At church yesterday, a couple people were asking how I was spending the weekend. When I mentioned that we had done our May Kansas adventures the day before and had gone to some Kansas waterfalls, there was this puzzled look on their faces.
Waterfalls? Kansas?
When one thinks of waterfalls, we may think of ones like these in Iceland.
And I love these Manai Falls in the gorge in the prefecture I grew up at in Japan.
Waterfalls? Kansas?
When one thinks of waterfalls, we may think of ones like these in Iceland.
And I love these Manai Falls in the gorge in the prefecture I grew up at in Japan.
Planning our monthly "go somewhere new in Kansas" trips, I came across an article that took you on a tour of several waterfalls in Kansas. We thought that would be fun! At first we were going to do it in April, but due to the drought, we figured that might not be good. Well, we have had a few good rains, so we decided to do it this month.
The first waterfall was located at Chase State Fishing Lake outside of Cottonwood Falls.
We drove the length of the lake first and took a hike up a hill first. Look at this beautiful wild flower!
To get to the waterfalls, you park by the dam and walk across it.
At the end of the dam, follow the trail to the left and it begins to descend. You can hear the sounds of the falls.
and then you see this
We continued down the path. The ground was a little wet and somewhat slippery.
These falls have a vertical drop of about 40 feet.
There were stepping stones that you could step out into the middle of the stream.
We were quite impressed.
We drove the length of the lake first and took a hike up a hill first. Look at this beautiful wild flower!
To get to the waterfalls, you park by the dam and walk across it.
At the end of the dam, follow the trail to the left and it begins to descend. You can hear the sounds of the falls.
and then you see this
We continued down the path. The ground was a little wet and somewhat slippery.
These falls have a vertical drop of about 40 feet.
There were stepping stones that you could step out into the middle of the stream.
We were quite impressed.Waterfalls #2, Lake Kahola Waterfalls, Dunlap, KS -
We drove north out of Cottonwood Falls on 177 about half-way to Council Grove. Take FF Avenue, a gravel road east.
(It actually might be a better road coming north off Highway 50, but we like these off roads!)
We drove quite a distance and there were a couple of times we weren't sure we were still on the right road.
We drove quite a distance and there were a couple of times we weren't sure we were still on the right road.
In the middle of Flint Hill country. Just beautiful!!
So, what a surprise to find this lake in the middle of ranch country.
With very nice beach homes
with boat garages.
Kahola Falls is just north of the dam and east of the bridge and lake. There is a parking lot of sorts by the dam. We asked a local how to get to the falls. He mentioned that really it is for the owners of the lake homes only, but said he said he didn't think it would be a problem for us to take a look-see. And his son took us down the path to see it.
A little tricky getting down to the falls. Climbing over boulders.
So, what a surprise to find this lake in the middle of ranch country.
With very nice beach homes
with boat garages.
Kahola Falls is just north of the dam and east of the bridge and lake. There is a parking lot of sorts by the dam. We asked a local how to get to the falls. He mentioned that really it is for the owners of the lake homes only, but said he said he didn't think it would be a problem for us to take a look-see. And his son took us down the path to see it.
A little tricky getting down to the falls. Climbing over boulders.
The travel books did not say this was a private waterfall and mentioned that geology students come to see the rock formations and layers of limestone in the falls.
On to our next destination. We headed out of Lake Kahola (doesn't that sound Hawaiian?) toward Council Grove and further north on 177 toward Manhattan.
Waterfall #3, Deep Creek Waterfall, Manhattan, KS
Perhaps for those who are K-Staters, they know all about this place. We were surprised by it.
To get to it, you go north on 177 almost into Manhattan and turn right onto Deep Creek Road. Go 4 miles to Pillsbury Crossing Road (gravel) and follow to the falls.
You can drive right out onto the river bed close to the falls!
We found a cozy spot to have a picnic lunch. (that picnic basket belonged to my Grandpa and Granma Geiger)
It was so relaxing and refreshing eating by the waterfalls.
The rest of the waterfall adventure to be continued another day!
On to our next destination. We headed out of Lake Kahola (doesn't that sound Hawaiian?) toward Council Grove and further north on 177 toward Manhattan.
Waterfall #3, Deep Creek Waterfall, Manhattan, KS
Perhaps for those who are K-Staters, they know all about this place. We were surprised by it.
To get to it, you go north on 177 almost into Manhattan and turn right onto Deep Creek Road. Go 4 miles to Pillsbury Crossing Road (gravel) and follow to the falls.
You can drive right out onto the river bed close to the falls!
We found a cozy spot to have a picnic lunch. (that picnic basket belonged to my Grandpa and Granma Geiger)
It was so relaxing and refreshing eating by the waterfalls.
The rest of the waterfall adventure to be continued another day!
oh that looks so fun!!! I want to go there! :o) who knew that beauty was in Kansas!
ReplyDeleteGreat trip to hidden treasures. We may have to stay-cation again, but if we do, some day trips are a must. You are inspiring. :-)
ReplyDeleteLooks awesome!! We need to do that too!! Hadn't thought of waterfalls....we take day trips exploring around the state though.
ReplyDelete