Hiking Sandstone Falls Never Fails to Amaze

What’s a waterfall lover to do when the weather is so dry? Head to Sandstone Falls in Summers County. That’s what Phyllis and I did last Friday. Although low, there was still plenty of splash and spray from the falls at Sandstone. In an earlier Post, I wrote about how to get the most out of a visit to Sandstone Falls. I took my own advice and went to the island of rock in the middle of the river that directly faces the falls. 

Sandstone Falls

The island is not a part of the boardwalk and trail system that the National Park Service (NPS) has made, but it’s easily hiked to with a little scrambling. Just take the path to the right just before the final overlook. You can’t miss the turn off. There’s a gap in the boardwalk and a sign reminding fishermen to wear floatation gear when in or near the water. Most people don’t take this scramble, which is a shame because it offers the most spectacular view of Sandstone Falls. 

Sandstone Falls

What is it like to be on the island, and what do the views look like? I’m posting some photos taken from Friday to illustrate. First, you see the falls up close and personal. They are literally right in front of you. This wall of water rushes at you, then turns away at the last second and is channeled to the left by the rock island. In my opinion it’s one of the grandest sights in West Virginia.

Sandstone Falls

Not only are the falls fun to explore and photograph, the flats to the right of the falls are interesting, too. Here the river is very shallow and the river bed is composed of rock scalloped into pools both large and small. It’s a great place to wander around in tennis shoes and cut-offs. 
 

Flats at Sandstone Falls

As a photographer, compositions seem endless. I spent some time working on a reflection from a pool carved in the bedrock near the falls, took some isolation shots of the main falls, and explored the flats for more reflections. The way the water flows over and through the falls, will intrigue you and keep a photographer occupied for hours. 

Sandstone Falls

This is a hike I can always recommend. Anyone who loves water, will love to explore Sandstone Falls. It never fails to amaze. For more information about how to get to the falls and what to do there see this NPS webpage Sandstone Falls.