A few seconds later, the reflections changed to this pattern!
The water is so clear in Piney River it is possible to watch the fish such as these Hogsuckers.
Kenny is climbing down the ladder from the Piney River Overlook. It can be quite tricky with a backpack!
This is the flat rock that the picnic area is named for. There must have been a bridge here at one time due to the two large concrete blocks placed on the rocks.
Piney River trail sign
Piney River Trail This is the 100' suspension bridge at the 3-mile section of the trail. There are deep areas in the river which make wonderful swimming holes on a hot day!
Turn onto Hwy. 68 at Spring City and watch for the Shut-in Gap Road sign! We usually take a juice break and "pit-stop" at the near-by convenience store before hitting the trail.
I call this photo "Rippleflections". I had been taking shots of the reflection of the trees in the water, they shimmered and changed with the breezes. Then I asked Kenny to throw a rock into the water. I was delighted to get this interesting photo. I later had it enlarged to a 16" x 20" print, it was mesmerizing!
These huge leaves had fallen from a Frasier Magnolia.
I told you it was steep!
These two trees along the trail look like Giant's feet. The trees are growing on top of solid rock. It is amazing how tenacious nature can be!
Piney River Trail McDonald Branch
Piney River Trail This trail has 10 large block field crossings and numerous smaller ones in the first 3 miles!
Three bridges cross the river at different points along the trail. This is the 100' bridge found at 3 miles from the trailhead. The Piney River Trail is located in Spring City on Hwy. 68. Turn on Shut-in Gap Road. The parking area is at a small picnic ground by the river.
"Fall is Looking Up"
The view from the Piney River Overlook. The fence is gaudy, but necessary, a fall here would be fatal.
Piney River is a popular swimming area. These kids were having a great time jumping from the rocks into the water at the parking area picnic grounds.
There were 17 Jack-in-the-Pulpit flowers blooming in this patch along the trail. I have never seen such a large number of these flowers in one place!
Piney River Shadows
The Flat Rock Pinic area has 4 picnic tables near the Piney River.
There are different species in Piney River like thse Bluegill. I also saw a trout.
There is a spur trail called the Overlook trail. At the top there are many huge boulders like this one. A little farther down the trail you can climb up a steep ladder to the top of a rock outcropping for a breathtaking (in both difficulty and the view!) view of the river valley below. It is even more spectacular in the fall!
We hiked to the 100' bridge over Piney River on Oct. 30, 2008. We were astounded by the amazing reflections of the fall leaves on the surface of the water.
The sandstone on the Cumberland Plateau often splits into flat sheets like these.
Piney River Trail Yes, this is part of the trail! Note the trail blaze on the tree!
A natural rock garden covered with Spring Beauties along the Piney River trail.