There is a definite sensation of fall beginning to fade. The other night I climbed a ridge along the south end of the Valley to watch the setting sun cast its rays along the eastern ridge. (click to expand images)
As I turned to leave I noticed the nearly full moon climbing above the trees at the top of the ridge.
With rain in the forecast the next couple of days many of the colorful leaves will likely be stripped from their trees. Time for a fall hike before this happens.
Red Creek empties out of Dolly Sods and descends about 2,000 feet over 10 miles as it flows through a small canyon.
There are numerous side streams cascading over ledges flowing down the canyon walls.
Fall colors at the lower end of the canyon were still bright.
A hidden waterfall just off the main trail. A favorite camping spot when my sons were younger.
Tucker, ever the ham, poses on top of a bolder.
Just below The Forks, a spot were the Left Fork and Right Fork of the creek join, is an ideal lunch spot.
A natural water slide forms as the creek flows down a series of sandstone ledges.
Climbing out of the canyon we entered the red spruce and heath barrens.
It has been an exceptional fall. No doubt some warm and sunny days left, but soon we will enter the damp dreary stretch leading up to winter.
