This picturesque photograph features Big Laurel Creek, a cascading waterway which I enjoyed hiking along en route to Virgin Falls. I’ve added it to my gallery at Pixels, where visitors can find a variety of prints – great for the home, office, lobby or cafeteria setting. Thanks for stopping by!
Located on the Cumberland Plateau in the Colditz Cove State Natural Area, is one of Tennessee’s most stunning waterfalls – Northrup Falls.
It’s an easy hike into the gorge along Big Branch Creek, where visitors pass towering rock cliffs leading to the 65-foot waterfall with turquoise plunge pool. The trail meanders through an old-growth forest of large hemlocks and white pines, some of which are over 200 years old, before splitting left or right along the top edge of the gorge. There, the trail becomes a loop and either direction leads to the base of (and behind) the falls. However, traveling left provides an earlier view of several interesting geological sights.
Note: shallow, open cave-like structures – a.k.a., “rock houses” – line the creek gorge. These shelters were used by cliff-dwelling Woodland Indians over 3,000 years ago.
Recent Photographs
This was my second time visiting Northrup Falls, and I did so during a period of a few hours, between (several days of) rain and an oncoming thunderstorm. Hence, everything was wet – muddy trail, slippery rocks – with complete cloud cover. Nevertheless, beautiful scenery!
My First Visit
I first visited Northrup Falls last summer during the month of July, when I enjoyed warm weather, vibrant colors of nature and dry conditions. Here are a few photographs from that hike…
Prints
You can enjoy these beautiful scenes of the great outdoors year-round with the purchase of a print from my shop at Pixels. Select among these options: framed, canvas, art, metal, wood and/or acrylic. And, framed prints may also be customized to suit your wishes (size, frame, mat, paper and finish). Whether as home decor, at the office, in a lobby or cafeteria setting, waterfalls serve as an appealing, refreshing addition to your living spaces. Enjoy!
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Water drips from rocky ledges along the trail to Ozone Falls, located on the Cumberland Plateau in Tennessee, dampening moss and leaves. Guests may visit my gallery to see prints and more.
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Wow! I’ve hiked many areas in the state, but so far none can compare to the plethora of waterfalls as found along the Laurel-Snow Trail To Laurel Falls, located near Dayton, TN.
From the moment I stepped out my vehicle and on to the trail, the sound of running water was loud, present throughout my hike. Though alltrails.com lists the hike at 6.1 miles out and back, a placard at the trailhead cites the total distance as 5 miles. Whatever the case, I definitely added another mile or two exploring off trail – there were photography opportunities around every corner!
The road into the park is filled (no pun intended) with potholes – it’s somewhat of an obstacles course. Thus, drive slowly with caution around sharp turns near steep hills.
Richland Creek was full, with a wonderful blue-green coloration in deeper pools and dozens of small-to-medium size waterfalls visible from the trail. Other water sources – including Paine Creek – were flowing with waterfalls to enjoy while hiking. Also, huge boulders – some 30 feet tall – periodically peppered the waterside.
The trail, formerly a railroad bed of The Dayton Coal & Iron Company, Limited, was mostly hard-pack dirt and flat, though muddy in areas. Though the trail splits (a white blaze leads left along the creek, and, orange ribbons around trees mark a route into the forest, leading to the right), both trails soon reconnect before reaching a new, aluminum bridge. Thereafter, the trail becomes quite rocky, and signs are posted for Snow Falls (left) and the 80-foot Laurel Falls (right).
Photographs
Prints
If you’d be interested in a print for your home, office, or in the lobby or cafeteria of your business, academic facility or hospital, then please visit my shop at Pixels. Thanks!
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See Also: Laurel-Snow Trail To Buzzard Point
This photograph features Cane Creek. I was en route to Piney Falls – located at Fall Creek Falls State Park – when I saw a pullover area and couldn’t resist taking a closer look. You, too, can enjoy this scenic image on a print in your home or office – visit my shop at Pixels for more.
Located at the Lost Creek State Natural Area in Tennessee, Lost Creek Cave is one of Tennessee’s largest caves, with five separate entrances and seven miles of mapped passages! This high-contrast, gritty black and white photograph of the cave entrance is available on various prints to suit your interests. Visit my shop to see more.
Close-up photography in black and white of Black Mountain, as seen along the Cumberland Trail near Crab Orchard, Tennessee. See more.
Looking out on a barren desert from inside the fossilized jaw of a prehistoric beast. View from the edge of an unusual cave with glowing orange object in water. Desert landscape with reflective three dimensional fractal design duplicated and flipped on vertical axis.
Whatever scenario you choose to envision, I hope that you’ll enjoy my digital artwork! Visit these galleries for more – Redbubble, Society 6 and/or Pixels.
Close-up photograph of stream water running across a smooth rock. If you’d be interested in a print for your home or office, check out my gallery at Pixels. Available print types include framed, canvas, art, metal, acrylic and wood.
Featuring a column of mist, this photograph of Cumberland Falls in Kentucky was shot downstream using a zoom lens. See more.
I recently hiked House Mountain, the tallest point in Knox County, Tennessee, located near Corryton. With an elevation of 2,110 feet above sea level, hikers may ascend 1,000 feet from the surrounding valley on either the blue (Mountain) or white (West Overlook) trail.
Photographs
Prints
Visit my shop at Pixels for a great selection of home decor prints featuring these scenic photographs!
This photograph of rock structures was taken along the trail in the Boulder Fields of Obed Wild And Scenic River, in Tennessee. See more.
