Convergence at Confluence (Point)

Thanks to the Trail Committee, the vision and hard work associated with creating a new point of destination along our Big Canoe trails is now nearing completion. The new point has been officially christened Confluence Point and is located roughly midway between the Upper and Lower Falls.

To a stranger, Confluence Point is a place along the stream in the mountain woods that can be described as tranquil, sparkling, alluring and peaceful. It is a place of constant motion but also of constant peace. It’s a place of rest and beauty but with constant noise and constant stillness and quiet. It’s a place to clear your head.

The emergence of Confluence Point has been a massive undertaking by the Trails Committee. A little more than two years ago a young couple chose to have their wedding pictures made at the spot that is now known as Confluence Point. Shortly after the pictures were made, the area was nearly destroyed by a storm. Many surrounding large trees had blown down. The BC trail was completely impassable and the two flowing streams as well as an underground stream that flows into the area were almost completely covered with debris. Massive limbs and trees covered the area. The trees falling had caused an underground spring along the walking trail to send a constant flow of water over the trail creating a slippery and dangerous place to walk. After numerous work sessions to cut, drag and remove tress, lift and reposition stones and build stairs along the walking trail to included large stones allowing the water from the underground stream to flow under the steps, we are nearing the end of our goal to recapture the beauty of this wonderful place. See the story here.

Cleaning up the mess back in 2019. Photo by Steve Papke.

We have cleaned the dead trees and removed limbs and debris so that access can easily be made from the Jeep Trail or the walking trail. We have also created a rock lined pull-off point along the Jeep Trail to allow vehicles to park while visiting the site. Massive trees are being removed from the stream beds in order to fully appreciate the flow of the waters and to eliminate limbs and other debris from accumulating. There will be two different points for visitors to sit and rest or to simply enjoy the area. On the Jeep Trail side of the streams a very large portion of a tree that had been lying across the Upper Stream has, with considerable effort, been hoisted to overlook the area and will serve as a bench. On the walking trail side, adjacent to the point where the two major streams actually blend together, a park style bench will be placed. There will be stepping stones across the creek in two places – at the point where the two streams meet and another at a point in the Upper Falls stream.

The work is not through. We still have a bit of minor cleaning to do and there are still cut logs in the Upper Falls stream that must be removed. CONFLUENCE POINT signs on both the Upper Falls trail and the Jeep Trail must be made and placed. In addition, we are expecting to plant ferns along a bank beside the Upper Falls walking trail later this year.

If you happen to see a few men and women around BC wearing bright green hats while wading in the water, hoisting huge logs from a stream, digging in the ground and wading the creeks to find large just-right stones or cutting and dragging limbs and trees to hidden out of the way spots, it’s just your Trails Committee.

If you are interested in visiting Confluence Point, you can easily walk there via the Upper Falls Trail or by driving up the Jeep Trail and pulling off to the side of the road at Confluence Point. Another access option is to park at the end of the Jeep Trail (end of Mountain Mint Road) and walk roughly one third of a mile down the Jeep Trail – you’ll see the spot on your right where the pull-off is located and lined with large rocks.

We sincerely hope that you enjoy Confluence Point and that you and your family make this an often-visited spot.