Rim Trail at White Rock Mountain in Arkansas

this is the western view from the Rim Trail on White Rock Mountain in northwest Arkansas; the trail follows the band of cliffs that ring the flat, narrow top of  (next)

White Rock Mountain is a beautiful mountain located in northcentral Arkansas toward the western end of the Boston Mountains; it is the highest area for some distance and has really sweeping views particularly to the south and west; Oklahoma is visible on a clear day. It is not really easy to get here; I had to drive 13+ miles on gravel roads to get here although that is part of the fun; and it is really remote; you feel like you are in the wilderness. (I will put directions in a future post) There are several cabins and a lodge dating from the 1930's you can rent; although they are a little funky; all are comfortable. (no central heat or air; just a wood stove and hot running water). The views from the Rim Trail are pretty awesome; some of the best in the state; there are several overlook shelters along this trail to stop and take in the view. Be super careful along parts of this trail; it goes right to the edge of the cliffs in several spots; several people have supposedly died in falls here. Make sure you bring all your supplies with you; it is at least 15 miles over rough roads to the nearest small store. I have another view from the Rim Trail here:

this is fall color near the Sunset overlook on the Rim Trail at White Rock Mountain; note that fog has almost topped the cliffs; fog is very common here. next

Cove Hardwoods Nature Trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

This is autumn color on West Prong Little Pigeon River  at Cove Hardwoods Nature Trail by the picnic area.  next

Grotto Falls in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

this is Grotto Falls in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. next

Noah "Bud" Ogle homestead in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

 Noah "Bud" Ogle was a pioneer farmer that built his farm, including a tub mill, in the 1880's close to LeConte Creek on 400 acres of  mountain land. The Ogle cabin is one of the best preserved cabins in Great Smoky Mountains National Park; also, the Ogle tub mill located behind the cabin down on LeConte Creek is mostly well-preserved as well; the millstones  are even  still intact in the tiny building. The homesite is located right off Cherokee Orchard Road on the way to Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail just outside of Gatlinburg, Tennessee; the Noah Ogle Nature Trail loops .75 of a mile behind the cabin down to the creek and back. Take traffic light #8 off of US441 in Gatlinburg, stay right through the intersection onto Cherokee Orchard Road; the cabin will be on your right. next

this is the Noah"Bud" Ogle cabin in Great Smoky Mountains National Park; the nature Trail starts behind the cabin. next

Death Canyon in Grand Teton National Park

Death Canyon is a fairly popular hike in Grand Teton National Park of around 8-9 miles roundtrip; much of it is moderate incline. The trailhead is accessed about 3 miles south of Moose off of Moose-Wilson Road.; the road in is about 1.6miles and fairly rough and rutted; drive carefully. The hike starts with a fairly moderate climb to Phelps Lake Overlook at just under a mile. I would advise you to bring plenty of water and some bear spray also. There will likely be other hikers on the trail, but not near as many as some of the more popuar trails in the park. I hiked  this trail in midsummer of 2010 with longtime friend Al Stangl. next

This section of trail is at the top of the switchbacks just after Phelps Lake Overlook.  next

After you leave Phelps Lake Overlook, you continue down the trail  through a few switchbacks around 7/10 of a mile to  a trail junction; the left goes to Phelps Lake, the right goes into Death Canyon. Around this point, you can see up into the upper reaches of the canyon and it's a little intimidating. Although the grade isn't as bad as it looks from the bottom of the canyon, it's about 1.5 miles to the upper reaches of the canyon where the grade lessens; until then,  it is a constant uphill grind. The scenery gets better and better as you ascend; both sides of the canyon are soaring granite walls popular with climbers. The canyon feels much more vertical and closed-in than the more popular Cascade Canyon Trail. If you hang in long enough, the canyon eventually flattens and the hiking gets much easier.  next

this is the view from the steep section of the hike; the trail runs close to the river for much of this stretch.  next

this is the river near the upper portion of the canyon; clouds were forming at this point and we heard thunder; at this elevation, lightning is a common and dangerous phenomenon; the storms move in very quickly.  next

This is one of my favorite stretches of   the stream in Death Canyon.  next

sunset in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

this sunset view was taken from Newfound Gap Road in Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina. This view looks out over the Deep Creek drainage.here are some nearby spots: Image 1

Middle Prong of the Little River in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

 I visited the Middle Prong of the Little River near Tremont, Tennessee in October. The light was coming up pretty quickly when I took a series of shots from Lynn Camp Prong  down  to near the Great Smoky Mountains  Institute at Tremont. This is a beautiful pure headwaters stream  originating from high in the Smokies. You access this area from Laurel Creek Road; turn onto Tremont Road and travel about 3 miles to the parking area/trailhead. After crossing the bridge, stay on the left fork; this wide path follows an old railroad grade and takes you along Lynn Camp Prong; eventually, the trail connects with Panther Creek Trail, Lynn Camp Prong Trail, Greenbrier Ridge Trail, Miry Ridge trail, and eventually the Appalachian Trail.
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this is the Noah "Bud" Ogle farmstead off of Cherokee Orchard Road.

Little River in Great Smoky Mountain National Park

this a a shot of fall color on Little River near Elkmont in  Great Smoky Mountain National Park in Tennessee.

    Twin Falls is created by Long Devil's Fork and Big Devil's Fork creeks; this water in turn flows into Richland Creek a bit downstream. Both of these creeks have some beautiful cascades  of their own  further upstream; since I visited the area in April, dogwoods were blooming in spots. One such cascade is here:

this view of Big Devils Fork was taken right before dark.  next