John turning on the GPS. We haven't taken it out of its case since our 2002 trip to Montana.

Following our New Year's resolution to get out on the trail more, we decided to go to Big South Fork to look for campsites for a backpack we are leading in February. Most of our recent hiking has been in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and we were ready for a change. What a beautiful day to be outside!

We started at the Leatherwood Ford trailhead, hiked to the Angel Falls Overlook, hiked a couple of miles of the Grand Gap Loop, then along a section of the Fall Branch Trail. We traced our steps for a total mileage of 9-miles. We have been lazily hiking 5-6 miles recently. We will definitely feel the extra effort tomorrow.

This should be a picture of the the Leatherwood Ford Bridge over the Cumberland River but the bridge is underwater. The bridge structure is causing the rapids in the river.

Another picture of the Leatherwood Ford bridge location from the Leatherwood Ford Road bridge. The river is well above its banks. We noticed signs along the trail that the river has recently been 10' above its current level.

A creek along the trail. Water is pouring off the ridges swelling creeks. The trails are also extremely muddy from all of the water.

The Cumberland River from Angel Falls overlook. This is a familiar site for outdoors minded people in our region. The Big South Fork Recreational Area is really something special.
Looking at the Cumberland River in the opposite direction from the previous picture.