Dismal's Canyon

[6GUNSONLY]

Made a day hiking trip today with our children's minister and a group of 10, 11, and 12 year olds. Thought you might enjoy a few pics of this unusual and beautiful spot located in Marion County, Alabama.

The crew:


Gena, our fearless leader

 

[Joe S.]

Beautiful pics!

 

[HAWKEYE#28]

Wonder what that ground has seen in the many years............if only it could talk 8)

 

[TucsonDirt]

Nice place, and good for you helping out and providing supervision on the trip!

 

[6GUNSONLY]

Wonder what that ground has seen in the many years............if only it could talk 8)

Native American culture, outlaws (one cave there is called "Burr's Hideout" after a well-known outlaw), and moonshiners, but that's just in "recent" history. It's one of those places that just has that feel of "ancient".

There's also an interesting natural phenomenon there which we were able to observe - it's a small larval stage gnat this is self-luminescent (glows in the dark). They are tiny, maybe a 1/4", but plainly visible in the little crevices in the rocks after dark. We were able to find some, but they say they are much more plentiful in the spring.

The area also boasts the largest known specimen of the Eastern Hemlock tree, but I failed to get a picture of it.

 

[6GUNSONLY]

Here's a couple more...

 

[6GUNSONLY]

Nice place, and good for you helping out and providing supervision on the trip!

Ha, thanks. Do I get extra credit because it was opening day of firearms deer season here and I went on a trip with these kids instead? :)

JK - I'm off all this next week, and deer will be rendered into venison in due time... so it wasn't that big of a sacrifice. Not really cold enough to suit me for hunting yesterday anyway. Rained all day today and supposed to get colder tonight.