Tranquil surroundings

Burden Falls in Pope County, Ill., presents somewhat of a dilemma. It's the perfect place to visit on a hot summer day when the heat index is off the charts. However, it's not nearly as scenic during dry summer weather, when the creek shrivels to nothing and the waterfalls stop falling.

But if you can find a way to visit during nice weather following a period of wet weather, Burden Falls is one of the more spectacular places to see in Southern Illinois. As a bonus, the falls are within shouting distance of the parking area, so this destination doesn't involve any long, sweaty hikes.

Burden Creek cascades over a series of sandstone ledges as it drops into a rock-lined canyon. The upper falls, right next to the parking area, are only a few feet tall but picturesque. And on a hot day, it's hard to resist getting wet.

The upper cascade is just an appetizer though. Follow the creek a few hundred feet to the north to reach the lip of the lower falls.

Watch your step; here the water drops 20 to 30 feet into the canyon floor in dramatic fashion. The best view is from the northeast. Follow the ledge to the right and carefully continue along the rock wall. You'll be rewarded with the view.

If you're feeling adventurous, scramble down the boulders to reach the bottom of the falls. The view from here is the coolest -- in temperature and scenery.

If you enjoy hiking, a trailhead from the parking lot leads into the Burden Falls Wilderness Area, a 3,775-acre parcel of land set aside by Congress in 1990. But you may want to save your legs for another scenic spot, Bell Smith Springs, located just down the road. I'll save that for the next trip.

jbaughn@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 212