Eagle Falls Trail at Cumberland Falls State Park

Okay, while I'm preparing to leave for Newfoundland this week I've got a few leftover posts I can schedule and have them post automatically.  I'll go way back to the second day of my trip in April and show you my hike on Eagle Falls Trail at Cumberland Falls State Park in Kentucky.

The 1.5 mile trail starts off with a view of the Cumberland River.  I was happy to be on the other side of the falls without all the tourists.

It doesn't take long to pass the drop and get a view of the falls.  I don't know if the view would be impeded by foliage in the summer, but I had a great view in spring.

The first bit of the trail is pretty easy, a gradual uphill climb that follows the cliffline.  I was too early for wildflowers, unfortunately.

Skip the spur trail to the "overlook".  I climbed all the stairs just to get a view of nothing.  The trail continues to get a little more rugged but is easily managed.

The latter section of the trail drops steeply down hill and also includes a metal stairway.  Try not to think about having to come back up that way too much!  Other reports say that during high water this section is inaccessible sometimes, but I had a straight shot down to the beach.  Just had to climb the pile of logs that were swept down river at some point.  Very sturdy and easier to cross than it looks.

Solitary view of the river, everyone else couldn't wait to get to the falls

 Once you're over the pile of logs it's only a minute to circle around the big rock and see the falls.  They really were very pretty and the temperature was nice and cool in the shade after the warm hike.

Getting back up that steep section required a couple of stops to get my breathing under control, but I've probably done worse since it wasn't a very long section.  It was a nice 3 mile out-an-back hike and a great way to start my adventures for the trip!