Stinging Fork Falls State Natural Area

I hiked to Stinging Fork Falls in early June, 2013.  The round trip trail to the falls is about two miles.  There is also a spur trail to Indian Point that will add about ½ mile to the round trip distance.  The falls are located in a 783 acre natural area on Walden Ridge northwest of Spring City, Tennessee.  The large gravel parking area is about five miles up Shut In Gap Road from TN 68.  The falls consist of a plunge about 30 to 35 feet into a pool.  Above the falls is a long series of cascades as the creek follows the sloping cap rock toward the falls.

Parking area on Shut In Gap Road

The trail starts along the edge of a managed tree farm

Nothing posted at the trail kiosk

The trail finally enters the woods

Upon entering the woods, the trail narrows to a foot path

Mountain Laurel blooming along the trail

The double blaze signifies a trail junction

Indian Point

The view from Indian Point into the gulf is obscured by the foilage

Back on the main trail, now a foot path

Stairs assist with the descent into the gorge

More stairs to descend...and then ascend on the return

More Mountain Laurel blooms

There is a trail in here somewhere

Looking up slope toward a series of switchbacks

The open forest floor has been replaced with lots of ferns

Climbing over fallen trees is part of the adventure

More fallen trees and an obstructed view of the falls

Part of the cascade above the falls

The trail follows these rapids upstream to the falls

More rapids and a rock shelter below the falls

Fungi high rise

Looking downstream below the plunge pool

Stinging Fork Falls

Closeup of the falls

White blaze on the tree shows the trail

The trail skirts this rock house

Large boulder on the edge of the stream

Looks are deceiving as the trail turns right and heads up hill
instead of continuing downstream

Without the blazes, the trail blends into the boulder field

Some treads are missing on the stairs

An obstructed view of the cascade and falls

Another obstructed view of the cascade and falls

The rocky path leads to yet another set of stairs

There are some slick rocks to traverse on the lower part of this trail, so proper shoes or boots are imperative.  Also, walking or hiking sticks come in very handy in several of the switchbacks down to the falls.

The park website is http://www.tn.gov/environment/na/natareas/stinging/.