June 20 - Lucifer Falls

Allan H. Treman State Marine Park

"The only value we have as human beings is the risks we're willing to take." ―Earnest Hemingway

We woke to a beautiful day, so after breakfast on the flybridge, we decided to pack a lunch and head to Robert H.Treman State Park. We parked in the lower section of the park and took the Gorge Trail 2.25 miles up to Lucifer Falls and the old grist mill. Along the way we passed 12 waterfalls, including the magnificent Lucifer Falls that cascades beside a stone staircase and down 115 feet of rock face. The paved trail and stonewalls along the Gorge Trail were built between 1933 and 1942 by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC).

The trail follows Enfield Creek, giving many views of the rock formations in the deep, narrow gorge known as Enfield Glen. An old grist mill at the top of glen was built in 1839. A small settlement of Enfield Falls grew up around the mill in the 1800s. Artifacts from the settlement and mill are on display in the grist mill.  

After lunch we followed the Rim Trail back to the lower falls (2.25 miles). This trail led to a wonderful overlook of Lucifer Falls, then to the Cliff Staircase (221 steps) that brought us to the bottom of the falls...wonderful views from both places. The trail winds through the woods to the lower campground by Treman Falls (Lower Falls). A seasonal pool is at the bottom of this waterfall...it opens on Saturday. It's listed as one of the top 50 natural swimming holes in the United States. We'll explore that more as the summer warms up.

A few of the steps at the beginning of the hike

The Gorge Trail at Robert H. Treman State Park

Our first glimpse at Lucifer Falls

Part of the trail leading up to Lucifer Falls

Lucifer Falls

Above Lucifer Falls

The Old Grist Mill

The view of Lucifer Falls from the overlook

Part of the Cliff Staircase (221 steps) back to the creek 

The bottom of Lucifer Falls. Someone had built rock chairs...the pictures of the falls are the views from the chairs. We thought this was the best place in the park.

Part of the Rim Trail

A video of Lucifer Falls