It took millions of years for the Little River to carve its 600-foot-deep canyon into the flat top of the narrow southwestern ridge of the Cumberland Plateau that stretches 75-miles from Chattanooga, Tennessee across northwestern Georgia and ends in Gadsden, Alabama. The lofty stretch is named Lookout Mountain and its highest point rises 2,392-feet near Thompsonville, Georgia.
Peering into Alabama’s “Grand Canyon” from one of the many lookout points along the east rim, we pondered the Legend of Littlefoot. Many years ago, a family of monkeys escaped from a defunct petting zoo in Little River Canyon. Rafters reported them following along in the trees and backpackers claimed creatures stole their snacks from unattended packs, leaving behind only little, humanoid footprints. A blurry photo of an upright critter dragging an Igloo cooler is the only visual evidence to date. Guard your snacks and coolers if you venture into the canyon’s depths.
Grace’s High Falls plunges 133-feet from the canyon’s west rim and is Alabama’s tallest cataract. It can only be viewed across the canyon from the scenic drive on the east rim. Winter and spring are the best times to see the elusive waterfall as it is often dry during hot summer months.
The many overlooks perched on the edge of the canyon’s sheer cliffs provide awesome vantage points to view red-tailed hawks, eagles, black vultures and turkey buzzards soaring on the updrafts at eye level to the steep bluff tops.
Turkey Buzzards are the “caretakers of carrion.” Upon seeing these eerie creatures circling above, my friend’s father used to warn his children to, “Act alive, or they’ll getcha!”
The ‘dissected plateau’ is made up of sandstone and sedimentary rocks erosion-sculpted into formations like “Mushroom Rock” on the east rim.
Little River Canyon begins at Little River Falls’ 45-foot drop.
Picturesque, Martha’s Falls spills off a flattened expanse of riverbed into Alabama’s most popular natural, swimming pool, known locally as “Hippie Hole.”
- Historic Fort Payne is the largest town on the Alabama portion of the Lookout Mountain Parkway. The “Former Sock Capital of the Wold” was home to three young musicians that formed the country band Alabama. The Big Mill Co. now houses 21,000 square feet of antiques. Built in 1889 by the Alabama Builders Hardware Manufacturing Company it became the W.B. Davis Hosiery Mill in 1915.
- While Karen combed through the countless treasures on consignment, I sat in the corner of the second floor in the old sock mill and reflected on another successful day trip.