Chattanooga, Tennessee, spreads along and across the Tennessee River Valley. Just west of that city, the high wall of the Appalachian Plateau marks the west edge of the Valley, where the River itself begins to wind through the Plateau's forested expanse.
It was along this abrupt change in topography that we visited two State nature preserves yesterday afternoon. After winding up the steep edge of the Plateau and then zigzagging through attractive, upscale neighborhoods atop Signal Mountain, we finally located the Falling Waters Falls State Nature Sanctuary, where a short trail leads to the Creek's spectacular waterfall. Unfortunately, low water in the creek diminished the falls but, from its crest, we enjoyed a broad view of the rock-rimmed valley below.
Even more scenic was our hike through the North Chickamauga Creek Gorge, a few miles farther north along the Plateau's edge. There we followed the Creek upstream, passing and climbing atop massive slump blocks that have eroded from the cliffs to produce a ribbon of pools, riffles and rapids along the course of the beautiful, clear stream (see photo). More from the Appalachians over the next few days.
