Headed East: Smokey Mountain Falls

7/1

About to head to my fourth straight day of getting an eight mile hike logged in, I felt it was time to pay a visit to Sugarland Visitor Center. The most visited center of the Smokey Mountains, it was packed with a Covid-19 waiting line outside. But, I happily waited my turn for what I thought was some much deserved shopping time. My goal? To find the perfect patch and shirt to commemorate my time in this most beloved place.

A little later and back in hiker mode, I was taking a right turn onto Old Historic Road in Gatlinburg on route to my next trail head. I soon realized I was driving along one of the Scenic Byways of The Smokey Mountain National Park. With always a chance of a bear, the speed limit was 10 miles per hour along the one way gorgeous, green infused road.

I finally made it The Rainbow Falls parking lot, and headed out on the 2.6 mile hike. Once again I was surrounded by the epic pull of the forest. I find it a habitual phenomenon in this park that no matter where I found myself each day, there seemed to always be the cascade of water's flow, rocks infused with moss green, and rhododendron in bloom.

As I made progress up the trail , I was excitedly informed on several occasion that a big black bear await me ahead. I will admit I got excited hoping to see it. I peered out into the green, looking right, looking left. All trail. No bear.

I arrived to the alluring oasis of Rainbow Falls, so named for the bands of color that seem to paint themselves across the falls when the sun pours down onto the cliff side. There was no sun, but as I sat atop a damp rock, cliff bar in hand, feeling the cool of the chilled breeze flowing off the falls, I didn't seem to mind. I instead thought once more about the fact that every trail in this park has been magical to me. That the Smokey's are truly in a world of their own.

After already getting in 5.2 miles with Rainbow Falls, I lucked out in talking to a family as I was heading off the trail. I wanted to hike to Grotto Falls, but didn't want to add another 7 miles to my day by hopping on Trillium Gap Trail to get to her. My trail angels let me in on the prized secret of the day. Right up the road, if I parked at Grotto Falls trail head instead, my hike would total 2.8 miles, rounding me out to another 8 mile day. I took it!

Again, the magic of the Smokey's brought on her full enchantment. Waterfalls, rhododendron, the lush green of the forest, all whispered their love songs to me. I would say that the lack of rock and root along both trails today, made them quite distinct from the ones I had traversed so far in the park. And with all the rain the Smokey's had gotten since my arrival, the super slick trails had their way with me today. I humble myself to say, I wiped out. Yep. I literally took it to the bum. But hey, after four days of successfully hiking this park like a beast, I took it with stride and a big grin on my face. Well, after I got all of the mud out of my mouth.

A little later, dirty bum and all, I made it to the delightful Grotto Falls. Small, but enchanting, she flowed magically into a pool of water that continued its cascade along the mossy rocks of the scene.

Underneath her flowing waters, the unique addition of a walkway, made for quite a popular treat. I took pictures for many a happy hiker, as I took in the picturesque scene before us, and of course, got a photo or two of my own. As I stood under the falls, I couldn’t help but to recollect Daniel Day Lewis’s plea to Madeline Stowe in The Last Of The Mohicans. “Just stay alive! I will find you!!” Oh, yes. One of the best films ever made! And who can argue the romance of a waterfall even in death's pursuit?

Bruised buttocks or not, I loved this little trail, and was elated to see the sun trying to shine her way through the trees once more, as I headed back down the mountain side. The magical rays of gold transformed the forest like a gift unwrapped just for me.

Once again on the scenic byway headed back to town, moving slowly along the road with windows down, I breathed in the moment. The trees, the waterfalls, the evening's arrival, as the sun began to wave her first farewells. I was enchanted once more, which seems a normal part of one's life while in the Smokey's.

Lost in the moment, I had forgotten that I was on the Historic Byway of the Smokey's until I passed the first homestead. There were several actually, all beautifully preserved from the 1800's, ready for you to park your car and get out to explore them. From old cabins, to water mills, to hog houses and barns, this part of the Smokey’s, to me, made it even more beloved.