We’re still in the grip of winter here on the Plateau — gray skies, rain and ice, but no snow for now. So I thought I would stay with winter for Watery Wednesday. The pictures can be enlarged if desired.
Last January Betsy and I hiked to Spruce Flat Falls in the Smoky Mountains. Spruce Flat Falls is behind the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont, not far from the Townsend entrance to the park. The institute sponsors workshops and programs throughout the year and there are signs pointing the way.
The hike to the falls was not bad — a little under a mile. The trail was fairly steep near the trailhead at the institute but it soon leveled off. It was a good day for a hike — crisp, but not particularly cold.
When we got to the falls we were delighted to find water, snow and ice. It was quite a visual delight. The falls actually contains three steps — the picture above shows the main portion of the falls.
This second picture shows the water and ice of the falls in a little more detail. Spruce Flat Falls was a very nice addition to our waterfall collection.
To see more of our watery world, or to join by posting your own pictures, click HERE.
Tags: Smokies, Waterfalls, Watery Wednesday


January 27, 2009 at 9:44 pm |
Great shots! What an amazing park to visit!
January 27, 2009 at 9:52 pm |
Looks great with the ice and snow. Soooooo white.
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January 27, 2009 at 10:21 pm |
That must have been spectacular,considering how beautiful it looks on pictures.
Blessings,Ruth
January 27, 2009 at 10:44 pm |
Waterfalls are always a big hit with me. I LOVE them. ‘-)
January 27, 2009 at 11:05 pm |
These marvelous semi-frozen waterfalls have such depth and textue. I am reminded of falls I used to hike to in Illinois at Starve Rock State Park. Nice captures.
January 27, 2009 at 11:36 pm |
I think these are amazing photos. Being in Southern Cal I never get to see water frozen in motion like that.
January 27, 2009 at 11:57 pm |
Beautiful waterfall shots, that must have been a lovely walk. Thanks for sharing.
January 28, 2009 at 12:07 am |
Very nice, Frozen ice and water flow frozen in time!
January 28, 2009 at 12:35 am |
Nice picture of the frozen fall. That is so neat.
January 28, 2009 at 12:45 am |
Hiking to a waterfall in the winter – my hats off to you both!
This is really lovely and can only imagine what it was like to actually be there.
January 28, 2009 at 1:12 am |
Ooo … I really like this. I wonder how it will be like if we have winter in Malaysia… thanks for sharing
January 28, 2009 at 1:32 am |
There is something eerie about frozen waterfalls, I love these shots, perfect.
Cheers!
Regina In Pictures
January 28, 2009 at 4:35 am |
Awesome photos. I would like to see it alive. Great place.
I liked your post for My World, too.
January 28, 2009 at 9:41 am |
What a beautiful frozen waterfall! You can see the action of the water better in this state than when it is fully liquid!
Thanks for sharing!
January 28, 2009 at 10:31 am |
Beautiful! Everything here is frozen up today. Brrrrrr…!
January 28, 2009 at 10:41 am |
Beautiful pictures!
January 28, 2009 at 11:37 am |
Those shots are so amazing. I’m glad I stopped by to see them.
January 28, 2009 at 11:43 am |
I like this George. It does make me cold looking at it though. =) Hope you have a great day.
January 28, 2009 at 11:59 am |
Outstanding!! Wonderful images!
Some of our waterfalls are frozen as these are and they are HUGE!
Many hikers will don on their climbing gear and up up up they go climbing to the top of these icy falls….
January 28, 2009 at 12:24 pm |
Those are so neat! Reminds me of a candle when it burns in a slight draft and the wax collects down one side.
January 28, 2009 at 12:29 pm |
Very beautiful! We’ve got plenty of snow…. probably 11-12 inches so Betsy will probably be jealous.
January 28, 2009 at 12:50 pm |
Looks gorgeous BUT very cold too. brrrrr.
January 28, 2009 at 2:10 pm |
Great water and ice falls.
January 28, 2009 at 2:43 pm |
Even frozen it’s amazing. I feel the cold though.
BTW, I added you to my blogroll in my photo blog where I keep all my links.
http://www.calrat.blogspot.com
January 28, 2009 at 3:58 pm |
What wonderful WINTRY water scenes you’ve shared here today … making me chilly just to LOOK at them.
Hugs and blessings,
January 28, 2009 at 5:18 pm |
Awesome and spectacular images George. What would I not give to have such a place at my reach. Green with envy that you can visit such places. Kidding! Still I’d just love to see this for real but these images do make it look simply amazing.
Thankyou so much for making that hike and for these artistic pictures.
January 28, 2009 at 5:44 pm |
I love it when one can see the water struggling to force away the ice – ore is it the oposite? – but don’t quit win. Beautiful shots!
January 28, 2009 at 6:02 pm |
Hi George,
Those are some Awesome Photos!! Beautiful Waterfalls!! Thanks for stopping by my place. Have a great day!!
Sherrie
January 28, 2009 at 6:35 pm |
What a reward for your hike! Wonderful photos!
January 28, 2009 at 6:53 pm |
These photos are fantastic! You have inspired me to start hiking more…it’s amazing the views that you capture by getting out into nature.
January 28, 2009 at 7:01 pm |
Beautiful shots – perfect for this monster heatwave that’s hit us. Highest temperatures in a century – whew!
January 28, 2009 at 7:36 pm |
I know I’ve said this before, but frozen waterfalls just kill me! Very pretty shots though
January 28, 2009 at 7:53 pm |
Looks like a beautiful ice sculpture!
January 28, 2009 at 8:24 pm |
Brrrrr. looks like my backyard right now..ice everywhere!! well maybe not that much water..but it feels like it is.. An interesting capture, George.
January 28, 2009 at 9:15 pm |
Wow! Talk about being worth the hike. In Florida they say there are still some undiscovered springs … I wonder if that’s the case with water falls.
January 29, 2009 at 2:16 pm |
I love this…you make the cold look good George..
January 30, 2009 at 9:43 am |
When moving water freezes, you have to figure it got really really cold…seeing this caused a chill to go straight thru me! Congratulations on the Post of the Day mention at David’s
Sandi
January 30, 2009 at 6:37 pm |
Congratulations on your blog of note from David. Cool (in more ways than one) photos!
January 30, 2009 at 8:26 pm |
I like your beautiful photos of snow and the frozen waterfalls. Really beautiful!