Waterfalls > Work [Archive]

Prediction? Pain.

03-05-2018, 12:43 PM

After two solid days of rain on Wednesday and Thursday, we got pristine hiking weather on Friday -- no trace of clouds, a light but intermittent breeze, and a chilly morning that gave way to a high in the mid to low 50s. My office lost and it wasn't a contest.

Headed to the Rock Creek Gorge segment of the Cumberland Trail, which is around 30 minutes north of downtown Chattanooga. Mile for mile, it's got as many water features and overlooks as any other trail in the area. (It's also the trail where I took my avatar pic.)

One of a few bridges along the trail:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/iP9E7HTzr69M9NVig85Phi49hlnpZQWtmRfb2EZvicWPDAgSDD BquzaL6-3w9-KQ4hJiC64uDDwuKlRK18xBqpjL7TAxpTfgRfb1OysLqXiSiN-HYIvv7PGRLMLODuWXCU-zZUV-XmsY74FycUu-O3DfRemdDlrMt4-NMeWKIGT7a-qwRtrYL5OsRq2Fc3y-4ZzOO0vJ3sF6ZiVYNgXTqzcdCXeomSQvhnN_KT4piAd9H0XTTW 9tZv7WmGO4QX0y_Yam4jXiNgMiXdd61c11w0YMm88fNi_H-AlEmwBZct1JKqHJlYz5go3B3hA_InSGOfMDxzwbEZQfpIljHxW WAg4MQH4uDHlCTsTn8iVztIH4GO8Asj72R5xrpFWAAAwce1W6s HJSCGqUa9mOYyLgsn6orYlCePm7Kzs_JbUQGK6i6Xg7u0tG4hY tMnElmN4wfy8HlJ2dw9THPdG0uIaANNxjUD9MIaQEoOlwLMWA5 vVta4SF-2Pll0U4fsEnuFGN6CbfqJWhgX1FE3MSn2kQLXm2e61wHv8-tlovY5UrRqanqOO-K9cd2mkGHzI8vmtqF4VKi5C9Ns7FiT76RfGvnnoVyV9LQXOnB5 VjWuqNFe8iqkfl-8whztpHZGtmquSz_qo5ofWDLiAXu--zd2WhLy2lc0EkhO8unQ=w712-h949-no

What's above the bridge:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/LNTm8J5L_wFAog0EAtuNg-Zf83rgwmInvlTaZzEitgFSge_qvdvXEX5uqZ-XGxXodrVXwVtK7i4CVHTGLnUUq0ELhHlGPtlsMcEeDXXUtlzuj dC3FtLii0ZIGERQXs6BBPJ1QsWBLILnfr3hht4bkI0u3_SuQ84 FWdtUlL5Xg5WoZ-gYLv3G8hHRUTKmQfGRvti4Dz6sjvDl6812wyySR_syMUh2YYy2 GPZN1dGvLRHigIoreLiPRaCXkk0goS_RlfZLEetvc5JKYAtX8b MOk_1r5ywqSpIr4kyTFTqjE00Vfy29fNfxgWPx3rUMiOB5lO-CsT4VFSi-ENcyhtmbHou5pt9UORLRKwiSSoz1XmC9Pi561TpAgxT7lhCOhb mGw4qReDbP92oyHXKG2hfQ1rzsDNBl3vzoKy-lgRKwkdqRxTAHTKG02b5uptBmJEi4ldWkniXs117iqeXOMlsKs WjPPMtzdkGxBa7B2dAwRmmaTtDWzcnCjv3V0M-z9FJyyfO4vRicpY1FOW9O9QVfjF-a7muLTxfjTD4twH3DpT2PbaL0loAW6Kg43mEGqqVTtRXarrE9F NPKd1WmXMYkit0rKOJnB-XuBNTl4cYFokvP8hSHIDmdY04ixkOtoBZXZAA8SnK0yD-jdnh545uyPBKI7GSEuiZd0Q=w571-h949-no

