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Graves Creek, Big Piney Creek
Rainy hike above Big Piney Creek to Graves creek with moist action
5/23/20
  The Big Piney Creek is born of many branches. Its watershed is quite large. Many areas along this great river provide much beauty for those that view them. Many areas do not. A fair amount of logging is to blame for much of this ruination. The national forest is a land of many uses...recreation being but one of these. Graves Creek enters the Piney at the top of a fist shaped bend just downstream of where Indian Creek enters. Named after the Jimbobwhe Indians, Indian Creek enters near the community of treat. Graves Creek enters near the community of nothing and is named after no Indians. I first explored this gorge in the spring of 2013. Here, many wonders were observed. Seven years later, I returned to take a second look.
  The drive north was one of wetness. The rain fell with a hardness similar to other rains experienced in my lifetime. Breakfast was had at Denny's in Russellville. Upon arrival at the entry location for this hike, it was noted that the rain had now ceased. At 5:00 a.m. with 65° and cloudy skies, I left the vehicle. The forest contained much moistness. My clothing soon matched the moisture content of the shrubbery, which was 100%. Equilibrium achieved. Three small bluff lines had to be passed to gain access to the lowest bluff line. Slippery surfaces and shifting soil products made this a difficult endeavor. I persevered and with many near death happenstances, emerged victorious as my target bluff was mounted. The clouds looked, as if, to be moving aside, but this appearance would prove to be pure deception. Nature promised a day of finery, but nature can not be trusted. Some time was spent here and the show of clouds was dramatic. Rain did return and forced me back into the dark woodscape of peril. 
  I now made my way towards the creek...Graves Creek...named after Jim Job Graves of eighteen and thirty seven. He was killed by local  Jimbobwhean Indians in 1843. He was survived by no one. The creek was reached as the rain continued. It was followed upstream. I was forced to stay above the creek, as walls of rock lined the edges of the waterway. After a time, my direction turned up the slope. Near 10:00 my man vehicle was before me and the rain was gone...of course. It was 70° with clearing skies. 3.5 miles were covered. Conditions were less than optimal but the hike was still one proving much joy.

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