Today's walk was supposed to be on the Rim of the Gap Trail, but that one was closed due to ice. Plan B was to be a lollipop via Bill Kimball Trail, but I didn't make it due to ice again...so it wound up being a long out-and-back.
I didn't attempt the icy descent circled in red.
The entrance to Jones gap State Park on beautiful clear late-winter morning.
It was forecast to be 60 degrees today so I definitely wasn't expecting to have change plans...but later I could see that the north-facing steep canyons around this area don't get much sun.
A nice bridged crossing just past the parking area
The Middle Saluda River
The Middle Saluda River passes under the bridge
Boulders beside the entrance trail
Jones Gap State Park informational signs
The beautiful Jones Gap State Park Visitor Center (closed)
Crossing a bridge over the Middle Saluda
The heavily bouldered Middle Saluda is reminiscent of the Little River Trail in the Smokies
Great signage on the trails in this area. Blue blazes are for the Jones Gap Trail.
The registration kiosk with trail map
All major intersections have these nice maps complete with elevation profile.
Jones Gap Trail - The Middle Saluda River
Jones Gap Trail - A nice gentle ascent on this wide trail, would be good for families.
Rim of the Gap Trail/Jones Gap Trail intersection - ROTGT is closed to due to ice.
Jones Gap Trail - Continuing uphill along the wide gentle trail
Jones Gap Trail - I pass many nice individual riverside campsites beside the trail.
Jones Gap Trail - Campsite #8
Jones Gap Trail - Big boulders and the Middle Saluda
Jones Gap Trail - The Jones Gap Trail is well marked and well worn.
Jones Gap Trail - Peakng through the rhododendron at another cascade area.
Jones Gap Trail - Big boulder strewn Middle Saluda River
Jones Gap Trail - A tent at Campsite #9.
Jones Gap Trail - A small cascade tumbles down and across the trail
Jones Gap Trail - More cascades
Rainbow Falls Trail/Jones Gap Trail intersection - Spectacular Rainbow Falls is to the right up the red blazed trail, but that will have to be another day.
Jones Gap Trail - Unlike the Smokies, the majority of the hemlocks in this area are still healthy, although they do show signs of Hemlock Wooley Adelgid infestation. It's just a matter of time before this area is decimated too.
Jones Gap Trail - A cool knarled tree beside the river
Jones Gap Trail - You can't tell from the picture, but these were some monster boulders.
Jones Gap Trail - A brand new bridge crossing
Jones Gap Trail - The Middle Saluda River from the bridge
Jones Gap Trail - These new bridges are nice!
Jones Gap Trail - Continuing through a still-healthy hemlock forest
Jones Gap Trail - A short spur leads to Jones Gap Falls
Jones Gap Trail - Nice Jones Gap Falls
Jones Gap Trail - Jones Gap Falls
Jones Gap Trail - Old Dan at Jones Gap Falls. Hard to tell from the picture but the falls are 40' high.
Jones Gap Trail - Now walking on the opposite side of the river
Jones Gap Trail - This area has a lot of these cool sliding rock areas
Jones Gap Trail - A nice cascade
Jones Gap Trail - A bend in the river
Jones Gap Trail - Starting to get some snow beside the trail
Jones Gap Trail - A wide gentle grade
Jones Gap Trail - Another cascade
Coldspring Branch Trail/Jones Gap Trail intersection
Coldspring Branch Trail - A short downhill on the now orange blazed trail before more uphilling.
Coldspring Branch Trail - Another outstanding bridge
Coldspring Branch Trail - More unique signage
Coldspring Branch Trail - Dog hobble surrounds the trail
Coldspring Branch Trail - This area here was a serious little climb
Coldspring Branch Trail - Ridgetop homesites. What views they must have.
Coldspring Branch Trail - A slick crossing of Coldspring Branch
Coldspring Branch Trail - Coldspring Branch cascades over what I assume is a plate of granite
Coldspring Branch Trail - Now through the rhodo tunnel and into the snow
Coldspring Branch Trail - The snow was reasonably thick in some spots considering it was 60 degrees
Coldspring Branch Trail - Above Coldspring Branch
Coldspring Branch Trail - Another slick crossing
Coldspring Branch Trail - A switchback on the trail. After many many 1000s of pics, this would be Kody's (my Kodak camera) last picture...may he rest in peace. I wish I could find the rest of his pieces..but some were lost in Coldspring Branch. :o) I also had a nice ridge walk on Bill Kimball Trail, but obviously there are no pics to show.
