Sycamore Falls

On Sunday, we left to go hiking and the sky looked like the picture above. We started on the trail, and turned back after getting drenched.

So today, we drove to one of my very favorite loops in Grundy Forest. We hiked 3.2 miles to Sycamore Falls-pictured above.

We saw rock art..

Tons of mushrooms..
The rain has made the forest moist and humid.

Several wildflowers...

Tick-seed sunflower..

Wild blackberries

Steep sides, roots, and rocks make for a moderate hike for kids.

Tree face

Carp

May-apple flower?

Spectacular swimming spot at Sycamore falls.
Well worth the hike.

Giant old Hawthorne

I gaze into the doorway..

Today we continued our exploration of a great park about an hour and a quarter from our home, South Cumberland State park. The pictures from earlier this week were taken at Foster Falls and Grundy Forest. Today we stomped around Greeter Falls and the Stone Door.

Greeter Falls was fun to swim in, but because it hasn't rained much lately, the falls don't look as impressive as they feel when you are swimming on your back looking up at them. All of these shots are of the Stone Door. This hike was partially paved, one mile in and one mile back, and very easy hiking with spectacular vistas and a walkway reportedly used by Native Americans many moons ago.