!

I always come in from the top - a real easy bushwhack down from the trail above. There is a nice twin falls a hundred yards above the big waterfall where two drainages come together - the left fork ends near the trail/road as a spring with lots of moss-covered rocks. The spot you are talking about getting to is quite dangerous.

alrighty then.
I was checking out topos and thought about it after the fact - sorta looked like such... it's a shame but I suppose it has been that long since I've been out there!
as far as that small crag, dangerous because the side walls are steep?
I figured it might take a couple times to scout around before I actually tried - just a little something I've wanted to do.

Oh yeah, ever heard of Whiskey Cave along a drainage upstream from Thunder Canyon Falls drainage? Fun little 2 1/2 room cave with a 12'-15' foot waterfall inside.

Side walls are very steep, not much to hold onto. I would use a rope...

If you look in the Buffalo River Hiking Trails guidebook you will see the spring marked - it forms the east fork that becomes part of the twin falls just above Thunder Canyon Falls, and the west fork is actually Hideout Hollow - if you follow it all the way up you will find the great Hideout Hollow Falls (easier to reach via its trail though).

Nearly all caves on government property are closed to entry right now due to the disease that is killing bats.

Oh yeah, I know the caves are closed. Hell, my jaw dropped when they closed off Devil's Den. Anyways, just wondering if you were familiar with any of those caves nearby(other than Fitton) - must've been 2 summers ago when I went in it.
Anyways, I figured rope would be a necessity, just haven't ran into many who have actually done it...

As for the west fork, my ladyfriend and I followed Hideout down a bit back in the day, just never far enough to reach Thunder Canyon/Fantasy falls. That's the spring that's just downhill from the trail, no?
To lazy to pull out my topos right now...

The spring that begins the east fork is the one that is marked on the map in the guidebook - it is right below the road/trail. I've not done any caves in many years, but used to scuba dive in a lot of them.

I haven't seen my guidebook in ages - probably a lost loner...
I do remember seeing these features though!
Now I just need to find a fun way down to the Cecil Cove loop from Mcferrin Point(can be seen from the trail) for easier access than driving all the way around to Erbie, unless they put a car escalator in at that so called 'road'...
I keep telling the Ms. that is the perfect reason to trade in my Cherokee for a tank... ...or at least something a little tougher!

It is just a short bushwhack down the hill, although there was extensive ice damage all over that area. The power line is all cut out though. I always drive down to the upper access to the Cecil Cove Loop trail and park there - misses the worst of the road.

Really, ever since I regrettably switched over to 2WD I've been worried about coming up that stretch of the Erbie to Compton Rd. between the Bench Trail's eastern trailhead and the McFerrin Point trailhead. Then again, I actually have seen 2 low clearance cars without an oil pan after trying to pass the rutted out section of road before reaching Erbie(one of the car's occupants were some kids from San Antonio as well!!)