Doggin' America's Only Moonbow: On The Trail At Cumberland Falls

 

Cumberland Falls is located west of Corbin, Kentucky (birthplace of Kentucky Fried Chicken) and is the largest waterfall on the Cumberland River. Known as the "Niagara of the South," the thundering waters of Cumberland Falls are 65 feet high and 125 feet in width. When the Cumberland River is at flood stage the width of the falls can quickly expand to 300 feet. The view is dramatic during the day but is truly special at night.

On clear, moonlit evenings during a full moon a moonbow rises across the river from beneath the falls. This is the only place in the Western Hemisphere where this pehomenon occurs and is said to only be duplicated at Victoria Falls in Africa. This truly awesome sight takes place only two days before and two days after the night of a full moon. This month and next the dates are from the 16th to the 20th.

Most visitors will observe the moonbow from the viewing platforms built at the Cumberland Falls State Resort Park Visitor Center. But adventurous canine hikers will want to go to the other side of the river where Trail 9 offers some of the best views of the falls. At 1.5 miles, this natural surface trail seems benign enough but if you complete all of Trail 9 your dog will know he's had a workout.

About a half-mile from the trailhead you get a view of the Cumberland Gorge below the falls. Next comes a spur level that drops all the way to the river level and picks its way over rocks to Eagles Fall, a worthy hydrospectacular in its own right that falls from a side stream into the Cumberland. Your dog will be able to play in the plunge pool here so you won't be in any hurry to start back up. The upper trail traces Eagle Creek upstream to a ridge as the hike becomes very rugged in a spectacular forest. The loop closes before reaching Cumberland Falls so your dog will get one last look before a well-earned return to your car.

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