A Sunrise, The Darkside, and a Waterfall – 10-19-2016
With the Fall colors now showing I planned an adventure for my son Tyler and I. This trip would start out a few hours before first light as we would make the drive over to the Grandfather Mountain area and night hike to a point high on Rough Ridge to anxiously await the impending sunrise. From there we would make our way to the ‘Darkside Cliffs’ as I had never been there and it was on our way to our final destination of Harper Falls.
Sunrise as seen from Rough Ridge on Grandfather Mountain
A Grandfather Mountain Sunrise:
Unknown to us at the time but, not unusual to the area, we discovered some fairly high winds upon our arrival. The parkway was covered in leaves as we made our way towards the trail head and as we started gaining altitude on the trail we found ourselves being moved by the powerful gusts. This also lowered the temperature so we ended up hunkering down behind some large rocks while we awaited the sun to make its appearance. Luckily we had timed the trip about right so we did not have to wait long until the first light appeared. It was difficult to get any good pictures due to the gusting winds which we later learned were between 35 and 50 mph but, it was a beautiful sight to see in person.
Pre-sun light (taken with my larger cam)
Sunrise as seen from Rough Ridge on Grandfather Mtn.
First glimpse of the sun (taken with my larger cam) It was nearly impossible to keep the strong winds from shaking my tripod.
Sunrise as seen from Rough Ridge on Grandfather Mtn.
Sunrise (taken with my larger cam)
Sun rising (taken with my larger cam)
Sun rising (taken with my larger cam)
Sun creating amazing colors as it rises to shine on Grandfather Mountain (taken with my larger cam)
Sunrise as seen from Rough Ridge on Grandfather Mtn.
Me braving the cold winds and bright sun on Rough Ridge at sunrise. I like how you can see Hawksbill Mtn. in the distance ! (photo by Tyler Tarpley)
Early morning view of Linville Gorge as seen from Rough Ridge (taken with my larger cam)
Sunrise as seen from Rough Ridge on Grandfather Mtn. (Our beloved Linvile Gorge seen in distance)
Sunrise looking towards the Linville Gorge in distance
The moon and cloud formation over Grandfather Mountain at sunrise
Clouds and colors on Grandfather Mtn during sunrise
Clouds over Grandfather Mtn (taken with my larger cam)
Fall colors and clouds around Grandfather Mtn during the sunrise
The moon supervises as the early morning sun glows on the Viaduct at Grandfather Mountain
Our shadows and the view from Rough Ridge
Beautiful colors around the viaduct
Our view towards the viaduct (taken with my larger cam)
Closer view of the colors around the viaduct
Closer view of the colors that surround the viaduct (taken with my larger cam)
Bridge at the beginning of the Rough Ridge trail. We could not see this when we night hiked in that morning !
To see the complete collection of images taken from this location, please visit the Photo Gallery HERE.
The Darkside Cliffs:
Our next stop on this journey was actually not planned but, was a spur of the moment decision as we drove by the sign, like so many times before, only this time I realized we actually had time to stop and check it out. I slid to a stop, backed up and parked at the trail head and we hiked the short trail (not quite a mile) out to the cliffs. It is not the largest cliff in the area yet, it does offer some splendid views and some interesting features. It is possible to make your way to the bottom and back on any part of it (although it does drop off vertically near the base which you would have to go to one side or other to continue down) and the unique vegetation and Fall colors made it definitely worth the effort. My only regret is that we did not take our packs so I did not have my larger camera !
Trail signage
Some good color along the Blue Ridge Parkway as we left the Rough Ridge Trail head area
Grandfather Mtn in full color as seen from the parkway
Grandfather Mountain in the clouds, as seen (zoomed) from the parkway (taken with my larger cam)
First view (of Grandfather Mtn) as we reach the Darkside Cliffs
Great view of the Grandfather from the Darkside Cliffs
Moon over the mountains as seen from the Darkside Cliffs
Small part of the beauty of Darkside Cliffs
Colors atop of Darkside Cliffs
One of the many views from Darkside Cliffs
Me on Darkside Cliffs (photo by Tyler Tarpley)
View from Darkside Cliffs
View (towards Grandfather Mtn) from Darkside Cliffs
View of the mighty Grandfather Mountain as seen from Darkside Cliffs
Zoomed view towards Beacon Heights tower from Darkside Cliffs
Zoomed view of Grandfather Mountain from Darkside Cliffs
To see the complete collection of images taken at this location, please visit our Photo Gallery HERE.
