Nature's beauty in East Tennessee

Cummins Falls

The trail to Cummins Falls near Cookeville, TN gets flash floods, so the weather must be nice. Most of the walk is on slippery rocks in the stream. But a lovely swim awaits the intrepid.

 

Great Falls at Rock Island State Park

The sign warns of danger when the dam is opened. Twin Falls (also here) is just as magnificent.

 

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Rock Door at Savage Gulf

Savage Gulf is NW of Chattanooga and features a deep canyon filled with old-growth timber. There is a set of steps (made by indians?) that goes down the cliff.

 

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Laurel-Snow Pocket Wilderness

This swimming hole is along a rugged trail to Laurel Falls, near Dayton TN. Dayton is the site of the infamous "Monkey Trial" that pitted William Jennings Bryan against Clarence Darrow.

 

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Bald River Falls

Bald River Falls is located near the start of the Cherohala Skyway, which climbs up to the top of the Smoky Mountains starting from Tellico Plains. It is most spectacular after a large rainfall. The Skyway is one of the prettiest roads in the USA. Turn right at the sign to the Ranger Station to get to the Falls.

 

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Clingmans Dome

Clingmans Dome is the highest point in Tennessee and gives a magnificent view of the Smoky Mountains. Alas, most of the hemlock trees have been killed by the wooly adelgid.

 

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Fall Creek Falls

The Cumberland Plateau is composed of limestone and dolomite. Water erosion has created magnificent rock formations and the tallest falls (not shown) East of the Mississippi.

 

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Frozen Head State Park

Frozen Head is a gem of a park near Wartburg TN. It is situated behind a State Correctional Facility. There are pretty waterfalls and rugged hiking trails. But be careful of Copperheads and Rattlers! It is the site of the infamous Barkley Marathons.

 

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Walden Ridge

Walden Ridge runs Northeast from Chattanooga and is the last ridge before the Cumberland Plateau. Geologically, it marks the end of the highly tilted strata that were produced when Africa hit America. You can get to this part of the ridge by going north from Oliver Springs on Dutch Valley Road and looking for a small sign to the Fire Tower.

 

Jim at Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada

I have many interests in life:

  • Computers, especially computer security
  • Programming in C, Java, SQL, R
  • Scientific graphics
  • Air traffic analysis and management
  • Plasma physics and nuclear fusion
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  • Classical music
  • Woodworking
  • Gardening

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