About Upper Cataract Falls
Upper Cataract Falls was one of two waterfalls on Mill Creek in the Cataract Falls State Recreation Area (apparently it used to be part of the Lieber State Recreation Area) west of Indianapolis. This seemed to be the only significant year-round waterfall in the state of Indiana, and it was also said to be the largest waterfall by volume in the state. There was another waterfall further downstream though it wasn’t as easily accessible by foot from the Upper Falls. It seemed like the Upper Falls was the bigger of the two waterfalls at a reported total drop of 20ft though if you include the rapids and man-modified tiers further upstream, then we’ve seen claims of 45ft in total.
In a state that seemed to be dominated by flat cornfields, the fact that there was this waterfall at all seemed like a miracle in itself. A sign here chronicled the geologic process behind the formation of the waterfalls. It started with a layer of calcium-rich minerals (from sea life) settling on the ocean floor as this area was once covered by ocean. The calcium sediments would become limestone from the pressure of more layers accumulating atop the calcium sediments. Then, during the most recent Ice Age, vast glaciers (most likely the same ones responsible for the Great Lakes) blocked the flow of the drainage of what would eventually become Mill Creek, which resulted in sediments accumulating above the harder limestone layer. Then, as the glaciers retreated, the Mill Creek drainage resumed its flow ultimately cutting into the softer sediments, revealing the harder underlying limestone layers below, which the water would flow over to become the Upper and Lower Cataract Falls.
From the large car park practically next to the side rails adjacent to the Upper Cataract Falls (see directions below), we were able to enjoy profile views of the wide waterfall as well as its smaller upper tiers from a pair of overlooks. Upstream from the brink of the falls was an attractive covered bridge with picnic tables inside it. And on the north side of the car park was a picnic area as well as a playground, which our daughter very much enjoyed. While Julie and Tahia were busy chilling out around the car park of the Upper Falls, I found an informal trail of use that went into the bush alongside Mill Creek further downstream of the falls. After a fairly obvious trail descending steeply to the banks of Mill Creek at the bottom of the gorge, I was then able to scramble back upstream to get a more satisfyingly direct view of the Upper Cataract Falls as shown at the top of this page. Given the steepness of the gorge walls, it was not wise to try to take shortcuts to get to the bottom of the falls from the car park.
Even though we technically didn’t have to do the scramble to see the waterfall (which would’ve yielded a difficulty rating of 1), I thought that the experience would be more fulfilling getting that frontal view of the falls. So my overall excursion, which included the scramble to the base of the falls and back took me about 40 minutes (more fitting of a difficulty of 2). Julie and Tahia didn’t do it as that scramble was a bit on the rougher side though given the low flow of Mill Creek during our visit, I’m sure they could’ve done it with care if they wanted to.
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