Whiteoak Sinks in the Fall

Autumn is in upon us, and what better way to enjoy the weather than go hiking in the Smokies. Today I decided to hike to Whiteoak Sinks (again). It is 4.6 miles round-trip and takes approximately 2.5 hours. You start on Schoolhouse Gap Trail and pass the intersection of Turkey Pen Ridge. Just past that, turn right onto the trail that is fenced off and says "no horses." The trail will eventually fork. If you go straight, that takes you to the main section of Whiteoak Sinks were you can see the wildflowers blooming in the Spring (April/May). There is also a bat cave that is blocked off, and the individual grave site of Abraham Law (1775-1844). I saw two different sets of mama bears each with two cubs on my last trip there, but no today unfortunately. Back at the fork if you take the other path, it leads to the waterfall with a cave at the bottom. This one isn't blocked off, but there is signage to stay out for you own safety and not to disturb the bat population living there. While the Fall colors were not in full bloom just yet, it was (and always is) an amazing hike.
#nature #hikingadventures #trails #smokies #trailhead #hikingtrails #waterfall #wildflowers #falltime #autumn #bridge #cave #batcave #bats #greatsmokymountainsnationalpark #smokymountains #travel

[@shirleywilliams6532]

Glad you're hiking again Love the trail The waterfall was great Loved the bat cave ❤

[@justkeepwalkin]

Glad I'm hiking again too. 😃 Thanks.

[@PierceClark]

Cool video brother. Fall is definitely coming soon there.

[@justkeepwalkin]

Thanks Pierce. Yes, we are 1 or 2 weeks away from the Fall colors here.

[@vickiekesley2831]

Glad to see you back. I checked last night to make sure we hadn’t missed you.

[@justkeepwalkin]

Thanks Vickie. I hadn't hiked since the storms hit the southeast a couple of weeks ago. Plus, my daughter's wedding was last weekend. I thought it was time for me to hit the trail again. 😃

[@OnCallMamaw]

This is a nice trail, with a lot to see. Do you know if Abraham Law had a homestead near there? We have missed your videos. Glad to see you are getting them out again!

[@justkeepwalkin]

Thank you. With the storms that hit the southeast and my daughter getting married last weekend, I haven't had a chance to hike. I decided to take advantage of the nice weather this weekend. I believe Abraham Law lived in Whiteoak Sinks. He apparently died during the winter, and due to the snow, they had to bury him there.