Devil’s Millhopper

Back in the day the Devil’s Millhopper was a big sink outside of Hogtown (Gainesville.)  The sink is so deep the climate mimics that of Appalachia when you get to the bottom.  During the summer rains little rivulets  find their way into the depths of the sink, creating waterfalls along the way.  There were no stairs in those days and as kids we would scamper down the sides of the sink, holding on to tree roots and rocks when the way got steep.  On a hot summer day we’d get covered in sticky sweat as we made our way to the bottom.  A stop at a favorite waterfall halfway down would refresh and renew us.

 

A day at the Millhopper was rivaled only by a float down the Ichetucknee.

 

These photos were taken in late February.  If you go to the Devil’s Millhopper, try to see it in the summer when it’s lush and green.  Since I was a young girl they’ve turned it into a state park and built stairs to help you down to the bottom. 210 steps to the bottom have attracted many an exercise enthusiast.

 

How the Devil's Millhopper got its name

 

Greg at the Devil's Millhopper visitor center

 

 

 

 

 

Here we go...

 

descending into the Millhopper

 

more stairs

 

 

I wasn't kidding!

Basht makes it to the bottom (the red dot at the end there)

The bottom of the sink is often much wetter than this

 

I remember folks exploring a cave down here at the bottom. It appears to be filled in now.

 

Basht headed back up