Currently viewing the category: "Great Smoky Mountains National Park"

Indian Flats Falls

Indian Flats Falls (Great Smoky Mountain National Park)

On one of my recent adventures, I made it to Indian Flats Falls.  However, the story doesn’t start there… Several years ago, my dad and brothers had a great idea to take a hike in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on the Benton Mackaye Trail.  We would start on the eastern end of the park and traverse to the western end of the park and a little bit beyond.  That trip netted me a beautiful sunrise atop Mount Sterling.  Unfortunately, there was an injury that prevented us Click here for the rest of the story…

Mt. Sterling (Great Smoky Mountains National Park)

Today’s Photo: Mt. Sterling (Great Smoky Mountains National Park)

This shot is from the top of the fire tower on Mount Sterling in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park looking east over North Carolina.  The day before this, I hiked just over 6 miles and gained over 4000 feet of elevation in that time, carrying all my camera gear and camping gear.  What a climb, but well worth it for views and a sunrise like this.  I almost did not get out of the hammock, as it was so cozy.  Fortunately I did.

Three Years

Yay, it’s been three years.  Hard to believe, but we made it.  Not too many missed days, many miles and adventures later it has definitely been fun.  Sometimes it has been taxing on resources, mainly sleep, to make sure these make it out there.  I would not trade the experiences I have had for anything.  Truly capturing memories for a lifetime.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The next few months will really stretch my abilities to juggle.  Some of my family and I have decided to make a trek through the Great Smoky Mountains via the Appalachian trail.  Not only am I having to train for 70 plus miles in 10 days, I have to make sure everything is in working order.  Can’t miss the opportunity to enjoy the time and capture some more memories.

Laurel Falls (the top)

Today’s Photo: Laurel Falls (the top)

I think this was one of the easiest hikes that I have ever done.  The entire trail is paved from the road to the falls.  The only difficulty that a disabled person may have is at the falls themselves.  There is a small foot bridge across the middle of the falls and a small step down.  Other than that, an easy path to walk or take a wheel chair.  Although I think having a paved path in the forest takes a little away from it, it is more than made up in the fact that wonders such as this can be visited by those less mobile.

Great Smoky Mountains

Today’s Photo: Great Smoky Mountains

Driving through Cades Cove, there is no shortage of stunning vistas.  This was one looking back into the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains.  The ridge line in the distance is where the Appalachian Trail traverses the park.

The Sinks

Today’s Photo: The Sinks

Having a large portion of my family come from East Tennessee, it is not unusual for us to make trips though the Great Smoky Mountains.  One of the places my Dad talks of growing up is the Little River and the Sinks.  It happens to be a great place to stop when driving through the mountains, but be careful as it is extremely dangerous.

The Mountains

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Today’s Photo: The Mountains

On the walk to Laural Falls in the Great Smoky Mountains, there are a couple areas where you get a good view of the mountains.  This was one of those spots.  The ridge that Laurel Falls is located on is the north edge of the park and this is looking south.  The top of the mountains in the distance is about halfway across the park.  Just beyond that mountain is the ridge that the Appalachian Trail traverses.

Cascade in the Smokies

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Today’s Photo: Cascade in the Smokies

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park has no shortage of stunning landscape.  For a photographer, it is almost imposible to make any progress through the park because of stopping to take photos.  In the Townsend / Cades Cove area, there is the Little River and Laurel Creek, both which follow roads and offer nearly constant cascades and waterfalls.  This is another shot of Laurel Creek.  The wall on the left is the retaining wall for the road.

Meadows Branch Cascade

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Today’s Photo: Meadows Branch Cascade

This was a shot that I almost did not stop for.  I saw the small cascade coming into Laurel Creek as we were driving.  It was not until I got to the Tunnel in the Smokies, did I decide to go back for this shot.  It is not a long walk back toward Townsend along the road and well worth it.  I had to rein myself in during our trip.  There are so many small waterfalls and cascades like this along nearly every road in the Great Smoky Mountains.

A Fence in the Cove

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Today’s Photo: A Fence in the Cove

I love to visit Cades Cove.  It is like a step back into the frontier times for this country.  However, with such a popular place near so much populace, it can get mighty crowded.  I took advantage of one of the traffic stops to get this shot of the mountains.  It is not often you get to see a large valley like this in the Appalachin Mountains.

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