Keith and Diane Logan stayed with us in Chattanooga on the way back to their summer home in Indiana from a winter condo in Florida. Heavy rains for three days before they arrived, enticed us to go back to Rock Island State Park. Rock Island suffered a dry spell during our first visit that caused low water levels, which allowed us to hike down into the Caney Fork River Gorge.
We started our tour high atop the gorge’s steep cliffs. The runoff-muddied water meant the falls would be gushing.
The limestone bedrock in the bottom of the gorge is cut into sharp steps by swift currents. When walking inside the gorge, lifejackets are highly recommended as the water can rise at any time.
The Falls City Cotton Mill was built in 1892. The great flood of 1902 washed away the flume and turbine that powered its machinery. Built by Asa Faulkner, it employed 300 workers, mostly needy widows and children. This is the only mill along the river that survived.
The “Castle Spring House” sits atop a cold spring that supplied drinking water to Falls City residents. Perishable foods were kept inside and stayed fresh for weeks, even during hot summer months.
The Caney Fork River and Collins River come together just above the Great Falls Dam before entering the Caney Fork Gorge. Warning horns blare and strobe lights glare to warn hikers in the gorge when water is released through the dam’s flood gates.
We drove around the river to view Twin Falls from the other side. The beautiful cascades flowed at maximum volume leaving the runoff roiled. Rock Island SP delivered another excellent experience and left us with great respect for the power of the water that rages through this gorge.