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Introduction
Trail 8 is a long north-south hike on the narrow west side of the Park. It pairs to the east side's Trails 1 and 3-7.
Trail 8 mostly sticks to the ridgetop except for two places where it connects to Trail 2: (1) at the Trail 8-2 switch-back connector mid-canyon and (2) at the last section of Trail 8 down into the canyon via a switch-back to Trail 2.
Trail 8, in season, offers wonderful views of the opposite canyon wall, a pleasant natural history experience for the astute observer, and a relaxing paced hike outdoors.
The aerial view below shows Trail 8 in yellow for comparison to the other trails in blue.
The Park property map classes Trail 8 as ~ 4.5 mile rugged trail. The complete one-way route (no spurs) described below is about 2.3 miles.
Along the Way
Trail 8 begins at the north end of the park at its parking lot. Before even starting the trail, there is a nice information panel and, next to it, an abandoned water fountain from the CCC era (A).
Trailhead for Trail 8 at parking lot in north end of Park.
1930's CCC-era water fountain
Most of the Park within the canyon is a nature preserve
Enter the trail and walk down a long series of steps and navigate the final few feet of hillside before crossing Big Clifty Creek (B) at the north property line (a bridge on Black Road). The large stepping stones to help cross the creek were a project of the Friends of Clifty Falls State Park.
If you stand on the stepping stones or the creek bed (if safe), look down the channel to the left and you will see a bit of an indentation in the hillside. That marks the location of an old quarry. This quarry might have preceded the CCC era.
at the creek bed, looking back up toward trailhead
the stepping stones over Big Clifty Creek with the county road and bridge (Black Road) behind
view downstream to old quarry on left
Slightly up the trail, find the old CCC pump house on the opposite bank (C). Turn to note the channel there and find a dam just below the pump house. This dam forms what was called the mill pond, a pre-CCC era structure. Historically, there was a grist mill near this site with a raceway.
intermediate section of trail
view looking upstream of old pump house (right) above the old mill pond - note water flowing over the dam in foreground
closer view of pump house and mill pond
pump house and mill pond below with overflow
outlet pipe at base of mill pond dam
Continue on the trail and note the canyon wall on the opposite side, the downed trees, and other interesting views. At one point, just before the trail ascends a small hill, you will pass over a small side channel that feeds Big Clifty Creek (D). Pay attention and you will note that the creek does - almost - a 90-degree left turn at this spot. The trail continues ahead a bit, then will also turn left and follow parallel to the creek and canyon wall - and head down the long trek to the south end.
section of trail
large fallen blocks along hillside on other side of creek
tributary stream to Big Clifty Creek crosses under the trail
once the trail rounds the bend, observe the bend in Big Clifty Creek
This long west side trek is a good hike and filled with interesting views. The views are majestic across the canyon, especially in winter. You will be able to see both the Big Clifty Falls underlook and overlook (E). But - note the safety signs and common sense and stay away from the edge - a temptation best avoided.
Along this path, you will also encounter the Trail 8-2 connector - a switchback section that takes you down to the canyon floor.
The views are also more close at hand. As you go south on Trail 8, the right side (the narrow side of the canyon compared to the east side) will have wonderful complements of wildflowers including one of the few spots for the Drooping Trillium. It also has an abundance of American Cancer-root, a parasitic plant associated with oak trees.
The connector from Trail 8 to Trail 2 is further along this segment.
Lastly, you will note that the park border is right near to the trail - private homes and property abut the park there.
the Underlook on the other side of the canyon
the Overlook on the other side of the canyon
observe warning signs
a section of trail
access to Trail 2 from Trail 8
The only significant falls on the west side is Wallace Falls, probably named for a previous landowner in the area. You will see the top of the creek that forms the falls and walk over a footbridge there (F). There is a pleasant-looking older footbridge just upstream of the "new" footbridge at this location.
Trail 8 continues on toward its steep switchback (G) descent to the canyon floor with more small interesting delights to be seen along the way.
the approach down to the footbridge over the creek that gives rise to Wallace Falls
the old bridge over Wallace Falls tributary
looking up the hillside at "Wallace Falls" creek
the old bridge over Wallace Falls tributary from existing footbridge
Using Trail 8
Many hikers use Trail 8 as an "out-and-back" starting from north trailhead and parking lot, then going as far as their time allows.
You can also start at the south end by dropping down Trail 1 into Trail 2, and crossing the creek, getting on the trail there, starting with the steep ascent. Most people probably start at the north end.
Trail 8 is a part of these interesting hikes described at our Hiking the Trails page:
Upper Canyon Loop Hike
Rim-to-Rim Hike
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