Perkins Designs
Located near Crab Orchard, Tennessee, Black Mountain connects with the Cumberland Trail and provides hikers with both scenic overlooks, as well as a geologic wonderland of massive boulders and cliffs. This shot was taken facing east, with the Smoky Mountains visible in the distance, as well as the nuclear power plant in Oak Ridge (shown on right). Prints available. Thanks for stopping by!
This summertime photograph features a scenic overlook at the Savage Gulf State Natural Area in Tennessee. Prints available.
Earlier Post: Laurel-Snow Trail To Laurel Falls
This was my second visit to the park, and I’ll definitely be returning – there’s simply so much to see! My intent was to visit Snow Falls, a ten mile hike. However, soon after I began – at the first wooden bridge with a small creek – I opted to ascend the boulder-strewn mountainside, where to my delight I encountered a series of scenic waterfalls, as well as an old mine opening towards the top. This was difficult terrain but well worth the effort, though it added 2 hours to my hike…
Beyond an aluminum bridge at the 1.5 mile split, I headed left in accordance with the Snow Falls marker. Following another turnoff (stay right, as left leads to a campsite), I came upon a second creek crossing – an older metal bridge consisting of 3 fifty-foot connecting sections. Then, further along the trail, there’s an area which was poorly marked: rather than continue on the white blaze, hikers should make a short detour, following instead the orange ribbons posted on trees. This sidestep reconnects with the trail, which is clearly marked thereafter.
Missing this turn may cause hikers to spend the next twenty minutes scrambling up a steep mountain covered with slippery leaves. D’oh!
Thankfully, I found the trail again and continued on towards Buzzard Point…
While enjoying a great view to the east from Buzzard Point, I spotted several of these ugly birds effortlessly floating on thermal updrafts – 2 of which dive bombed me. Heads up!
After a brief rest to enjoy a peanut butter sandwich, I backtracked along the ridge on an old logging road which, at its terminus (a cable delineating property lines), has an unmarked trail into the forest at left. Thereafter, coming upon a fork in the path, I stayed left towards Morgan Creek (right leads to another campsite). To get to Snow Falls, one must cross the creek in order to rejoin the trail. However, the water was high, swift and cold…I waded in halfway to my knees, though could see I’d need to commit to crossing a depth over-knee deep (along a slippery, mostly flat rock surface under water), and bailed. Another time!
In summary, this was a very enjoyable hike of approximately 12 miles, though a rather long day. On the trail beginning at 9:45 a.m., I returned to my vehicle at 6:00 p.m., exhausted. Along the way, I shot a few more photographs of Richland Creek…
Prints
Checkout my gallery at Pixels for a variety of fine prints. Perfect for your home or office, select between framed, canvas, art, metal, wood & acrylic. Other items are available, also.
Thanks for stopping by!
I shot this photograph while hiking at the Savage Gulf State Natural Area, near Beersheba, Tennessee. This was the third scenic overlook located along the trail to the Stone Door.
This glass of water was photographed in a restaurant located on top of a mountain – what a view! You, too, may enjoy this view – in your home or office – on a print from my gallery at Pixels.
Check it out…
Hiking at the Twin Arches in the Big South Fork National Park, located in Tennessee, I climbed to the top for a wide open view.
See more in my gallery at Pixels…
Known for its many parks, few in Ann Arbor yield more impressive views than here, at Nichols Arboretum. Especially in autumn. Visible in the distance are buildings located on the north campus of the University of Michigan. If interested, stop by my gallery at Fine Art America for a variety of decorative print options.
