Wow, what a hike! It would be difficult to put a number to how many hikes I’ve enjoyed throughout my lifetime. For me, the activity began early in life. My sisters and I often trudged through the forests and gorges of Little River Canyon, located in northeast Alabama. We spent many afternoons exploring the wilderness then embellishing the tales of our adventures. All that said, the Ramsey Cascades trail proved to be one of the more challenging hikes I’ve trekked.
Ramsey Cascades is one of the Great Smoky Mountains 150 official hiking trails. It is four miles to the falls, and all four of those miles must be traveled back to the parking area. All in all, the eight-mile hike took our group five hours and fifteen minutes. Not too bad, considering the average completion time was listed at five to seven hours.
Much like my fictionalized characters Esme, Kirby, and Jay Duncan, our party started out early in the day. The footpath begins at a nice, even pace but quickly becomes something to be maneuvered with caution. We hiked the Ramsey Cascades trail during the late summer months and were not regaled with the blooming of all the Rhododendrons that Esme was privy to. Even so, the views proved breathtaking and serene.
We don’t have the pictures to back up our tale, but members of our hiking crew did come across several deer and a bear along the trail. While the deer were fun to watch as they played and romped through the forest, the bear left us breathless—okay, it could have been the effort of climbing. Nevertheless, a bear!
It wasn’t long before we reached one of the two footbridges along the path. Farther down the path, we come to the circle of Tulip Poplar trees. The following photo is of the tree by which Esme left her backpack.
The last mile was by far the most difficult of the hike. The elevation climbs quickly while forward progress slows with the exertion of ascending. And then you hear them. The noise of the rushing water announces the falls before they come into view. Also visible before the appearance of the grand wonder is the sign Esme implores Jay to read prior to their arrival at the waterfall.
And finally, the golden promise appears. Our gang is tired but reenergized by the sight of the tallest waterfall in the Smoky Mountains. All senses are on alert as you round that final leg of the trail—the sound of the falls, the view of the water dropping 100 feet over the large rock outcroppings, the earthy smells of moss and forest, the temperature drop cools the skin, and the strenuous effort heightens the sense of taste as we enjoyed our picnic lunch.
After some rest, nourishment, and many photos, we are ready to head back. Though the trek back is just as precarious, descending the trail was by far easier.
Hiking leaves me with a sense of accomplishment, and Ramsey Cascades definitely provided that feeling of achievement.
Love this post! I need to hike this.