Cumberland Gap

No I can't sing like Lonnie Donegan !!
Michael was confused with "Rock Island Line" but there we are...... I had "The Battle of New Orleans" on my mind which is why I couldn't quite get the tune..... but I digress.....

We woke early this morning to a grey,chilly and slightly damp one (not complaining as we have had great weather) and made our way down us25e to Cumberland Gap. First stop the visitors centre and as usual very helpful rangers and a short film about the Gap. We drove 4 miles up a winding road and then walked up to The Pinnacle which has a stunning view of 3 states, Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia.

Really good view considering it was cloudy and raining, on a clear day you can see the Smokey Mountains

Another spot to admire the view

Back down the mountain and through the tunnel to the other side of the gap and on with the hiking boots. First stop the remains of the Iron Furnace then the waterfall and a three quarters of a mile up a good but steep trail to Tri State Peak passing the Saddle of the Gap and historic points

Iron Furnace

Life is full of meeting people and experiences and we were feeling proud of achieving our hike when this chap appeared (we thought we were the only ones out and about on a damp morning) who had run up the hill did some press ups and sit ups had a chat with us about his English brother in law told us he had a thing about flags and must get a Union Jack and ran off back down the mountain !!

Michael at Tri State Peak

From here back down and a branch off to view the top of the waterfall that runs past the iron furnace and starts in The Gap (Cudjo) Cave

View from the entrance to Gap Cave

Entrance to Cudjo, Gap Cave

We were able to hike up to the cave but unable to do the tour. It's a ranger lead tour and there wasn't one for today. Shame as it looks to be awesome and we really would have liked to do it but haven't really got the time to get back down from Corbin especially as they say tomorrow's tour will probably be cancelled as thunder storms are expected.

Rain got heavier on drive back home, we feel we had better weather down at the Gap as very soggy at the campsite. Think tomorrow will be a hanging loose day and our visit to Cumberland Falls will be Wednesday when the weather is supposed to improve !!