Harper Falls :
Our final destination on this adventure would be Harper Falls. Being one of the premier swimming holes of the South, I wanted my son Tyler to experience them as he had never been there before. That and I had bought some tube rafts that I was dying to try out while it was still warm enough to do so ! It did not take long to hike to the falls and it was still early enough that we did not see anyone the whole time we were there which is a rare thing. It is usually always crowded at this very popular area which is why I chose a weekday to visit them. In order to give Tyler the grand tour, we started at the top of the falls which is the only place you can view the entire upper sections of the falls, then climbing down the ‘rope from Hell’ to the base of those, we pumped up the tube raft and did some swimming and tubing there before going down the lower half of the falls to the huge swimming hole below. I took some time to climb to the top of the cliffs on the top left part of the upper falls which is something I have always wanted to do. It is very awesome up there with some very nice rock formations, small caves, and impressive trees. I then joined Tyler at the bottom where we took turns tubing around the sizeable swimming hole. From there I opted not to climb the other rope back to the trail but, instead to take the gut of the creek out to be able to show Tyler the other nice features the area has to offer such as another small falls and swimming hole where the ‘ship rock’ is anchored and the huge rocks below it not to mention the awesome campsites where I have stayed a few times before. Following the creek we completed the loop back to the trail and out to the vehicle.
Tyler stands beneath a large widow maker on the trail to Harper Falls
Looking down on the upper part of Harper Falls
Looking down on the upper part of Harper Falls
Looking down on Harper Falls (taken with my larger cam)
Looking down on Harper Falls (taken with my larger cam)
Me going down the rope from Hell (photo by Tyler Tarpley)
Me on the rope from Hell. (photo by Tyler Tarpley)
Tyler going down the rope from hell
Tyler on the rope from Hell
Tyler at the end of the rope !!
Upper part of Harper Falls
Upper part of Harper Falls
Me tubing at Harper Falls
Me tubing around at Harper Falls
The RATman chillin` out at Harper Falls
Tyler takes his turn on the tube
Tyler chillin` at Harper Falls
Tyler enjoys the tube at Harper Falls
Group shot at Harper Falls (photo by Tyler Tarpley although we cant remember how it was possible to set it and swim over to the falls and get on the rock in under 8 seconds !)
Looking at the splash pool from the top of the lower part of Harper Falls
Tyler on top of the lower half of Harper Falls
Hanging out between the falls
Harper Falls
Me enjoying a ‘sits bath’ at the lower part of Harper Falls. This hole is deep !!!
Having some fun at the top of the lower falls at Harper Falls
Me in the deep hole that is at the top of the lower part of Harper Falls
Harper Falls
Harper Falls
Tyler taking the tube raft for a spin at the huge splash pool below Harper Falls
Tyler at Harper Falls
One of the unusual rocks at the base of the high cliff above Harper Falls
Small part of the cliffs above Harper Falls
Looking up at a small part of the cliff above Harper Falls
This is part of the cliff at the top left (as facing the falls) of the falls. This is where it starts to drop off sharply where it goes down to the falls.
One of many cool rock formations along the cliffs above Harper Falls
Part of the cliffs above Harper Falls
Looking down on the lower part of Harper Falls from the lower part of the cliffs above
One of the tribal face like rocks on the cliffs above Harper Falls
Looking down on the upper part of Harper Falls from the cliffs above them
Harper Falls under the only small cloud we would see there all day !
Harper Falls (taken with my larger cam)
Harper Falls (taken with my larger cam)
Harper Falls (taken with my larger cam)
Harper Falls (taken with my larger cam)
Harper Falls (taken with my larger cam)
Me tubing around the huge swimming hole at the base of Harper Falls
Daddy RAT at the base of Harper Falls
Me at Harper Falls
Tyler caught me at a time I was feeling ‘manly’ at the falls !
Tyler at the helm of the ‘ShipRock’ which is anchored in a deep pool at the base of a small cascading falls just downstream from Harper Falls
Tyler on top of the ‘ShipRock’
Something had been dining on top of the ship rock. there was an assortment of various claws.
Small cascading falls just downstream from Harper Falls as seen from atop the Ship Rock
Me Gnome posing on the bow of the Ship Rock
Another RAT Gnome pose from atop the Ship Rock
A huge rock below the Ship Rock. The overhang creates a perfect habitat for Bees and birds as you can see there nests there
Looking back you can see the Ship Rock in the distance just behind the large rock with the bee nest on it
Tyler on top of another huge rock found along Harper Creek below Harper Falls
Tyler gives some scale to one of many rock formations found in the campsite area
To see the complete collection of images taken from this location, please visit our Photo Gallery HERE.
It was another great day to be out enjoying Nature and the beauty this area has to offer. Being warm enough to swim in the always cold water of Harper creek was an added bonus and may have been the last dip of the season. Only time would tell. Until next time,,,,,
My name is 'RAT' and I love the mountains and waterfalls of the East TN. area where I live and I hope you enjoy this blog about my outdoor adventures.
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