Ramsey Cacscades....a few weeks later.

Wow! This hike up the trail to Ramsey Cascades is challenging in dry weather or wet. A few weeks ago "Deep Dave" and I stopped our ascent up this trail just before the falls due to the high waters at the last stream crossing.

And, after reaching that same spot on this hike to the cascades we were both glad we did use caution that day. As there were several deep holes in the rock bottom of this streambed we would have likely stepped in as we made a blind crossing given the depth of the water.Now we wouldn't have been swept away by a rushing current, however these divots were deep enough that we would have risked injury in the form of breaks, bruises, and sprains.

Anyway!! awesome hike, with cooler weather and blooming plants!

Once we arrived at the falls we had a few minutes of quiet as the other visitors there at the time were just enjoying the view and sound of rushing waters.
As we began our descent we made the acquaintance of a couple who were visiting from middle TN, and one was a descendant of the Husky's. A family whose homes and lands were given up for the creation of the GSMNP.
We saw this bear below about 1 mile from the TH as we were walking out and decided we'd wait for our new friends as the bear had bluff charged us, while it was still probably 65 yards away, and then cut up and off the trail into a rhododendron thicket. But not hearing any sounds indicating that it had continued well off the trail I assumed it was still close by.  It was, sitting on and behind some rodo's  about 30 yards off the trail just watching us go by. We spoke to the bear and continued on our way.