Abrams Falls, Summer 2009

By late August 2009, most of the East Tennessee schools have started back causing the weekday crowds in the Smokies to lighten up. I took the opportunity to hike to Abrams Falls in Cades Cove. I tend to avoid Cades Cove but only because it is over-used and I run short on patience in traffic jams.

The hike to Abrams Falls, 2.5 miles (one way), is moderate only because there are several short climbs along the way. Most of the trail was flat, wide and well-worn. The Park closed this trail for several days earlier this summer due to bear activity. We did not see any bears while hiking but several other hikers reported seeing bears on the trial. We certainly saw signs of recent bear activity.

The falls are extremely popular especially when it is hot and I have, in past trips, had to wait a while before I could take a photograph that did not have a person standing next to the falls. If this hike was any indicator, the time when Abrams Falls is least populated (but still very popular) is mid to late morning. We didn't have the falls all to ourselves at any point but there were only a handful of folks there until just before we left. On the way out, we met a good number of hikers (many wearing swimsuits) so avoid the latter parts of the day if you hope to take unpopulated photographs of Abrams Falls.

I have to admit I've always found Abrams Falls to be a difficult subject. Aside from the crowds there have been times when fallen tree logs leaned into the falls. I find it difficult to derive a satisfactory balance between the light on the falls and the wooded area above the falls. This photograph was better than any others I have taken but I am still bothered by the bushes above the right side of the falls.

This photograph was taken from the trail side of the pool. I also tried taking several photographs standing in the pool of water down river from the falls. (Thank goodness the water was warm.) Perhaps next time I will try to take photographs on the far side of the pool.