Henwallow Falls

Hiking to Henwallow Falls, Cosby

After being cooped up in the house for a week due to excessive rain, today provided a perfect opportunity to go hiking in the Smokies. Temperatures ranged from mid-morning 40s to afternoon 60s. So, the Grands and grandson Jacob headed for Cosby to hike to Henwallow Falls. From the traffic on this trail, many other hikers had the same idea. Couples, families, singles, young and older could not resist getting out on such a gorgeous February day. 

 For the most part, the trail is up but it is a popular well-maintained trail. It had been several years since I had hiked to the falls. What struck us about the trail was the quality, sturdiness and design variety of the bridges which crossed some major streams. 

 With all the rain we've had this past winter, we didn't know quite what to expect about stream crossings. 

 We wondered who the bridge engineers were who were so very thorough in the bridge construction. Below you can see how wide and sturdy is the footbridge and the care taken with the accesses. Very impressive!

 The design pictured below is a first for us to experience in the Smokies. A bridge of tightly packed stones like a wall with 2 metal culvert pipes for water flow gives "rock hopping" a new definition. Very creative! And convenient!

The trail passes through stands of imposing mature hemlocks and tulip trees. On the backside of many of the hemlock trees we noticed paint marks, an indication that the trees have been treated for woolly adelgid.  I'm glad these noble, majestic trees are being monitored in attempts to save them. 

 What appeared to be a clearing for a former turn-around [similar to one at Ramsey's Cascades Trail before the narrow, rocky trail takes a sharp left to head parallel to the stream] opened up the canopy. We saw the remnants of the old road that used to come up from Cosby Road. 

 The spur trail that veers off to the right leads the hiker 0.1 mile steeply down to the base of the falls. 

 After significant rainfall these past few days, the falls were full and vigorous. More of a cascade gliding down a huge rock cliff, Henwallow Falls was impressive this day...and also a popular destination. 

 Our trio posed for a friendly hiker to snap our picture.

 The section of trail approaching the spur trail edged along a high bluff offering vistas of the the valley below. 

 Peanut butter and honey sandwiches are a satisfying lunch on a Smokies hike. 

 Jacob and I were rewarded with this view across the Cosby valley when we decided to satisfy our curiosity about checking out the view from above the falls.

 Rhododendron thickets, moss and large trees characterized sections of the trail. 

 It was an easy approach to the top of the falls, but we could only capture a glimpse of the water shooting off the top. This creek is Lower Falling Branch which feeds into Henwallow Creek farther down the mountain. 

 On our return we found the small side trail through thick rosebay rhododendron that leads to the single grave of Sally Sutton. According to a couple of sources, Sally Grooms Sutton farmed in the area where her grave is located. Also, the sources claim that her baby daughter Jennifer was buried nearby. 

 Jacob could not resist the opportunity to log balance.

 Our last bridge before reaching the vehicle served as a pleasant reminder of a spectacular day spent in the Smoky Mountains. 

For those who are curious about how "Henwallow" received such an unusual name, you will chuckle at the sense of humor mountain folks expressed. Who better to relate the background of this moniker than Carson Brewer, the consummate story teller, who preserved mountain stories in his Hiking in the Great Smokies. Henwallow is the name one community gave another as an act of spite. A man reportedly purchased 100 baby chicks to raise to become egg-laying hens and thus provide income. When the chicks matured to where they could be sexed, he discovered that the batch contained 95 roosters and 5 hens. The people living in the community below the falls thought the story so humorous that they nicknamed their neighboring community "Rooster Town." In retaliation for the mocking, the Roostertown folks named their neighboring community "Henwallow." Ah, the creativity of mountain folks!