Dog Fork Falls in Winter

Snow, flowing water, and long icicles surround Dog Fork Falls during the final weeks of winter in the Clifty Wilderness.

Clifty Wilderness, Red River Gorge, Kentucky · Late-winter thaw · Square composition

Dog Fork Falls surrounded by long icicles, snow-covered sandstone, flowing water, and rhododendron in winter.

The story behind the photograph

On February 22, 2025, Ryan led friends to Dog Fork Falls after the last snow of the season. He photographed the waterfall from a position directly south of it on the Dog Fork tributary leading into Swift Camp Creek. While exploring the remote area, the group followed the nearest ridge before descending to the falls and tributary. Temperatures were near freezing, approximately 35 to 40 degrees, but the approach was not exceptionally difficult. The memorable part was sharing a remote off-trail winter waterfall with friends as snow, long icicles, and flowing water marked the transition toward spring.

Photographed: February 22, 2025
Location: Clifty Wilderness, Red River Gorge, Kentucky