Asmussen's Crack

Dogs Leashed

Features Fishing · River/Creek · Swimming · Waterfall

Not a good option for running, but it will get your heart racing!

This old trail is blazed dark red on the trees. It is a boulder hop up from where the Cedar Run Trail crosses the stream and begins to switchback up the hill. This trail follows the stream and takes you to the base of the lower falls. After rock-hopping for the first bit of trail, it continues up the right hand side (facing down stream) of the stream all the way to the falls. There is a nice swimming hold at the base of the falls that is relatively private. Once at the lower falls, you can reverse back down to the beginning of the trail, or scrabble, climb up a ravine / crack in the rocky hillside. It is a strenuous climb that is named for a local trail guide, Michael Asmussen, who regularly followed this route while other mere mortals took the main trail. Amazed guests were heard to say, "Look at him climbing up that crack in the rock, it is like he is a spider-monkey."

There is a nice Paw Paw patch at the top of the trail along Cedar Run trail. Strangely, there is a dearth of White Oaks in the area, even though it is named, "White Oak Canyon." The rangers are a bit sensitive about this when asked. The main trees are Red Oaks and Hickories.