We have combined these two events since they occurred on the same day and are closely related in time and space.

Mingo Falls

Someone at Cades Cove suggested we visit Mingo Falls on our way to Chataloochee. Now we are not necessarily “big falls” people but since it was on our way we decided to stop and give it a look/see. Are we glad we did! Mingo Falls ranks in the top falls we have visited, in the category of Yellowstone Falls, Niagara Falls, and Yosemite. Perhaps we give this falls such a high rating since we had such low expectations, to begin with. In any event, we were most pleasantly surprised.

The round trip hike to Mingo Falls is only ½ mile long and is rated as moderate to difficult. Upon arriving at the starting point, one is presented with 161 steps straight up. Once reaching the end of the stairs, the next part of the hike consists of a “very” rocky trail that takes you to the falls. The falls are not visible until one reaches a wooden bridge that crosses in front of the falls. Suddenly a 120-foot waterfall bursts into view! It is quite a specular view.

Chataloochee

Let us begin by saying the Chataloochee Valley is one of the most serene and endearing places we have ever encountered. That being said, the access to the Chataloochee Valley and campground was, to say the least, an experience. A sign entering from I-4 stated Chataloochee was just 10 miles. These 10 miles took us over 40 minutes! The road was the narrowest and curviest we have encountered in all our travels. But…it was worth it!

Chataloochee is a remote, mountain enclosed, very beautiful valley, which was first settled by early American Indians and then followed by very hardy pioneers.

Native Americans were the first people to visit the valley. Archeological evidence suggests that the Cherokee hunted and fished here for abundant game, but did not settle permanently. They named the area “Gadalutsi”, meaning “standing up in a row”, referring to either the numerous mountain peaks surrounding the valley, or to the row upon row of trees growing on those high ridges.

Following Indian trails, white settlers pushed into the valley in the early 1800s as older settlements on the outside became more crowded, as family holdings were subdivided among heirs. Young adults had to go somewhere else to start a homestead. By 1910, the valley’s population was 1251. A few of the homesteads are still standing. The forests has reclaimed most of the farmland. By 1938, the government had bought all their land to establish a portion of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Closing note: I mentioned how winding and narrow the road to the valley is. Going in, we encountered a couple of cars and passed them without too much difficulty. Going out of the valley was a little different. We encountered two huge dump trucks laying gravel on the road and one very large road grader. While we were moving 10-15 mph, these guys were traveling about 30 mph…pucker time!