Ranger Falls is part of the South Cumberland State Park and is found in Savage Gulf. It can be accessed by hiking from the Stone Door Ranger Station and requires about a half day’s time allotted due to the 7+ mile round trip hike. This is a falls I have not frequented all that often due the remoteness and the fact it is on a 1 mile spur trail from the main trail. In the summer and early fall, it is just a trickle but in spring when the frequent rain keeps the creeks full, the falls are quite impressive. This falls is interesting in that it goes underground at the base. Several falls within the park due to this only to reappear later. Sinks and caves are common due to the limestone. Horsepound Falls (also in Savage Gulf) is similar in this respect. The pool at the base is small and quickly flows into a cave to the side and behind the falls. This particular trip was almost a disaster twice. The spray from the falls had made the rim rocks ultra slick and I about lost my camera, lens and myself to a nasty fall. Somehow I managed to keep myself upright. The second near disaster involved the hike out and a very large, fat cotton mouth that I almost stepped on and my dog did. Ooops! Anyways, thought I would share a few images. These were taken last spring.
