Panthertown Valley

(Photo credit: Julie Eargle)

Waterfalls, sandy beaches, sheer rock walls... all in one hike!  That's what Panthertown Valley had to offer the Girls in the Woods this week.  We couldn't have ordered a more beautiful day.

We hiked eight and a half miles and jumped on and off of several trails.  We ended up hiking backwards from our original plan, but still saw everything we wanted to see on this trip.  Never straying far from the water, we made numerous crossings on rocks, logs and sometimes bridges.

The first waterfall was Schoolhouse Falls

We were like turtles soaking up the sun.

(Photo credit: Julie Eargle)

The second falls we came to was Granny Burrell Falls.  There was ice all along the edge, so we cautiously worked our way to an area where we could see.  Even though it was sixty degrees today, it has been dropping down in the thirties at night.

This was the strangest thing.  A sandy beach in the middle of the forest.

We ate lunch on one of the sandbars and this was my view.

A friendly reminder to respect the forest and the shelter.

The Great Wall was aptly named.  We hiked to the base of the mountain in complete awe, feeling very small.   Maggie was trying to figure out how one would go about climbing this giant.

The last falls took a little work to get to.  We were all getting tired by this point, but were so glad we had made the effort.  I am never sorry that we push ourselves to see just one more thing.

Greenland Creek Falls

It was an all day hike, as you can see by the late afternoon sun at the top.  But what a day!  This hike is a little over an hour from my house and I had no idea these falls were here, or that rock face.  Exploring the beautiful area where I live with my hiking friends is one of best things I do for myself.  It's my therapy.

" In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks."

John Muir