Hippie Hole

Little River Canyon National Preserve is a United States National Preserve located on top of Lookout Mountain near Fort Payne, Alabama, and DeSoto State Park. Created by an act of Congress in 1992, the nearly 14,000 acre preserve protects what is sometimes said to be the nation's longest mountaintop river. It flows for almost its entire length down the middle of Lookout Mountain in northeast Alabama. Over eons of geologic time, it has carved out one of the Southeast's deepest canyons as it winds its way from headwaters in Georgia.

At Hippie Hole, (recently rated as one of the best swimming holes in the U.S.), there are cliffs and rocks from where you can jump in the water. The jumps are from 7ft to 25ft (!!). Don't worry, cliff jumping is optional, since there are easier access points. But the water crossing on the slippery rocks above the water fall, to get to our hang out is tricky.

The plan is to swim, cliff jump and hang out on the rocks. We'll also explore down Little River from the hole. You'll need good water shoes, and be a good swimmer for this trip. I also recommend a snorkeling mask or goggles. I don't recommend this trip for people who are not water lovers and good swimmers, because we plan on spending a lot of time in the water and exploring down river (within the river). If you're not capable of doing this, you'll be bored just hanging out on the rocks waiting for us to return. I'm leading this trip with the objective to find members who love this type of activity. No paparazzi just hanging out on the rocks allowed. And again, it's tricky just getting to where we'll hang out, so good footwear for water crossings, good balance, and good swimmers comfortable in the water is mandatory. There are no life guards, and there is no trail. You do not have the option to walk beside us in other words. You get in the water, or you can't follow. The picture I took above is of where we'll be going. You can also look at my past trip down this river by searching for "Hippie Hole", and you can look at the pictures I took the last time we went down the river. A picture is worth a thousand words.

I don't recommend bringing expensive gear you can't leave on the rocks while we explore down river or even while swimming nearby in the giant lovely pool of fresh mountain water. So pack what you can carry, with the exception of items for a pack with lunch, since we won't be bringing our lunch down the river. We'll come back for that, or eat before we leave.

Optional: Take a short road trip further down into Little River Canyon to take some pictures over the gorge.

Important: This trip will be cancelled due to inclement weather.

Will be given at carpool only.