Chasing Waterfalls

I visited Niagara Falls in April 2014. It's more a walk than a hike, but nonetheless, one of the world's most spectacular waterfalls.  

Earlier this year I listed my hiking resolutions for the year.  One of my goals was to hike to five new waterfalls.  Here is the January 2014 blog post, "Looking to the Future," in case you missed it. 

Here are the five waterfalls:

Located an hour north of Chattanooga in Rhea County, this state natural area is about five miles west of Spring City, Tennessee on Highway 68. 

Stinging Fork Falls is a 30-foot waterfall located within the Stinging Fork Gorge. The creek flows over the fan-shaped falls, then quickly slips through chutes and tumbles over cascades below the falls.  Here is more information on the Stinging Fork Falls State Natural Area including trail descriptions and driving directions. (Photograph courtesy of Don Deakins.) 

Horsepound Falls is located in the Savage Gulf State Natural Area, part of the South Cumberland Recreation area near Monteagle, Tennessee. 

Horsepound Falls is on the Collins River. Half the flow of the river sinks underground in the pool below the falls. Here is more information on Savage Gulf and access to a map of the area.

When I hiked the Fiery Gizzard Trail in August, I marked off a waterfall as well as No. 4 on my "Looking to the Future" hiking resolution list.  Anderson Falls is a 80-foot double drop located just off the Fiery Gizzard Trail between Raven Point and Laurel Gorge.  Here is more information on Fiery Gizzard.   

Grotto Falls is located in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on the Trillium Gap Trail.  It's the only waterfall in the park you can actually walk behind.  It's also a popular tourist destination because of the short hiking distance (1.6 miles one way) and short drive from downtown Gatlinburg.  Here is more information including driving directions. 

Indian Flats Falls is located off the Middle Prong Trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  According to hikinginthesmokies.com,  "Middle Prong is hands down the best waterfall hike in the Smokies. The trail passes three major waterfalls, in addition to numerous smaller falls, cataracts, and cascades."  Directions to the trailhead and falls are provided on the website. 

Below are links to a few blogs and websites you waterfall fans might enjoy:

Appalachian Treks

Romantic Asheville (featuring DuPont State Forest Waterfalls tour)

Waterfalls - Great Smoky Mountains National Park 

Explore Asheville - waterfalls in the Asheville area

Waterfalls and Backroads of North Georgia 

Although I've reached my earlier goal, there are still many more waterfalls to discover. Isn't discovery what hiking is all about? So put on your boots, grab your trekking poles, and "Keep On Hiking."

Special thanks to all my hiking buddies who helped me chase these waterfalls!