Started our hiking season today at SHORT SPRINGS RECREATION
STATE NATURAL AREA http://www.tn.gov/environment/na/natareas/shortspr/!
Short Springs is a State Natural Area that is less than 15
miles from our home and studio. We had a nice and warm day in what is still
considered winter. Expecting very little vegetation and only moderate water
flow, we couldn’t wait to hit the trails and see what the Creator has given us.
We were not disappointed.
The first thing we do when we get to a hiking trail is to
take a good look at the trail map. Short Springs has multiple loop trails that
come off of a main trail that also makes a long sweeping hook. Two of the others
lead to two other waterfalls, Busby and Adams. While one was dedicated as a
wildflower hotspot. The main trail will take you to the massive Machine Falls
and back.
Machine Falls is about 60ft tall and 60ft wide. She is a beautiful
part cascading falls surrounding by bluffs, moss, ferns and a few wildflowers
that were beginning to bloom. The trees were bare for the most part due to time
of year, but we plan to return in a few weeks to see their progress and to
follow the other loops.
Machine Falls surprised us in both size and the amount of
water that fell gracefully from the 60ft cliff. Also, until recently we had not
known that these falls existed and neither did many of the people we asked
about it. With very little research I found four more water falls (not
including Machine, Busby, Adams) within less than a 4 mile radius.
Machine Falls and the Short Springs State Natural Area is a
jewel and we can’t wait to explore the other treasures of our great state.
Planning a visit? Use the following link for a topical map
of the area. http://www.tn.gov/environment/na/natareas/shortspr/shortspr.pdf
