Cabin Creek Trail, Grayson Highlands State Park

Foggy morning on the Cabin Creek Trail
 

 

The weather forecast for the next several days was more rain and fog in the mountains, so we gave up on any ideas of more hikes up into pony territory.  However we did take one more beautiful hike while at Grayson Highlands State Park. 

 

Spooky Tree

The Cabin Creek Trail started in the same area as the trails into the high country but it stayed down in a little valley drained by Cabin Creek.  The trail wound through a densely wooded rhododendron forest and then the canopy opened up slightly into a thick hardwood forest.  Although it was not as ‘socked in’ as it was higher in the mountains, it was very foggy, dark and almost spooky.  We were enveloped in mist and quietness which served to heighten our senses. 

Bear scratches on birch tree 

There was a yellow birch tree that had long claw marks down its bark, no doubt a message left by a bear.  Thank goodness the trail was easy to follow; it was not a good day to be lost in the woods.

 

Flame Azaleas

 

 

About the time we reached the falls, the fog had started to clear a bit and our trip out of the valley was a little brighter.  The flame azaleas were blooming profusely and splashes of orange and yellow were everywhere.   Maybe it wasn’t ponies, but it was gorgeous and not a bad way to spend our last day in the park.

Nearing the falls

Cabin Creek Falls