Honey Creek Loop

Growth habit photo of Canada lily.

These Canada lilies are one of my favorite flowers and I was not expecting to find them today. It was a total surprise and blessing. They are not 'rare' in Tennessee but are thinly scattered. They are more northernly species and are common up in the cooler climates. Only the 2nd time ever that I've seen them for myself. Found a large colony of them in peak bloom!

Canada Lily Lilium canadense Liliacea

Lilium Canadense

Elevation profile of Honey Creek Loop Trail done by Justin Acuff. This trail is only supposed to be 5.2 miles and 460 miles elevation gain. That is false. It is closer to 6 miles round trip. The total elevation gain is 2500 ft more or less since it is constantly up and down on rugged, rocky terrain and ladders at times! There are 4 side canyons that connect with this trail. The hardest 5 or 6 miles we'd ever done!

Big South Fork River viewed from Honey Creek Overlook

The red arrow indicates the bluff line of the Cumberland Plateau. The entire area is like this. They'd be called canyons out west, but here they are called gorges or gulfs.

Lush green trees to the right of Honey Creek Overlook.

Honey Creek Loop at the start of a clockwise loop

Neat mushroom along the trail

Honey Creek Loop Hike

A sunny spot in this beautiful forest Honey Creek Loop hike Big South Fork Recreation Area Scott County, Tennessee

Verdant bluff line on Honey Creek Loop Hike

Opposite side of the bluff line Honey Creek Loop Hike Big South Fork Recreation Area Scott County, Tennessee

We came through here to get to Honey Creek Falls

Honey Creek Falls is dwindled to a drip

Bridge of Stobs Yes, I've crossed something like this before. It was a dumb idea.

Rosebay Rhododendron opening its blooms The area had more rosebay than anywhere I've seen. Rhododendron maximum

Rosebay in front of the bluff line. The trail is up there! Honey Creek Loop Hike Big South Fork Recreation Area Scott County, TN

Rock over our heads. Gives you something to think about. Hope it stays put! Honey Creek Loop Hike Big South Fork Recreation Area Scott County, TN

The path comes out here at the top of this rocky, flat bluff. Honey Creek Loop Hike Big South Fork Recreation Area Scott County, TN

Reindeer moss grows atop this bluff Honey Creek Loop Hike Big South Fork Recreation Area Scott County, TN

Orange Weed--it is preparing to open its tiny yellow flowers! If you ever get a chance pull off a sprig of this and crush it.. it smells wonderful of citrus! Growing atop the bluff on Honey Creek Loop Honey Creek Loop Hike Big South Fork Recreation Area Scott County, TN

Scrub pines and reindeer moss and other heath vegetation grows atop the bluff Honey Creek Loop Hike Big South Fork Recreation Area Scott County, TN

Blue Sky over Rocky Bluff Honey Creek Loop Hike Big South Fork Recreation Area Scott County, TN

Ripe Blueberries were along many parts of Honey Creek Loop Trail Honey Creek Loop Hike Big South Fork Recreation Area Scott County, TN

Ice Castle Falls was also dried up to a mere drip but the gorge below it was lush and green! Honey Creek Loop Hike Big South Fork Recreation Area Scott County, TN

The trail goes through here! See the marker? Honey Creek Loop Hike Big South Fork Recreation Area Scott County, TN

And again through here! Honey Creek Loop Hike Big South Fork Recreation Area Scott County, TN

Kenny resting at one of several Indian Rockhouses Honey Creek Loop Hike Big South Fork Recreation Area Scott County, TN

Another view of the same Indian Rockhouse Honey Creek Loop Hike Big South Fork Recreation Area Scott County, TN

Ladder climbs up to a cave. If you go thru it reconnects with the trail! Honey Creek Loop Hike Big South Fork Recreation Area Scott County, TN

Last picture of the green and beautiful Honey Creek Loop Hike. I was getting tired! Honey Creek Loop Hike Big South Fork Recreation Area Scott County, T

Possum Paw Fern or Climbing Fern Check out the delicate baby fronds dangling down! Honey Creek Loop Hike Big South Fork Recreation Area Scott County, TN