On May 4th, (2008) I went to take photographs of the ‘listening rock’ on Unaka Mountain. On the far south-western end of Unaka Mountain, approaching the Nolichucky River, is a large hollow known as ‘Jones Branch’, named after the creek that runs down from the mountain, through the valley, and to the river. High atop the knob in the middle of the hollow, not far from ‘Curly Maple Gap’ is a large rock cliff face that extends upward from the rocky, pine covered central-toe of the knob. From this jump-off is an excellent view of the Jones Branch Valley and the mountains that lie beyond the Nolichucky Gorge (Temple Hill, No Business Knob, Flat Top Mountain, Cliff Ridge). It is, however, not easy to get to or from this hidden overlook. I found it by accident a few years ago.
Surrounded by pines, there is only a couple of places along the trail where you can actually see the rock cliff on the knob. Not only is the view quite stunning, but the music of the waterfalls and creeks echoing up from the valley is a soothing sound, and it seems as if you can hear everything in the valley (when the wind isn’t blowing) from this rock face. I could actually hear the hikers’ boots on the Appalachian Trail stomping along up unnamed ridge into Curly Maple Gap from hundreds of feet away. The sun was beating down from a clear blue sky, and the wind would breeze through occationally to cool the pines. It is a beautiful time of season to be there, while all the trees and flowers are bursting back to life, and the air smells sweet, scented with Mother Nature’s perfume of flowers and pine needles.
I hope that the photographs turn out alright, but won’t be sure until I get them developed (it is a 35 mm camera). We will post them here and in the photo gallery if and when they become available.
——–Boulderman