Kentucky Waterfalls

Waterfalls in Kentucky

Because we've had two days of rain, I've had some time to do a blog post. 

On Friday, 10/26, we visited two waterfalls in Kentucky:  Cumberland Falls which is the waterfall with the 2nd largest volume of water after Niagra, east of the Missisippi.  It was very impressive.  And the surrounding area with huge boulders, beautiful trees, and a lovely beach made the outing all the more interesting and enjoyable. 

We admired the views of the waterfall,

hiked along several trails,

 

looked at the huge rocks,

 

and spent some warm hours just exploring.

 

 

 

 

 

 

After Cumberland Falls, we drove on a mountain road through woods and along a stream, to Stearns to go to the Big Gap Wilderness Visitor Center.  The visitor center is in a historic train station with a ticket office and gift shop and the visitor center is merely an area with racks of flyers and maps.  But we did manage to get the maps we needed in order to navigate to our next place -- Yahoo Falls. 

While Cumberland Falls was mostly touristy, Yahoo Falls was the complete opposite.  First we travelled 4 miles out a country road, and then 2 miles up a dirt road. 

 

The dirt road went through the most interesting picnic area we've ever seen -- private picnic areas on wooded hillsides with fabulous views.  We chose our own picnic area and had a late lunch.  There was no one else around, it was 4 o'clock, and the rain clouds were coming in.  But we decided to try the one mile loop trail to Yahoo falls, the tallest waterfall in KY, and we were well-rewarded.    

 

The first part of the trail took us down

 steep metal steps and along a ridge. 

 

Again, there were interesting big boulders, impressive overhangs, beautiful trees and loads of leaves covering the ground.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eventually we came to the falls.There wasn't much water flowing, but there was this fine mist of water coming down between some very high rocks. 

 

 

The trail went behind the falls and up the other side, across a stream, through the woods, and eventually, back to our car.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When we got back to the car, the sun was peeking through the black clouds and rain was still a few hours off.  We came down off the mountain and stopped at a car wash to bathe our very dirty and deserving auto.  Our drive back to the campground, this time on mostly highway, was through another very scenic and mountainous area, although this time we were mostly in a valley.  Another very beautiful part of the US.

For more pictues, click here:  Kentucky Waterfalls