We got up early this morning to do a little hiking before the crowds descended. I think our timing was just about perfect because the sunrise hikers were headed back to their cars when we arrived and the crowds didn't arrive until we were leaving. The trail to Laurel Falls is a 2.4 mile round-trip hike with a change in elevation of just under 400 feet. It is a paved path in very poor condition (so not at all appropriate for strollers, wheelchairs, etc.). You can see the upper falls from the path but to view the lower falls, you need to climb down a rocky hill. It is worth it to take the time to climb down. Here are some photos of the falls and the wildflowers we found along the way.
I don't know how this tree grows out of the rock!
Upper Laurel Falls
Lower Laurel Falls
Wildflowers
We continued along Fighting Creek Gap Road for a little while and stopped at a few pullouts before heading back to the cabin.
Rapids along the Little River
The Sinks
When we returned to the cabin, it was time for our friends to pack up and head home. Once they left, Paul grilled lunch and we enjoyed a quiet afternoon of bird watching, sitting in the hot tub, and enjoying the views.
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Carolina Chickadee
When we went to cover the grill, we found two of these female dark fishing spiders on the cover. They are quite large (around 3" including legs) but quite harmless. They are similar to a wolf spider and the easiest way to tell them apart from a wolf spider is the arraignment of their eyes (2 rows vs. 3 rows, each with a total of 8 eyes).
Here is a photo of the mountains around sunset and then during the blue hour.
Since this was our last full day at the cabin, we really wanted to make the most of just relaxing among the gorgeous views and beautiful songs of the birds. We slept in a bit later and so didn't catch the sunrise but still were up early enough to enjoy the bird activity.
White-breasted Nuthatch
Eastern Bluebird
Indigo Bunting
Eastern Bluebird
Hooded Warbler
Eastern Bluebird
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Over five days, we identified 22 different bird species. Eastern Bluebirds and Red-bellied Woodpeckers were the most common around our cabin and were often seen in pairs squawking and playing (it is mating season). The Hooded Warbler was the most exciting new species to me, as well as the nocturnal Chuck-will's-widow which could be heard each night. I got glimpses of a beautiful Pileated Woodpecker one day at the cabin (and again at Cades Cove on our way home - see the next post) but was never successful getting a photo of one.
Mid-morning we made a quick trip into Pigeon Forge to get some more chocolate and do a little shopping. We wandered the Old Mill Shops and picked up some pottery, soap, t-shirts, a puzzle, and of course chocolate.
In the early evening, a turkey wandered through the patio and yard of our cabin.
After I took these photos, he wandered off out of the yard and so we went back in the cabin. Not too much later, I heard what sounded like a turkey again and so I stepped outside just in time to catch one starting to peck at our car! I have no idea what he was trying to do but he was very focused on both sides of the car just in front of the front wheels.
We had plans to catch the sunrise over Gatlinburg and drive Cades Cove before it got too busy and so we got an early start and were packed up and on the road a little after 6:00 a.m. It was a bit sad to leave such a beautiful cabin, but our time in the Smokies was coming to an end.
We briefly stopped at the Gatlinburg overlook although it was too cloudy to see much of a sunrise. The views still were worth the stop.
We continued on towards Cades Cove and passed an overlook with this view.
Before we even reached the Cades Cove loop, we had two bear encounters. First a Mom and two cubs were right off the side of the road. We couldn't stop long enough to take photos of that family but not much further, this bear walked across the road. We obviously had to stop for him. It all happened so quickly that my photos are a bit blurry but I thought I would share them anyways because it was such an amazing experience.
Fortunately, there was very little traffic in Cades Cove so we could take our time and pull off wherever we wanted. We counted at least 8 bears, including the four we saw before entering the loop. We also saw a small deer. And a pileated woodpecker briefly paused on a tree right off the trail. We pulled over and I tried to follow the huge woodpecker into the woods but lost track of it so never got a photo.
Black bear along the tree line with a cub (you can't really see the cub in this photo). These bears were quite a ways off and in the shade and so I couldn't get a very good photo of them.
This one was only about 50 yards off the road and seemed completely oblivious to all the people with cameras.
Same one as the previous two photos - At one point he was startled by a loud truck and jumped up on the tree. I wasn't quick enough to catch him on the tree but did catch him peeking around when he came back down on the ground.
Once we finished the loop, it was time to head home. As I often do, I made use of the hours in the car to review and edit my photos and finish up this blog. We are now home and wishing we were back on one of those decks watching the mountains.
