|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The two RV Gypsies at |
| Surrounded by the natural, unspoiled beauty of the Daniel Boone National Forest, Cumberland Falls is a wilderness retreat with bountiful outdoor recreation opportunities including the thrilling power of a thundering waterfall plunging into a boulder-strewn gorge. | |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
The Cumberland River flows nearly 700 miles. In recognition of the exceptional natural quality and aesthetic character, a 16-mile segment from summer Shaots to Lake Cumberland, including the Cumberland Falls area, is designated as a Kentucky Wild River. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
| The Cumberland Falls Visitor Center includes exhibits about the park's geology, history, and natural wonders. Staff is available to answer questions. There is also a gift shop, seasonal snack bar, picnic tables, restrooms, and several hiking trails ranging from 1.5 miles to 10.8 miles in length each way. There is always the possibility of poisonous snakes on the trails. | |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 Because
the daytime and evening conditions were right, the two RV Gypsies returned
in the evening to see the moonbow, and after a 2-1/2 hour wait, they aborted
the mission because fog rolled in. Bummer! |
|
| A beautiful
daytime Rainbow |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Cumberland Falls is known as the "Niagara of the South". The waterfall forms a 125-foot wide curtain that plunges seven stories into a boulder-strewn gorge below. The mist of Cumberland Falls creates the magic of the moonbow, only visible on a clear night during a full moon. This unique phenomenon appears nowhere else in the Western Hemisphere. | |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
Below: A tall tree with a weird
shaped hole at the bottom |
|
 |
|
Cumberland Falls as seen
from the lower overlook |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Cumberland Falls from the
lower overlook |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
The trail from the lower
overlook to the beach area |
|
 |
|
 |
 |
Below: Looking up at the tall
rock formation above the trail to the beach |
|
 |
 |
| Below: Broken columns laying on the trail - They used to form a platform in the river that was used for a swimming area used by many people | |
 |
 |
The beach area - no longer
used as a swimming area |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
From this lower beach area,
all that can seen of the falls is the mist |
|
 |
 |
A close-up of the colorful
sand on the beach - what a great texture photograph
by Karen Duquette |
|
 |
 |
Lee Duquette ready to return
to the top of the falls |
|
 |
|
| There were
a lot of raccoons at Cumberland Falls |
|
 |
 |
Notice KarenDuquette's reflection and her orange shirt in these signs that she photographed.