Graveyard Fields is a very popular place, and it's worth stopping at even if you don't like crowds. It's at MP 418 on the Parkway. You can't miss it - the parking lot is good size, but will be overflowing on a nice week end. The area got it's name years ago from the tree stumps and surrounding trees that looked like grave stones in a graveyard setting. Then in 1925, an intense fire burned the recently logged area, and the forest has been slow in recovering since. The above photo is from the parking lot and you can see all the open area which is unusual for this neck of the woods.
Yellowstone Prong is the water source for the 3 falls. Second Falls is easy to get to. From the parking area, head down the stairs on the north end of the lot and take the paved path a short ways down to Yellowstone Prong. The waterfall isn't too far downstream and you can follow the rocks to the top of the falls. Or, take the bridge across and follow the path down to the base area of the falls. The rock all along the prong is very colorful, and especially so at the bottom part of this 60' drop. There's a viewing platform for the falls or you can get a closer look from the boulders at the base of the falls.
From here, Yellowstone Falls is downstream. It's not listed on on the trail board in the parking area and I'm guessing it's because it's a wicked descent to the base. Cathy and KT had been here before, so they led the way. Can't tell you the exact path because there are several, but we passed through a flat area with a camping ring, then headed towards the stream. The path down is extremely steep and it requires holding on to roots and trees and rocks - and sometimes for dear life. The path isn't well defined and it splits part of the way down. The right fork heads to the top section of the falls which slides about 100' over some tightly banded rock.
There's a small pool, then the flow falls another 25' over more colorful rock. You can barely see Cathy at the top right of the falls. Upper Falls is upstream from Second Falls. Our plan was to head back to the vehicles to munch, then head to Upper Falls. The parking lot was overflowing by now, so we skipped it and headed down to Skinny Dip Falls.
On another trip I did make it to Upper Falls. To get there, cross the creek above Second Falls and take the path to the left. It follows Yellowstone Creek for about 1.5 miles to the falls. The other 2 falls are nicer than Upper Falls, but now I can say that I've been.
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