This black and white photograph was taken in the Boulder Fields at the Obed Wild And Scenic River in Tennessee. See more at Pixels.
I recently visited Benton Falls in the Chilhowee Recreation Area of the Cherokee National Forest, located in the Southern Appalachian Mountains of southeastern Tennessee.
Note: If traveling on 1-75, I’d recommend access to the falls via US Highway 64, rather than Benton Springs Road – which is a shorter distance, though better suited for four-wheel drive vehicles, or mules.
From US Highway 64, driving seven miles north on Oswald Road affords visitors the opportunity to enjoy several separate scenic overlooks:
The Park
There’s a $3 admission to the park, payable at various posted areas; seal your money in the provided envelope, remove the adjoining stub to hang from your vehicle-mirror, and deposit funds in the designated repository.
The 1.5 mile trail to Benton Falls is an easy hike through the forest along a generally flat surface of mostly hard-packed sand, and passes by McCamy Lake:
Benton Falls
The two photographs below appear similar. However, the first example uses burst shooting, stacking 20 photographs onto one another, while the second image is a single shot with a longer exposure. This difference affects how the water is presented:
Prints
Enjoy my photography on a print in your home, at the office, in a lobby or cafeteria setting. Many print types are available – framed, canvas, art, metal, wood and acrylic. Other items, also. Visit my gallery for more. Thanks!
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I recently visited Emory Gap Falls, a 20′ waterfall located at Frozen Head State Park near Wartburg, Tennessee, enjoying a pleasant autumn afternoon along my three-mile (roundtrip) hike. The trail also passed by a waterfall known as Debord Falls – more on that another time.
The trailhead is located at the end of the park, where the road stops at a parking area. It’s a half-mile hike to Debord Falls, and another one-mile until you’ll reach Emory Gap Falls. Initially, the trail is wide with good footing and limited changes in elevation. Follow the signs, and don’t cross the bridge –
The trail follows two streams – Panther Branch & Emory Gap Branch. At one point, it changes direction, leading up hill and away from the water. While this seems counter intuitive, hikers should follow the signs to stay on track –
Here are a few images which I photographed while hiking along the trail –
The trail eventually rejoined the stream, sounds of which grew louder as I approached the waterfall. As seen below, my first views of Emory Gap Falls –
Emory Gap Falls
Prints
Visit my gallery to discover a variety of fine prints featuring photographs of Frozen Head State Park. Perfect for home, the office, a lobby or cafeteria. And, great as a gift!
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Located in the Obed Wild And Scenic River National Park, Tennessee, Barnett Bridge spans the scenic Clear Creek.
Observing a sign while driving along TN-298 S, I followed a narrow road down a long hill with several steep switchback turns. At the base was parking, restrooms and an old stairway leading toward the water. So, I began to hike along a leaf-covered trail parallel to the river.
After approx. 1/2 mile, I came to a clearing with some wonderful views of a rock-strewn waterway, featuring autumn colors reflecting across the river:
Prints
Many prints available – framed, canvas, art, metal, wood and acrylic. May be customized to suit your tastes. Add to your home decor, refresh your office space, or consider giving a print as a gift to family and/or friends!
Here’s a photograph of The Sinks, a waterfall located in Tennessee’s Smoky Mountains near Townsend, along the Little River. See more.
History
Photograph (above, modified) & information (below) from placard located on site.
After the Civil War, saw and grist mills emerged in Tennessee’s Morgan and Cumberland counties. Corn meal, flour, logs, and other goods from the early lumber and pulp industries were shipped along this bridge.
The Cincinnati Southern Railway was built across the Cumberland Plateau here at Nemo in the 1870s. It became part of the Southern Railway system in the late 1890s. Many small extensions like the Catoosa Railroad were built to tap timber, coal, and other natural resources.
The epic flood of 1929 destroyed the means by which workers made a living, ripping up railway lines and washing away virtually every mill and building in its path – just as America sank into the Great Depression.
The Hike
I recently visited Wartburg, Tennessee, where I enjoyed a 5 mile (roundtrip) hike along the Nemo Bridge Trail to Alley Ford. Located in the Obed Wild And Scenic River National Park, the trailhead begins at the Rock Creek Campground and continues 14.2 miles to the distant Devils Breakfast Table.
The hike to Alley Ford is rated as moderately difficult with several changes in elevation. There is also a very rocky downhill section of the trail near the end which requires deliberate footing. It was a cold 30-degrees when I began the hike, along which I encountered layers of rain-soaked leaves, creating slippery conditions and, periodically, effectively camouflaging the trail.
Along the way I enjoyed seeing many different sandstone cliffs, colorful autumn foliage, a large group of wild turkeys, and, at the end, the Obed River. Due to recent rains, though, many of the river-rocks otherwise visible at Alley Ford were covered in water.
Photographs
Prints
Visit my online shop to discover quality prints for your home and/or office!
Earlier Post: see also – Spruce Flats Falls
Following recent rains in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, I returned to Spruce Flats Falls for a two-mile (roundtrip) autumn hike. The trails were quite slippery, as were rocks around the waterfall, even more so with rain-soaked fallen leaves.
I arrived approx. 25 minutes in advance of an elementary school field trip, who immediately shattered the silence of an otherwise serene setting. But, I was able to capture several nice photographs of the area beforehand!
Photographs
Prints
A variety of quality prints for your home & office are available in my gallery.
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