The plan for this weekend was for Sharon to come over and visit and stay with us. We would at some point go to Best Buy as she needed electronics. We would hike on Saturday. Kenny thought he would have to work, but it ended up being only an hour or two. We had great weather on Saturday. It was very cold first thing in the morning, but we planned a fun hike that wasn't too long. We could sleep in a little and get a later start so the day would have warmed up.
We stopped in Rocky Top on the way and had lunch so we would have plenty of energy and not have to tote along a bunch of snacks or stop to eat. We just took drinks and as little gear as possible. Kenny and I have hiked to Bruce Creek Falls before, but whenever we visit here it has been quite confusing. The hike to it along the Cumberland Trail starts down in Cove Lake State Park. It comes in around 5.7 miles distance. The bad part is there isn't much to see along that section of trail. We opted instead to shorten up the hike since we are all so out of shape. We also had no desire to look at and listen to the interstate along that stretch.
We started at the parking area up at Shelton Hollow Lane. It is an easier, shorter hike with something to see the whole way. The hike is 2.2 miles round trip and is easy. This section of the Cumberland Trail is worth hiking! Don't get me wrong. It is one of the most dramatic and geologically varied segments of the trail. While we had hiked to the falls a couple times we had never before hiked to the Devil's Race Track. It is the cluster of rock fins you can see from I-75 North. It is an overlook with a three hundred sixty degree view! Today we planned to go up to see and enjoy it.
The construction of interstate 75 and the proximity of Bruce Creek to the foundations of that project made it necessary to do some engineering to protect the highway. They did not want the stream to undercut the road so they blasted the bluff and moved the stream over forty feet. This created a stable road and a beautiful set of manmade waterfalls! The Cumberland Trail came along later and it ambles along below the highway and beside Bruce Creek's triple waterfalls. It would be hard to miss the blasting lines in the cliff.
Above: The first attractive falls along Bruce Creek. It looks a bit more like a naturally occurring falls.
Below: I am looking downstream along the creek. The sunshine was glorious!
Above: Only about another tenth of a mile further you encounter the second drop of the waterfall. This one is taller and multitiered. It is very geometric and squared off looking. It is pretty, but if you look at the walls of the gorge on the far side you can see vertical lines cut into the stone at regular intervals. These were blasting lines.
Above is a photo of the main falls
The nice thing about this waterfall is you can safely, carefully stay close to the edge and get good photos and video the whole way!
Above: Dramatic shot looking down at the next drop of the falls and looking back down the jade green Bruce Creek from the top.
It is worth mentioning that the Cumberland Trail veers safely away from the edge of the falls climbing high above them. There is another spur trail we took that goes carefully along a narrow edge for a better look. On the return trip we took the easier trail that goes above.
A short distance past the top falls is a super small cascade that is stream wide.
Above: Looking upstream at the bridge. The trail crosses here, but one also continues upstream on the river right.
Above: Looking downstream from the bridge
Above: Kenny and Sharon crossing the bridge ahead of me. Up until now there has been very little elevation gain and very gradual.
Above: Looking upstream at the bridge
Above: sunbeams on the Cumberland Trail.. this part avoids the creek for those skittish about edges
Above: The edge trail above the waterfall hugs the creek
Above: low, wide cascade between the top of the falls and the bridge.
Once we got above the main falls and past the super narrow part the edge trail widened out. It became necessary to scramble on rocks in the creek and over roots for a short distance. We arrived at the bridge where the Cumberland Trail turns and starts up to the Devil's Race Track.
It is a climb from here until you reach the summit, but the trail is very well constructed. The switch backs are merciful. Plenty of places to stop and take a lung break. I could tell that the past eight weeks of working out every day are paying off. It did not tire me so much and my lungs and heart were not taxed.
Shedding nineteen pounds was helpful! About now I had to come out of my heavy camouflage coat. I took it off and strapped it to the side of my backpack.
The trail is rocky with hand holds cut even into logs as a way to help you.
We took a water and air break in a sunny spot where the ground was fairly level.
A short distance further we passed a huge monolithic stone. The trail splits around it. We took what appeared to be the "real" trail and bore to the right.
Standing down here watching people high above me climbing such a steep grade made me feel exhausted just looking at it. By the time we got round there and were actually the ones making that climb it wasn't nearly as bad as it looked!
We kept on putting one foot in front of the other until we came to a rocky outcrop we had to clamber up. I have failed to mention Sharon's wonderful dog Odie came with us. One reason for picking a hike outside the Smokies is so he could come with us. He loves to ride in the car and hike! We were now encountering more and more people. He was so funny. He hiked the trip twice over compared to us. He kept coming back to check on stragglers and herd people.
Once we got up top there was really not much elevation left to gain.
We checked out the first overlook down toward the town of Jacksboro and Caryville. We could see Cove Lake State Park in the distance.
The American flag waves over the highway on the rock outcrop.
Above and below: Two views from overlook #1. The town of Jacksboro is toward the left in the first frame. The second shot shows how blue the sky was today!
Above: The vegetation up on the ridge is scrubby pines, sage brush and reindeer moss. The ground is littered with tiny white pebbles that were at one time long ago embedded in other stones! Back when this was under water.
Above: Looking left from the Devils Race Track main overlook. A mom and daughter duo sit below us.
Above and below: views from the overlook. You can see I 75 down there!
Above: You can see Caryville and Cove Lake State Park more in this shot.
Below: Sharon in deep thought. Odie is by her side!
Below is a video of the overlook
We sat up on the top taking in the dramatic views in every direction.
The Cumberland Trail winds along this ridge on out to Eagle Bluff, Window Rock and beyond. I want to hike it and I will! We finally began our return trip.
We used care coming down as it was steeper and a little more difficult than going up! Harder to apply the brakes! Also we saw more people coming up when we were finishing. The day had warmed and people were getting out now.
We got to the bridge and crossed turning right to hike upstream to the third and final falls. It was only 0.20 miles further if that and the waterfall was running very well. We could hear it from the bridge. I thought it was on Bruce Creek, but it isn't. It is actually a small tributary stream. Today it looked beautiful and was running very well. I expect there are times when it is not worth the walk up to see. It looks like it may dry up in Summer's heat.
Below is a photo of the third waterfall.
Today's hike was just right. We all got fresh air, sunshine, exercise and negative ions! We did not wear ourselves out too much by trying to bite off more than we could hike today for three old folks. Today's exercise feels like I want more and more of this! It did a world of good for our spirits. Odie was happy and everyone on the trail wanted to take him home with them. He is such a good boy!
Below is a video of all three waterfalls in their glory!
At the top of the trip report is a link to directions how to get here and do this hike for anyone interested.
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Thanks for reading and commenting. I enjoy hearing from those who read & make use of my blog. I have made some wonderful friendships through emails from readers. I respond to all comments and emails. I appreciate folks reaching out to let me know when my blog entries are not functioning correctly or if the situation somewhere has changed. Many Blessings to you! Dana 🐝
Bill Stowell waves "Hi! from the Cumberland Trail. Yes. That is I-75 you see in the background. Nothing for it!
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thanks for reading and commenting. I enjoy hearing from those who read & make use of my blog. I have made some wonderful friendships through emails from readers. I respond to all comments and emails. I appreciate folks reaching out to let me know when my blog entries are not functioning correctly or if the situation somewhere has changed. Many Blessings to you!
Dana 🐝