The "Smoky Mountains" are a great escape offering you nearly ANYTHING you can ask for.
From a giant Ferris Wheel in Pigeon Forge.
...to beautiful scenery.
...and Waterfalls!
One of the many options you will have are Waterfalls!
Not only Waterfalls, but the challenge of hiking to them and experiencing their beauty. Nothing is more rewarding than pushing yourself with the challenge of a long hike. Especially when the reward is one of nature in all of it's beauty.
The following is a pictorial of my hike to
'Abrams Falls' in the "Great Smoky Mountains National Park".
Let's begin shall we?
We begin our journey driving to our hiking location. This was just one of the "breathtaking" views we see on our way.
The Hike is a 5 mile round trip. Expect to be on the trails up to 4 hours.
TRUST ME, once you get there you will want to rest for the hike back.
I can't stress enough to give yourself breaks when YOU feel like you need it.
This is just 1 of 3 bridges you will cross.
YES, this is a bridge and probably the lowest one.
Cross with caution and do not take the handrail for granted if you need it.
The height of each bridge varies, as do the rapids underneath each one.
As you travel up the side of the mountain you will go up, down, up, down, and up and down.
Stop periodically to rest, drink water, and take in the sights. Watch out for bears! There are bears in the area, and it is a good idea to know what to do in the event you encounter one up close.
More Scenery.
This is right on the Mountains edge.
I was making my hiking partner nervous by walking along the edge of the mountain. I found it fun and exciting, then again... I may have been dehydrated.
What you see is the river that runs to 'Abrams Falls'.
The trails are made of various terrain.
Some is rocks jutting out of the ground, some smooth,
some with roots sticking out of the ground. It can be pleasant or dangerous.
Use caution.
I nearly rolled my ankle 5 different times.
After walking for nearly an hour you get complacent. Be vigilante.
The colors and variances in the scenery are beautiful.
Here is one of MANY lizards that I encountered on our vacation.
I had to engage stealth mode and flank this fella to capture this picture.
Honestly, it didn't appear to be too spooked by my presence.
After much research (google, haha) I could not nail down what type of Lizard this is, other than a "LIZARD", according to the Nation park website.
The next one I would see, would be the same day, at our cabin. Pretty neat, never the less.
Another wonder of nature, The Millipede.
This was the second one I had encountered this day.
(I have a fascination with numbers and statistics, so brace yourself.)
The first was at a stream we stopped at to photograph.
There it lay on its back, being still.
Hindsight being 20/20, maybe it was playing dead?
Not to allow him to suffer, I flipped him over, and he just laid there.
Playing dead?
This guy, I left alone and allowed him passage to wherever his destination may be.
Before you cross your last tiny bridge, you are greeted by this sign.
Take this very serious, regardless of how strong of a swimmer you are, the water can be deceiving.
It is beautiful, but the under town and currents are VERY deadly.
Four may not seem like a big number, but when life is lost even 1 is too large of a number.
After 2.5 miles of hiking, stopping, watching for bears, and walking on the mountains edge, this is your prize. You are greeted by the sounds of rushing water. the smell of a nice cool misty breeze. It is very rewarding, kind of like sanctuary at the end of a hard traveled road.
My hiking partner took a snapshot of me filming the Waterfall with my GoPro. The tree lodged in the falls was rather large. My curiosity took me to take dangerous steps to film the falls closer. My primary fear was that the tree would come dislodged and crush me. As you can see, it did not. I don't have a ghost writer to write my tales posthumous.
It was tricky to get too close without drenching your camera.
Bring a camera with good zoom, a 300mm lens, or with waterproofing.
The GoPro I used was waterproof, and got some fantastic footage of the waterfall from inside.
I also tied my shoe laces to the camera and lowered it into the murky water below the falls.
The results were less than stellar however.
You truly feel small standing in natures beautiful fury.
The sky on this day was so blue, the sky was very clear, and everything seemed to sing with contrast. I compared the venture to that of a "Religious Experience". Upon returning my creative energies were reignited, and haven't stopped.
Before we leave I stop to take one last picture, and begin my 2.5 mile hike back.
We rested about 45 minutes literally 10 feet from the waterfall.
We were the only people that close to the waterfall, and probably for good reason.
I did take a picture of another couple who ventured up to our location.
If you're reading this is was on 9-3-2014 and I would love to see the picture I took.
(They were wise and had a Waterproof Kodak Camera)
Some tips for anyone thinking about taking this hike, or any other hike.
TAKE WATER:
You will be sick and dehydrated if you do NOT take water with out. It is a "Moderate" hike, with rough terrain, and depending on the time of day, it can be hot. Most of the trail is in the shade, but not all of it is. About 1/2 mile of it is directly in the sun if you are hiking around noon to 4. Do NOT, drink energy drinks. They will dehydrate you and the energy provided by them is superficial. It will benefit you NOT to drink them before, or after. TRY COFFEE, if you're tired after.
TAKE FOOD:
I'm not talking about a full meal, but some energy to get there and back. EAT LIGHT. If you eat too much you're going to be sick from the exertion. Something with protein and packed with energy will be good. A "Trail mix" (no pun intended) would be sufficient enough.
BE PREPARED
Watch out for bears, Hornets, and other nasty nature nellies.
The Bears are not known to even approach humans, but it is best to know what to do in the event that you do encounter a bear.
WHAT TO DO. If you're leery of them, bring some bear mace, no guns are allowed. ALSO, do NOT leave your food garbage laying around. They will attract the bears, and if they hurt a human due to human negligence they have to be put down. It is unfortunate, but human error has cost the lives of bears before.
FOOTWEAR
Wear shows that have a sturdy bottom and are made for hiking. Be sure that you are comfortable in your shoes, and they are made for the hike. Stop frequently if you find yourself getting sore, tired, winded, or feeling strange. If this level of activity is foreign to you then exercise this advise. It will benefit you in the end.
HAVE FUN
Some information about Abrams Falls.
| Trail Features: | | Waterfalls |  | |
| Trail Location: | | Cades Cove | |
| Roundtrip Length: | | 5.0 Miles | |
| Total Elevation Gain: | | 340 Feet | |
| Avg. Elev Gain / Mile: | | 136 Feet | |
| Highest Elevation: | | 1710 Feet | |
| Trail Difficulty Rating: | | 5.68 (moderate) | |
| Parking Lot Latitude | | 35.59077 | |
| Parking Lot Longitude | | - 83.85293 | |
|
