#1 Cumberland Falls in KY (poser pics of the whole clan) |
#2 More Cumberland Falls (can't remember the name of the bridge?) |
#3 Views from trail to Eagle River Falls (and the Moonbow story) |
#4 Me and Jacob at Eagle River Falls (hearty souls (and soles...)) |
#5 Trail to Yahoo Falls in KY (Lots of stairs!) |
#6 The trickle of Yahoo Falls (see tiny people in upper left pic?) |
#7 The Trail to Northrup Falls, TN (Tough but not Impossible!) |
Over, under, and behind Northrup Falls (Go here - do this!) |
Kentucky Waterfalls Run (May, 1999)
This loop begins and ends in Knoxville, Tennessee... It is a LONG 1 day run, but if you're expecting a clear night and a full moon, you might want to make the run in the reverse direction and get overnight reservations in Cumberland Falls State Park to see the Moonbow.
Go North on I-75 into Kentucky thru the Cumberland Gap Tunnel at the Kentucky/Tennessee border. Stop at the Kentucky Visitor Center on I-75 and pick up a free map and some brochures. Continuing North, get off the interstate at Exit 15 and turn left on 25. Continue about 4-5 miles then turn left on 90.
Cumberland Falls is the "Niagara of the South." The 150 ft. wide waterfall drops 67 ft. Don't just stop at the first overlook, there are lots of short paved trails that lead below the falls to some other very scenic spots.
On a clear night under a full moon, the falls show the only known "moonbow" in the Western hemisphere. You can see the "moonbow" on clear nights when the moon is full. Check for moonbow dates on the Cumberland Falls link above. The waterfall is nestled between fairly high ridges, so the Moonbow is only visible after the moon can be seen over the top of the ridge; almost straight up! It could be pretty late, so collect as much info as you can before making your plans.
Eagle Falls is on the other side of the Cumberland River. It would stand on its own as a popular attraction were it not dwarfed by Cumberland Falls. The trail begins across 'the bridge' at the Cumberland Falls parking lot; there is a small parking area at the trail head (plenty of room for a HD). The trail provides some awesome views of Cumberland Falls; one from a big boulder right above the waterfall itself. Eagle Falls, about 1.5 miles back the trail, is where a small mountain creek tumbles about 40 ft. before joining the Cumberland River. It's a fairly strenuous hike (especially near the falls) but the journey is THE HIGHLIGHT of the park.
Continue West on 90 to left on 27 - or turn left off 90 on 1045 and/or 700 - both are short cuts taking you to 27. In Whitley City, turn west off Hwy. 27 onto 700 and drive 4.5 miles to Yahoo Falls. NOTE there is about a 1-2 mile stretch of dusty gravel "Yahoo Road" to get to the parking area - be careful so you don't scratch and dent the chrome!
Yahoo Falls is Kentucky's highest waterfall. There are several trails around and to the waterfall; study the big sign/map at the trail head. There is a 'moderate' 1.0 mile Loop (with lots of stairsteps) that winds down into the scenic gorge to the base of the falls, then back along the top. The waterfall was only a trickle when we were there but the bluffs, overlooks, and arch below the falls are well worth the hike (just pace yourself on the stairs!).
Go back to 27 and turn right heading down to Oneida and turn right on 297. Follow it until it dead ends into 154. Turn right on 154 for a couple miles to Pickette State Park.
Pickette State Park - Been here, Fxxx that! Frankly, its a good pit stop for a picnic and/or a swim; there's a swinging bridge that's good for a few pics/laughs, but the place just doesn't live up to it's billing...
Internet Billing: More than 58 miles of hiking trails meander through the wilds of Pickett. Many are lined with thick groves of rhododendron and afford views of majestic forests, caves, natural bridges, waterfalls and sheer rock bluffs. Trail maps and other literature are available at the park office. Year-round fishing is available at Pickett's delightful, 15-acre Arch Lake. Fishermen need a trout stamp and a valid Tennessee fishing license for persons over 16 years of age. Rowboats and canoes are available for rent at the park boat dock. Pickett's beautiful, cliff-lined sandy swimming beach is one of the most picturesque in the South. The beach has a bathhouse and lifeguards on duty during the summer months.
Go back out the way you came in (right on 154 back toward 297). Follow 154 until it dead ends into 127 and turn left toward Jamestown.
Go left on 52 in the middle of Jamestown (scenic hwy) and continue thru Allardt to right on Crooked Creek Lodge Road (not far out of Allardt).
Colditz Cove State Natural Area is located in Allardt, TN, just 1 mile off Hwy. 52. The 1.5 mile loop will take you behind the 60 foot high Northrup Falls. This is a short and fairly easy (but sometimes tricky) hiking trail. About half the trail is on top of the bluff, offering views of the gorge and Northrup Falls. Then the trail takes you down into the gorge and under its overhang, which is the rock house. Woodland Indians used it as shelter. This place is AWESOME; just look at the pics above!
Go back out and turn right again on 52 until it dead ends into 27. Turn right on 27 and continue thru Harriman to I-40 and head home!
