One Day Wilderness: Needles Eye

If there is one thing I have learned about hikers in the south, it’s that they are very protective of their wilderness areas. That being said, I don’t feel that special places like this are for the elite few who know there whereabouts exclusively because over time the forests swallow them up. They are meant to be found and explored by anyone willing to put in the time and sweat to find them. They belong to everyone. Start out your trip at the O+w Bridge in BSF and head over the expanse to the other side and uphill on the JMT/Shelltowee TR. It’s a sturdy and muddy climb to the base of Jake’s Falls and then a bit more to Devil’s Den. Once you are up top, cruise on a bit more through a couple horse gates on relatively flat trail. Keep an eye out for a rigged looking homemade sign where the Sheltowee makes a hard left, you go straight instead. This wide way is kinda blown out by horse traffic, so prepare for some muddy spots. Keep right at all intersections past a old picnic table and a trail that drops down off the ridge. In about 40 feet you will see the entrance to the Eye. Make sure you go under the small arch that is the top of the “Crypt” and head down the ladder to the end of the cave where you can see the eye symbolism of the entrance. It boggles the mind thinking about the various forces of nature that created this treasure. Big South Fork is full of these awesome arches, caves, rock houses and ledges and I feel fortunate to be able to explore them at will, go BSF!

Jake’s Falls

Devil’s Den

Back at the Bridge