Hidden Waterfalls in Gordon Town, St Andrew (Lion Falls)

 

Un-official Lion Falls

Tucked away between steep, narrow stratified rocks, non-uniformed resistance to erosion is a perfect stream, racing down in a series of entrancing cascades. I first saw photos on Kyle instagram page back in 2020. As you know from reading previous blogs such as Fish Dunn's and St. Peter's Waterfall that Kyle is a very good associate of mine, he is like my personal google maps lol yes that's how well he knows the off beaten path. This is mainly so because of the kind of business that he is in. He owns a motorcycle tours and rentals company that offers off the beaten path adventures. All my off-road motorbike riders, outside of Jamaica, Kyle is definitely the guy you should link to when you visit Jamaica! He is an amazing person, trust me. Even though we've never met in person he is always so helpful when I need info on any waterfalls. However when I enquired about this specific waterfall, he said that it was in a canyon and can't be accessed unless you rappel down steam. I was heartbroken.

 View from the top

Kyle rappelling down

  

 

 Fast-forward to last month when I went Prettyclose to spend the day with the magnificent Orchid Falls from the looks of the landform I figured there were more waterfalls above it. Ramo confirmed that 2 more waterfalls were indeed above it but sadly he said it was almost impossible to get to them. I checked out the place and saw where I could walk to go above Orchid, which I did. I crawled up and checked the area on my first visit. I knew then and there that I would be back soon. Today March 23, 2022 exactly one month later I was back at Prettyclose. I made plans with the owner to see the waterfalls above Orchid Falls last night lol. The sun was big and bright and the weather was sweet indeed according to Bob Marly. The 10 minutes hike to Orchid Falls was short (meaning: It took that much time the first visit but this time around it took about half the time.)

Orchid Falls

We crawled up the steep hillside over orchid falls holding onto the small roots of the trees running down the hill side. Being extra careful because this is not something anyone in their right mind would do simply because the soil is very loose. One slip and you'll end up falling off the cliff, but in no time we were on top of Orchid falls. We climbed down a huge rock and just like that we were back in the river bed and at the second waterfall. It was a bit shorter than Orchid falls but just as magnificent. By this time we were completely surrounded by huge boulders. There was no way we were going any further I thought to myself, I was now feeling all sort of disappointment SMH...

I took some photos and then we started making our way back down the river. BOOM I came up with an idea but Ramo did not walk with his cutlass. I suggested that we go back for it and chop down a tree to use as a ladder. He was hesitant but I insisted and he agreed, we spotted the perfect tree to cut down. In no time we went back and got the cutlass and was back in the river bed cutting down the tree. The tree was acting stubborn but Ramo had this in 5 minutes it stopped putting up resistance and was lying on the ground. Then blups here comes the adrenaline rush, oops man down I shouted! We both carried the log, Ramo managed to push it up a boulder while I climbed up the boulder and held it until he came up and positioned it at the cascade we stopped at our first attempt. We took turns climbing up the log and in no time we were knocking on the heavens door and Mr. Tall and handsome  greeted us. 

Lion Falls

The waterfall was like the sky on a crisp winter's morning, majestic and graceful. The milky-white, heavenly waters  bounced off the rocks with grace, flows calmly to the edge of the cascade below, then drops aggressively forming a natural jacuzzi. Ramo seemed just as excited as I was, his face lit up like a child on Christmas. He bursted out this is Lion Falls cause yuh haffi brave fi come yah suh! (You have to be brave to attempt to see these waterfalls.) Bear in mind that these small streams are nameless hence the waterfalls have no names so the locals will call them anything. I was in for a surprise because this was the same waterfall I was told that I had to rappel down stream to see. My heart was filled. I was overjoyed I was in my inhabitant. I tried to get some great photos and videos, while enjoying the naturally icy cool water. Then suddenly rocks started falling from both sides of the cliffs above us. I didn't get to enjoy the waterfall as I would've liked because it was time to leave. Falling rocks are dangerous.

Looking up from the ground

I felt accomplished and happy, I got to see something I thought I'd never see. I have a very good feeling I'll be seeing Mr. Ramo again very soon. He is very pleasant plus he has an adventurous spirit, something I didn't see when we first met. He told me stories of him always wanting to visit the falls as a boy but he was told that mermaids lived there, so I declared that I was a mermaid lol. I shared my stories as well. I told him about the river in my backyard in the country where I grew up. I explored the beginning of that river to the point where it empties into the Rio Minho. Sadly, there are no waterfalls but it has huge, deep swimming holes. Perfect for diving and jumping off big stones. 

Ramo climbed down the log first because I had an idea, I wanted him to get some photos of me on top of the cascade. Sadly the photos didn’t come out how I imagined they would. Well maybe on my next visit I’ll try again. Now this might look and sound easy but it is extremely dangerous cause if di log did eva shift, ah dirt! (I could’ve fell, hit my head and probably died) Thank God none of us got hurt. Another great adventure down and all I got a few bruises under my feet, as a result from walking bare-feet. Catch me on the go by hitting the follow button on instagram Sugardrops2311 and subscribe to my YouTube channel Exploring With Tifaney Also support my journey via PayPal or email: tifaneygidarisingh@gmail.com for other payment methods.

Until next time walk good and enjoy my video on  Lion Falls (Hidden Gem)