The first time Becca and I drove down the steep switchbacks into Devil’s Den State Park, it was after dark.  We’d driven all day from the southern part of the state to get to our campsite. We hadn’t been married long, so Becca probably wondered about her safety and her future. Years later we hiked these trails with our daughters. Now, more than thirty years after my first visit, I was driving down those switchbacks, looking forward to some familiar trails.

Devil’s Den Trail

The Devil’s Den Trail is short but packed with sights.  Every one-tenth of a mile, there is another point of interest.  I saw, as if for the first time, the Devil’s Theater.  I’d walked past this several times in the past, but never looked closely. It was a much larger outcropping than I’d remembered.

Devil’s Theater

Devil’s Cave

Devil’s Cave is closed to protect the bat population.  Several years ago, before the cave closed, I helped with a trash cleanup.  I’m sure the park rangers’ lives are simpler now.  They have no worries about trash or cave rescues.

Steam can be seen exiting the cave entrance.

Spending a few minutes at the cave entrance reminded me of hikes with my daughters when they were younger.  We didn’t go far into the cave, but it was just the right amount of adventure for a family outing.

Anna and Christen on one of our visits to the cave.

Shortly after the cave, the trail comes along side of intricate crevices that deserve respect.  Some of them are deep.

Some of the crevices next to the trail.

There are several examples of eroded bluffs where years of spinning water carved out bowl-shaped caves in the rock.  Some bluffs were spotted with many eroded places that looked like mini-caves.  This made me wonder what mysteries might be found beneath the surface of the rock.

Devil’s Bowls

The bluff, where the waterfall is located, was icy in spots.  Spots where you wouldn’t want to fall!

Icy bluff

After the short Devil’s Den Trail, it was time for the second classic hike, Yellow Rock. The trail goes right around the base of this tall bluff. On the hillside below you could see evidence of hikers taking shortcuts across switchbacks damaging the trail. I noticed a few young guys walking around down there and asked, “Have you lost the trail, or are you just trying to tear up the hillside.” They looked startled and got back on the trail. They probably thought I was a teacher, school principal, or something like that.

Yellow Rock Trail

It is one mile to Yellow Rock Bluff. I spent some time there and was glad this young man stopped on a crag close by so I would have someone to add perspective to the view.

View from Yellow Rock down into the Lee Creek drainage.

The Yellow Rock Trail goes up to the Overlook Shelter, built by the CCC in 1934. They built it right! If you look closely, you can see the bridge in the valley. Just down the road to the left of the bridge is the Yellow Rock Trailhead. We’ve covered a little distance.

View from the Overlook Shelter

I spent some time at the shelter, then headed down the trail, thankful for the memories tied to these two classic treks.

Devil’s Den Dam around 2002.