Trillium Gap Trail Steps
The hike up Trillium Gap Trail leads to Grotto Falls and, miles further, the peaks of Mount Leconte. In spring it is a walk through the lush exuberance of the Great Smoky Mountains.
Grotto Falls
Grotto Falls is one of the more beautiful waterfalls in the Great Smoky Mountains, particularly after heavy spring rain.
The trail to Grotto Falls passes behind the Falls, especially welcome on hot humid days.
Grotto Falls sits in a beautiful ravine, surrounding by lush growth and stone cliffs.
Springtime Impression, Cades Cove Drive
Springtime along the Roaring Fork
Moss - covered boulders grace the waters of Roaring Fork.
Quiet getaway along the Roaring Fork. Nestled not far from the craziness of Gatlinburg, Roaring Fork is spectacular with spring's moss-covered streams and fall's colors.
Rays of light break through the arriving storm clouds in Cades Cove.
Springtime flower in Cades Cove
Spring Daisies
A black bear chews on grasses and flowers near one of the old homesteads that dot Cades Cove.
A black bear and one of her two year old cubs look up from a meal of grasses and roots.
After awaking, this black bear mom slowly stretches, yawns and seems to orient herself. In reality, she is keenly aware of everything going around her and, especially, her three cubs sleeping above.
After awaking from her nap, this large black bear makes her way toward her three young cubs still sleeping above her in this tree deep in the forests of the Great Smoky Mountains.
Fog hovers above the end of the Cades Cove valley.
A black bear licks his chops and takes a quick peak from her breakfast feeding.
A mother black bear escorts her three young baby cubs down from this tall oak tree when they have spent the night sleeping.
A sow black bear waits at the tree's base as her cubs slowly make their way down.
A young cub seems plastered to this tree trunk, as he uses his sharp nails for a secure grip as he its slowly backs down this tree.
Mom peers between two trees as her cubs scamper down from above.
Like a scene from a movie, this large black bear stands watch with her cubs nearby.
A bear cub with a bright blaze on her chest stands in a grassy meadow in search of mom.
Peekaboo
Rhododenrons and Laurels atop the a high ridge in the Great Smoky Mountains.
A large black sow emerges cautiously from the forest's edge.
Heavy fog shrouds Hyatt Lane and the Cades Cove valley.