What's below the bridge:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/VKcyV6ZqQXt0gQPRfjRQq682r2Mn2w9cHQaW008wbY8CjlFTOb 48k0oa720ttenm9khQoSipxWl_EvyTMxOKpFm4CEp6qik4f3cN aU0PHPU0PEZOxYVh5WYGOZt-zYTFCrCIwmgSl6Guxt6ldhyPLT7GyMWTrOt6XRn7hHNqj5Vuof GCA6Hfr8QYySPw8_wBGMch8039un8G960t6ONLMsuzp8jgt2_K 1Cy4OOrFIj66By-0aD-hiKO_S3nhkp2xNP6lt7L9kmH_OdBgjonfFN-aoT_790k08w0V_KNH3mjwunnPZ5Sg--5rqvDcQj-BrCFEkDHJ-4tIoP0bDRaZWeUHOuKxHGSXLXaZjhq9vXCfqDgYiVkduSk42v2 P3HI6kfGdw6Go7dP-J82JEJe5rBejhUpZYTQWuMzv9V9nk1ZghE-DKquiCX0YQEGaXA5-cejHqHi2zVraWwoFkMbcjy9qLJvFw1fMJ8j5FQfDrWNneWiLZu t1XA8EJYOAfjW4W1MlXCaJEvcOZOZHGASxuDgOLxf18TLZw1cq BdWSUxYIsEC_V5u5y9VspaBJLFVs1qfK1jRlAOEE8jtfUDGLcI RbIzN-P24ASsgWt02c5kp4sMMoXjLpNkLZGPERDnURIBNe39uUVGQrw5 C7vlFwsuvUdZKdwp_39w=w712-h949-no

What's below what's below the bridge, in video form:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_l_l5mW25Kc

Another couple of random waterfalls/cascades along the trail:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Mme_xipFye-8VwBQ1IhUgKSTgHvaOwzn1Ti_J0M5H6sOkEdI20aQWow4ChiU6 H6l1WAx1GjQ6GguYG2JnHpSIF0Mmfi9BeqgpDkQK6wQc3i7Z0o AcUnkHs-4aJG-TVENjI-zVzawNvB6yPT2SiXUxwqdsp6yFY5enIEKB8db86KZjE9Y3z9nD UyswuX9F8e1LCkJPYXOfF7lVuX92QMkJAOVNGBeGs895pOISNV qhZ7WRzUR6gBSw-tbqw-bVd_9bZjwMtE-u1ke5gogbf8d14J5SZ02QOCtcKrJO3wzgocyBE3OKLsF00v8fk AUPLThdFvxVhfrrZKV-Fq62vxst8exrgsnG1tB-EXFR2SzWEGIxKSWBWHqDRoTx4d9DN09f5SOcVmH5BoEpqCaLYA auwzrhlWaN65AcXMX-D1Stdni3WZDPpvkZ9n_j_x0zmJEPUjZhjG7W9u2AOWNuE9JWt2 LWC0-yFFoYTrUltg-L5NrcAI6pQ2Trr1OFrq52ciJ37LzUr_y6F4B08OwT1UKl2pxEc ibP1KNqzYtzKge_UYeUnLg8NJ-lJY6F-BKvmAP5q9xi-np3kjfjwrR8EEGv9B7zUpqVSq_jph2Dd6-4RiDtvpNmd8V0y2SR4fs3CgR8DoP2scJqxGXlig1INBuL0IxCG hoGylzBA=w712-h949-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Pyr32neTzsgrgnpDmStap1rPaSGsNW1gWkByK8vmdukpZxkhkj LY1p3URbOldkX-scpiC_p2QDRGxlF6t005SVUy7qJRamBlGSvl-fhPmVXEYKYwFDdrHojb_k0oAwf5Kb2VB3YqkK-afcHtE62BobxLzIYYTB196zNa8TKKmb6p30hs85iiN-oFAp5yTc7yo2YbqJy0ytaIDc5PIG2NhbYUnGG5oT9EiArGuqdE H62bM0kSkYEWdXBnTJRkpnwTKQbAP3lkuI_Yy813Tp2RokkNcT rd6smXBWccidJDwhkNqxiCzvQDLY_3lkS13c14Qd9PAPHPIYKZ UYAk8JwjpMiCOHNmL43S1j_5Q-_cdhBS8P3Z6wS4dWk1kzSMl2kK2fF5Mhe6_P8Y0Oeg6YwHFO3l uqbx2cndgj3GrrgTtKKmQ89uhVn7v_cjliieM5eZaBRdOgo1bc mu0WVQrkfEOzo68DZtVVL7Z11U2D_S2bVaSIm7RdXsoXYtE-l5LA7bFusuaen0qTw_VWMTbe9QxtidBCtZZddJ6KD2zcvAu3J5 Fy6vnanO8S2gdx_9h-t8vq5aIWhxevEWEwNpb7lC3mQeMqun4TltFf7gTJCJLvBNWctk r5K_h07oD-r4uIOVLXsFnaAe5WidtTMvWXSxI1rfIbMIlJpcug=w712-h949-no

