Mill Springs is between Somerset, Ky and Monticello, Ky, off highway 90. From Somerset, go west on 90 most of the way to Monticello, around 10 miles, and turn right (north) on 1275, and follow that for a mile or two, and the site will be on the right. You will pull into a parking area, and from there you can look down on the mill, and see the lake behind it. Close to the parking area is a gift shop. The mill is downhill from that.

Mill Springs is the site of an old mill, and it was also the site of Civil War action--The Battle Of Mill Springs.

The current mill was built in 1877, on the site of the original mill which was built in 1840. The canon is near the end of a little peninsula. A restroom building is near the head of it, and a picnic shelter is out near the canon.

This old engine shown here is underneath the mill, and can easily be seen by visitors. The mill is operational and is turned on twice a day during summer. Old mills are interesting to me and I have enjoyed looking at this one. I happened to be there at the right time one summer and got to see the 40 ft. water wheel turning. It lasted only a minute I think, but was interesting to watch. Water comes out of the side of a hill and runs down into a little cove off the lake. To run the mill, some of that water is diverted to the big wheel and it gets the wheel turning. There is a good walkway and stone steps leading down to the mill, and walkways around the mill. Another one leads off to one side to where a stream of water runs from the side of the hill to the cove. It runs right by the end of the walkway, and plunges a good distance down into the lake. That's it over at the right here. Below is a shot of the cove that shows this falls on the left, and smaller ones on the right. That stream splits, and some of it runs around to the other side, and plunges down. Click here to see a bigger version of the picture on the right.

What really interests me about this place is the water, and what I've shown so far is not the best of it. These falls are next to the mill and so are a part of the mill site, but not far away is a bigger falls, up at the head of another long cove. It is within easy walking distance, although getting there is not suitable for everyone. It requires good footing, and some descent and ascent. It isn't difficult for people in reasonable condition. A walking stick is very useful back there.

Which route to start on is a matter of how much water is coming out of the side of the hill by the mill. There is a low stone wall along the lower part of the hill, and water runs over it when the flow is plentiful. There is also a big tree trunk on that wall. It's been there for some time. If you don't mind getting your shoes wet, you can walk along the top of the wall for a short distance, climbing over the log as you go, and then step down and walk a little further on stones stacked to make a walkway through more water that is running out of the hill. Water runs out of the hill in numerous places, not only there, but also from the side of the ridge up in that long cove where the big falls is. Getting back to the route, you walk on the low wall, then down onto the row of stacked stones, and then get on the trail that goes up hill to the corner, where the long cove starts in. If the water by that wall is not overflowing the wall, it won't be a problem for shoes. If it is, and you want to keep your shoes dry, you can start out on the right side of the gift shop. Go past it on the right and walk through the woods up on the high side of that slope. There is a path there, and it curves around and then down to the row of stacked stones. Just follow the stones to end of them and get on the trail I mentioned above.

After following that trail up to high ground, and you get to the corner where you can see the mouth of the cove, the trail turns right, and heads up in that cove. It goes down some along the way. This picture here shows the main falls, as I call it. The trail is much higher. This falls is like a mini Cumberland Falls. That's how I thought of it the first time I was there. I've seen it numerous times, at different flow levels. Sometimes it roars over, and other times it is just a whisper of a falls.

On the way along that trail you will find a very large tree, and more water running out of the side of the ridge. It runs down and makes more waterfalls.

Below is a photo showing that. This was made from a rock near the base of the main falls. There is somewhat of a cave beyond the falls shown here. During a time of low water, I got up in there and saw an opening, but didn't pursue it. I don't know if it goes anywhere. Just out of the picture, on the near side, is another opening. One can stoop and get in there and see water running, but you can't go anywhere. It's just a small space.

On the right is that water running out of the side of the ridge, and it is this water that makes the falls shown above. Water comes out in more than one place. Some of it blends, and some makes its own streams. All together, it is pretty neat.

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When you follow the trail back, you can dip down to a certain overlook place and get this view here. I've made several pictures from this vantage point, at different times. The one on the left was made one early summer. The one on the right was made near the end of this past September. When Driving along 1275, I checked the creek that runs along the road to see if there would be any water falling, but the creek was about empty. I went to the falls anyway and found a nice flow of water, as shown above right. Water comes out of the ground somewhere between where I looked and the falls. Click here for a bigger view.

From this little overlook spot, you can wind your way down to water level. Actually, you can arrive there by branching off the main trail before you get to the overlook, but I usually go to the overlook first. It is here that a walking stick is very useful because the descent is steep, and you might slide a little if not careful. Some tree roots are exposed on that slope and they help somewhat in descending. On the way down you can see that small hole in the wall, and peek in if desired. I noticed last time that someone had scratched graffiti on the wall there. I don't understand why so many people want to deface rock walls with graffiti, especially in caves. I guess it makes them feel important.

This is some of what you will see at the bottom. At the time of this picture, water was too high to walk around closer to the falls. I guess a person might be able to climb around, or climb up through a gap not shown here, but I didn't have any need to do all that. There are times when you can step around on rocks out of the water. I like to get up close when I can. One spring the lake was low enough that I could get right up close, and I made pictures at each end. The right end is shown below.

I was able to walk all the way across in front of the falls and get to the other side. I've found it that way other times too. To me, it is kind of thrillling to be at a falls, to hear the roar, and feel the spray. I don't know why kids want to do drugs. They can go stand in front of a good waterfall and get plenty from that. A waterfall like this just totally captures my attention. I feel a rapture. I'm like John Denver. I get high on nature.

This falls is really great during a heavy flow, as shown at right.

From that overlook place where you get the view shown at right, you can follow the trail on upstream, and go right past the falls, but well above it. The trail is narrow there, with the cliff right next to it, so you have to be real careful. If you don't want to get that close to the edge, you can go up higher and then back down. I like the path next to the cliff. I can look right down on the falls.

The stream above the falls is marvelous too. It has several little drops and cascades, and it too can be a torrent during a heavy runoff, as seen at right.

After passing the falls, the trail slopes down a short distance and then comes out to bedrock alongside the stream. From there, you can walk upstream further, stepping up as you go. If the water isn't heavy, you can walk on bedrock most of the way up until you get to the top, above all the stepdowns. From there, the stream is fairly calm.

Directly below are two views of the same place above the falls. The lower one shows again heavy runoff. It gets wild out there sometimes, and I love it. I made a 40 minute video of heavy runoff early last summer.

Below right is a view made late this past September. It shows a moderate flow. Click here for a bigger view.

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This picture just below shows the last of the little drops you would find on your way upstream. From the highest end you can see here, the stream levels off. All together, this stream and falls is pretty nice, and it is not far from Somerset or Monticello. It doesn't require a lot of hiking to see it, and it offers much for relaxation and tuning in with nature, and photography. I'll go there from time to time, just to experience the sounds and sight of running, and falling water. It is soothing during a mild flow, on a sunny day, and it is stimulating during heavy flow. It's just a good place.

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Fascinating are the streams, as they flow along over rocks, this way and that, gurgling and swirling and rushing along and making a symphony of watery music. Sunlight shines down through the trees and shimmers and dances off the water, giving added sparkle and intensity to the life and energy of the stream. Running, rocky creeks seem to give a place life, a vitality that is lacking when they are dried up or near it. The motion, the sound, the sunlight, all interact to make a wondrous, living, changing entity. mmmmWBR

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