Friday Hike Day: Hermit Falls,Chantry Flats

Hiking crew.

Actually we hiked on Monday, Martin Luther King Jr. Day.  Chantry Flats is a very popular recreation area and home to numerous trail heads. Parking can get pretty crazy, especially on weekends and holidays.

Do gooders!
Collecting trash for soda. 

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:

• Adventure (parking) Pass is required.
• Vault toilet at trail head. {HOT TIP: the upper lot has real flushing toilets that are not as used. Bring your own TP just in case!}
• Steep asphalt road at beginning of hike--remember this for your return.
• Dog friendly {on leash} trail.
• 3< mile round trip.

One of many infinity pools along this trail.

Once we found parking and headed toward the trail, we noticed rep under a canopy at a table. She was having out trash bags and offering a FREE soda to anyone who filled up the bag at least half way with trash. This was such a great idea! I always think of this too late and forget to bring trash bags. We grabbed a few and the kids were really on it. There actually wasn't much trash along the trail, over all but there were plenty of plastic bottles that had obviously fallen along the sides of the trail, but they were unsafely out of our reach so we had to leave them behind. But as you can see, the kids did work together to fill up one full bag and two other bags half way (our friends with their bag are missing from this picture).

Another natural infinity pool.

This hike is rather mild on the way in. Pretty much all downhill. You know what that means...uphill all the way back. Haha. It's a beautiful season to enjoy this trail. Dry and dusty at first but then it moves closer to the creek and lush greenery surrounds you. The trail can be dry, dusty and narrow. 

Eye level view of the top tier of the falls.

While we were hiking in we actually witnessed a young man FALL OF THE EDGE of the trail. Granted, he was being very reckless, riding a skateboard along the trail. One of his tires was too close to the edge, the edge gave way and he fell and slid down the side of the mountain. Lucky for him, he was caught by a tree and his friends were able to pull him back up. No major damage or injury and I hope he learned his lesson. Always use caution and be safe. The trails must be respected. 

Once you arrive at the falls, you will notice it is tiered with pools separating the tiers. The largest pool may be deep enough to jump in. Some hikers have jumped from the higher cliffs. PLEASE use wisdom and caution. There have also been deaths at this location due to careless behavior. The falls are a nice spot to stop and have lunch before the return. Unfortunately it is also home to plenty of graffiti. 



This trail also features cabins, private property, please be respectful. You will see dams, similar to what you see along the neighboring Sturtevant Falls trail. 

I recommend this trail except for the parking challenges. You can park along the highway in designated areas. Pay attention to all posted signs. Be careful walking along the highway to the trail head.

I wonder if you could slide down this
into the pool below?

View of the top two tiers and adjacent pools.