A little overlook off to the side of the trail, looking north up the gorge:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/FM6HQFtjgcVPfV4JlXChpIwaxbyZ-0tewvWNHanttNOaSkGg_Bz-2mg3mFNMXS7Ldh4t0ToNvs4ymtgXdCgW_6fK66UFscvOSYrqgq eJawhpz4CsywrflQ6gqu-yu9mG2FRUdS3SmileZeDHmhpzlZtWReYwJxLLwbyDCKIAHrxCL d7X24s3FcBNzw7nc7frl9Ob7-nxRBWZQef5a2_bPniBNUZbAIQ8jcmwMv_EACLj6ys0ItOlPD-ARJW1x0HLhqAyVEIF1eooEtAOXC3Zzw54ogr5uXX6GZ6MQPGjf fH3EMCZ-xkPWoPlyXgrTsNjKjL6WRH_kQAMpEMAV_30qJeTduuKIYHFcE6 XcdLvI5dn0MFhUKmMSRYNK807E8vOpQlYQMzYAj-BwiONnQHRf0hnG8o7plmIQM1wy7lujcdkqLDy4FwyLdx4rHedL 1daMBk9Sr9zkke2dbgtZltpqhZ7t5RFsG5XzV3EbYIdQVIGyTv gNlkyRcbcJoFAjmfEl8agHoJqdQnvJY5aU7uiZBasyr1DichtD mvYzq4_ZRjzQEPSkmBUjGLzB6ipWNi57vPnIWCKUuEdRCe_5s6 RRJcDt5WcUr6SAY4nV1Ws2JcTgSic92ufNJsVwZvjzy_9KrDwN TyQlXWgY3jrW2Hgjjkwce-B0OypcQ=w1266-h949-no

A nice rock formation as you descend into a thicket of hemlock, pine, and rhododendron at the main creek's banks:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/JPg3E7EnpZaEg0wx-rzSKi3tYAQkBB8CjxhlktMC6ByV4PnN0SREAo_lbnM-SvB3N6wrTsdpIHPEmLzvw2OQ6IdbExkwSBB-aTH_c5a1GBPFS6ZKmzqSzsOtNXhCR1Fpb7QCVUMyE4nyLdaIM4 3L4mxlXcVHcRzV5ARRl4EHt_-EaS1Re32T_AdoMGqJbxgbFf11VGueMGuLtw5lwW3uZGJcPHsHw CkSuELSGWmAvfEtWdSEXkcTVD8v1ejHMSOAUqzcTl_b46N3hxF K0dikWVjuJ6h_8xmKKjLFkj0Wkh82fzDnmQ2f_eQmYQkug2G_Y PQ-7Aaewy-dPGv0yov3zG3GP1JyOncFC_jSk8H1VliAYpZcHe4M0snbUAka4 Z4dEVGr_nQJ0fpderPt7gfVGMq73yUwoXojnPb6k_E0lGZPQVn Z5uJBSW4pT7z6c-xlWfDoYR5kYS48rH0AlXSOkt6ElBJ5Qy6aVVELhNE4pFQ6-UdpPTU9EOlnqJVSQPOJu0yvVrT_dWhPlpRlUeweAwWSEStUtQ7 I3UTcX7v_4kl1mO1sZsq5hx-l-UKz339myxD9-2Maswarq8pi92QLotLfW2eP9Ip2FueMdcJ_eHITMZVokURo37b eDQr_fd0qOg6-_hTOATLK78eZhcEySv6UzSdBVjWp2Q=w712-h949-no

