Thursday, November 30, 2006

Waterfall on North Deep Creek: Shore-Styers Mill Nature Park

Water Colors Photo Copyright © 2007 G. Kiser

Tucked away near East Bend, NC, in Yadkin County, you will find a very impressive waterfall considering how far East you are. Not too far off of US 421 is the site where several mills used to be located. Finding the location is easy enough. Take the Shacktown Exit (Exit 253) from US 421 and turn North onto Old Stage Rd. You will quickly come to a "T" intersection where you will turn left onto Shacktown Rd. After only 0.3 of a mile you will come to Styers Mill Rd where you will turn right and continue for almost a half a mile. Just before a bridge you will see a gravel parking area. The falls can be seen from the parking area.

This is one of the few waterfalls I have visited where the observation deck gives a very good view of the falls and is a good location for pictures. Even though the falls are only 12 feet high, the amount of water that passes over the rocks is enough to categorize this as a full blown waterfall. The watershed is plentiful, so you should expect good flow any time during the year.
Even though the observation deck is well placed, you owe it to yourself to venture down to the falls for a closer look. There are several paths leading down to the banks of the stream. There are plenty of rocks scattered throughout the water, but if you want to cross to the other bank, be prepared to get wet. At the most shallow point, you are looking at knee level water for at least half the trip across. The rocks are not that steady either, so if you are trying to rock hop, beware, you could end up off balance and laying in the stream...not speaking from experience, of course.




What Lies Beneath

Once down at stream level, you will unfortunately see the evidence of those that visit here. There are beer cans, water bottles, and believe it or not I've even seen a pair of underwear in the grass. There was also a good amount of graffiti that detracted from the natural beauty. This is a shame and impacts not only the environment, but those trying to enjoy it as well. When you are visiting these amazing natural wonders, please be sure you leave it in the same condition as when you got there.

Once you get past the evidence of littering and vandalism, you might find some rock-wall remains by the falls. These are from the mills that have operated here in the past. There is not much left, but memories and some stone work. Yadkin County has purchased the land and has made it a historical park. You can read more about the Shore-Styers Mill Nature Park at http://www.shore-styers-mill.org/.

I was skeptical about this waterfall after reading about it, but I must say, this waterfall should be on your must see list.  I have been several time now, and each time the vandalism gets a little bit worse, and the trash seems to pile up.  However, the waterfall remains worth a visit.  It is beautiful!  From a photography standpoint, your best bet will be isolations of the different elements of the falls.  These will provide more dramatic photographs than the typical "postcard shot" which includes the entire waterfall.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

It Amazes me in  so many different good sized waterfalls!

Thanks, Greg in sharing all of these neat sites!
Ann

Anonymous said...

beautiful, Greg.  thank you for sharing your journeys.

Michelle

Anonymous said...

You are amazing!  You just totally get the perfect shots!  Beautiful!!

Jackie

Anonymous said...

beautiful!  i especially like the first shot.
gina

Anonymous said...

those are very beautiful prictures. they make me feel all "fall" like



_DiamonD_

Anonymous said...

My husband's family live very close to Yadkin County. Actually, they live in Elkin and the Jonesville area, but I've never seen this particular waterfall. It's a shame that folks who live in that area are not aware of the piece of beauty that you saw. If they were, they might be protecting it. I understand, though, that there are those enviromentally inclined, and there are those who are ignorant and base. It reminds me of the road I drive on every week on my way to church. The road is adopted by the women of the church, and they clean it several times a year. More often than that, however, it is littered by careless and thoughtless people who toss the empty beer bottles, soda cans, and fast food trash out their car windows as they drive by. Not to mention the bigger stuff we find, like car tires, furniture, mattresses, and such. I ask myself why? Do they not see what their laziness and carelessness does to the environment? And do they not care that someone else has to clean up the mess? Volunteer based? I knew someone when I was a kid who said, "Yeah, it's okay to throw out stuff because those people would be without a job if they didn't have it to clean up."   ??  what the heck? What kind of thinking is that? So stupid. Beautiful shot and I love the information you provided with it.  bea           http://beta.journals.aol.com/bgilmore725/Wanderer/

Anonymous said...

I am so impressed by all the waterfalls you have captured and the compositions balancing rock, water, and foliage.     The ambience ranges from close and intimate to expansive areas of landscape.    The transition from near to mid to far is seamless.     Congratulation on the Polarized ( I can not remember the rest right now) newsletter!     mark

Anonymous said...

 Great Photo's!.. I can see the love for your craft in them... Will definately return to immerse myself in your World... Peace!...

Anonymous said...

It's beautiful there!
http://boiseladie.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

Lovely pictures.

Happy New Year!

Gab

Anonymous said...

There is something about flowing water that is so peaceful, great shot. I bet your looking forward to the weather warming up so you can get back out there again. Can't wait for spring!!!!

~ Jenny

Anonymous said...

Love your waterfalls. Waterfall are magical*lclc2u

Anonymous said...

Love your waterfalls. Waterfalls are magical*lclc2u