We began our day by leaving Ashland in the rear view mirror. The town slowly shrunk as we snaked our way up the paved road leading into the Monument. The sun had just started to peek through the clouds and the sky held the promise of more sunshine to come. The car was quiet as the occupants observed the changing landscape outside the windows. We traveled into rolling hills and meadows, soon reaching towering forests. Our destination, Lost Creek Falls, is exactly what the name implies. Lost. Off the beaten path, this secluded hike is hard to find and often unknown. Soon we turned off the paved road, onto a gravel one that led us deeper into the forest. The further we drove the more changes we saw, lush greenery along the road, tall trees, and eventually, a small creek.
When we finally came to a stop and opened the doors, we were greeted by the earthy scent of the forest floor accompanied by the fresh water that trickled in the creek. The area was stunning, and the chirping birds sang as we gathered our group to begin the hike to Lost Creek Falls. Starting in we found a small single file trail winding through the open forest. Following the trail we found many native flowers, some of which were rare species to find. This prompted a conversation about the origin of the Monument. How in 2000 former President Bill Clinton used the Antiquities Act to conserve and preserve this area of land because of its expansive biodiversity. We continued to hike, thinking about what this meant, and beginning to see for ourselves the rich mosaic of plant and animal life living and thriving in the very place we walked. The canopy began to tighten, allowing only a few streams of sunlight through to the forest floor. Not long after the dense forest started, we began to encounter large fallen trees across our path. It was amazing to see the smiles everyone bore as they traversed the terrain, sensing the wilderness of the place and becoming enchanted by it. Soon, the canopy cover reopened, and rocky outcroppings emerged in the distance. The sound of the creek had grown so gradually, one could almost miss the change.
Leading the group out of the forest and into a clearing, we found ourselves at the top of a gorge. The steep rocky walls were covered in rich green vegetation, but there was no waterfall in the distance. Instead, we found the trail had led us directly to the top of the falls. Walking around the side we made our way to a craggy outcropping alongside the gorge wall and looked back at the falls. We meandered in the area, appreciating the beauty in the falls and finding new flowers, trees, and wildlife. As the sun shined down on us, eventually it was time to go. Walking the trail back out, we reflected on what it meant to have accessed such a beautiful and wild feeling place.
Overall, the Lost Creek hike gave a sense of discovery, adventure, and connection with the landscape. As citizens, advocates, and stewards of the environment, we question the roles we play within the Monument and how we can take action to preserve these wild places.