Rock Creek itself:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ezI8nLktTaDPfvupMnR-nNiRk8GaOkFrufr-w6sZx0rpVjgr2uJmhRgEBYm_7Vgw2lEaNa6w41fZdrjSlHdOfq LZdm8ziRy5ifnVou3DwbT4JAA1epN7xmEUvXEcHHuBBKQrUWfA _6euvioXlWP4tXfUyjlYyBi0ILjY-1xbOIsSIC8ZyIpvS3A7n2I3lLOiZORdYFaatdFzqk2pdUWQtQv _yvdDmuQ-SHok8q0JM3iqPJLbL4ZqiLkw58MLouIoq6mbcFvWG1u8pgAmqo 8R_iR1rDdyEgsAj4DWDDumitFFCHGz2rWDIhRKS-keQFbsz9CI3BbwJDeTuSwZlg_RejxVPoBffhiMVCo1yE8_pm0M E-r5Xh3y3YtzspkQm01WJgIYLCniSDbEuJnh4encZ17sGGGaR8Ml tWGp-2DABTDBB9m-QWsbiGGzk5BuF8CavvuIYGwxSsLYg41juE8s_Hkm4w6ofbrArj-f2R6U4_mVX-DOIPES6-JY-yVMWX-vk6B-Vx--mcyapXtxxE4h8LEeqgNSP56HHaApc-dxUzGihTTVniBPYgIHxShnc8bOYkMKDhS634VMWf5OdEQOqM9S 9fJTpNcREP2nzwoe862oH348KG7nVKB2EnB7aDE9nn7MH3hJSc Bj953L7DH_tYj62OQPprhLVA=w712-h949-no

Leggett Branch Falls, from the bottom and the middle:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3s0wWtkG4RU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zhv64vtBkeI

And some camera fanciness, for good measure:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Ff6sAz34oAUZd9OklT4hMYxIAdf_RbwUMmB9DjozrCikzIT-ZP8IpInj8QwGpuEJduW-71iCW3y1W-JaCWRSnAls-vUFzyD1YOSBYfg8T7OyFvOSdseoimw4jzkUCg0H6E9h0MNPJbN O-a2EavPpbAzD3mxriGycrUNnQHy1Pa-UNP95n4IIMt08m4Q-SxXsmC8At6Hx1ImI1s7we5qxx01-IVhbFxFPSjNVwmSJtT8FMMlFOcypZvnJzhq166t8l44gjvc1-me7h4-0Hi17EQ1BaNYFBEBSAVKBCd7IySP3udKcAgN-_O4N74WLCszjj1Vt5lsCtFgIxthrrbTR8zqASUb3-PMeNre7qR1TdNe_4fV2y0xXIqIy_79f10YJZD37JOw4XnXgYZH aZO-Scsyvuks4HN3FNUffAvq6ve3iQIlgW0yQRBh2SyNhfufa5qQhP PBj71-odnsx_Q6N4hc_MVRYYOkgCae7djEMjhahIXPnq5kzQmRCxECS1 7DTuz3QRP_wapZeboEfxczm3lWCUSkd_uDXPwsm4uo55L1tG2z u2O60m3wXHVowXdT1FfzGfwOnGv4Ug7Opyu3TVj1gUfWMaql82 LN9E3L3rMyl8swp2HEqO3G0flU-TbZaRZfx0Jk2Y6UfHYU2A1SoL-_ILCm8BinqJA=w1266-h949-no

BrunswickDawg

03-05-2018, 01:55 PM

Good stuff Pain.

I do miss having easy access to great hiking. You can't beat the trails in N GA, Tenn, NC, etc. Cumberland Island is nice, but the lack of elevation and challenge (other than bugs or heat) is not that great.

Prediction? Pain.

03-07-2018, 09:26 AM

Good stuff Pain.

I do miss having easy access to great hiking. You can't beat the trails in N GA, Tenn, NC, etc. Cumberland Island is nice, but the lack of elevation and challenge (other than bugs or heat) is not that great.

Yeah, southern Appalachia's hiking scene is strong. Chattanooga's got a lot going for it, but its close proximity to so many great trail systems is probably my favorite thing about living in this area. Half an hour's drive (or less) in almost any direction will put you at or close to an amazing place to spend a day hiking. And if you live in some of the mountainous areas 15 or 20 minutes from downtown, you can be at a trailhead in 5 minutes.

On the flip side, you're a stone's throw away from massive stretches of beach, well-preserved state and national parks, dozens of sea turtle nesting sites, and endless opportunities for flat-water excursions. That's pretty damn strong, too, topography be damned.