Side Trip: Spur Trail to Hemlock Gorge Overlook

Follow this trail to an overlook in Hemlock Gorge. This gorge formed where fall creek has carved its path into layers of sedimentary rock millions of years old. At the end of the most recent ice age around 12,000 years ago, glacial-debris buried the stream valley previously carved by the water of fall creek. In some areas, like the wooded hillsides around Beebe Lake, fall creek was able to find its old path. In other areas, like here in Hemlock Gorge, Fall Creek found a new course and cut through relatively soft layers of sandstone and shale, creating this younger, narrow gorge. When you have completed this additional trail, return to the tour for more stops along Beebe Lake.