Scroll down to view Steve Madden’s featured photos for January through March 2023.
All photos in this collection are Copyright 2023 Steven L Madden
SFP330 March 30 2023
Diminutive Delight
My friend pointed out Bishop’s Cap and other flowering plants while we explored White Oak Sinks in the Smoky Mountains near Townsend Tennessee.
I was delighted with my close up photo of this diminutive plant.
SFP330a March 30 2023
Solomon’s Seal
Our 12-mile round trip hike began at the Wye in Townsend and took us the long way to White Oak Sinks in the Smokies.
In the first half mile of Chestnut Top Trail, I saw my first Solomon’s Seal plants of the season. This prolific plant with graceful leaves is most impressive when flowers droop below its slender stem.
SFP323 March 23 2023
Red Trillium Treat
Another Springtime trek along River Bluff Trail treated me to my first Red Trillium flowers of the season.
I also enjoyed tons of Trout Lily blooms beside Clinch River below Norris Dam.
SFP307 March 7 2023
Blue Already
I saw this cluster of Virginia Bluebells at Ijams Nature Center the first week of March. One of the bells-to-be was blue already.
I cannot recall ever seeing Virginia Bluebells in bloom this early in Springtime.
SFP304 March 4 2023
National Natural Landmark
I chased (and caught!) three waterfalls today. Although each is just an hour from my home in Knoxville Tennessee, I had never before seen…
Ozone Falls
Piney Falls (pictured here)
Stinging Fork Falls
Piney Falls is one of fourteen National Natural Landmarks in Tennessee. Piney Falls was given this distinction in 1974 by the U.S. Department of the Interior.
SFP301 March 1 2023
Get ‘Em While They Last
I returned to Norris Dam to retrace some of yesterday’s trails. These flowers and leaves exemplify countless Hepatica plants my friend and I saw along Clear Creek Trail.
Why walk the same trails on consecutive days? Spring wildflowers are like Autumn colors; they come and go quickly. For a hikographer to capture the glorious beauty of Ephemerals like Trout Lily and Hepatica, you gotta get ‘em while they last.
SFP228 February 28 2023
February Flowers
I visited Norris Dam today to walk Songbird Trail mostly for exercise. My trek beside Clinch River was pleasant as always.
On a whim, I ventured past Lenoir Museum onto a trail that leads to Observation Point. I was amazed to see Spring Beauty, Toothwort and Bloodroot plants at peak!
A while later, along Clear Creek Trail, I spotted several Trout Lily flowers!
Spring arrived with a flourish…in February!
SFP228a February 28 2023
Wildflower Bouquet
I love this bouquet of wild Bloodroot flowers!
SFP217 February 17 2023
Pristine Twins
After two inches of rain fell overnight, 256 foot Fall Creek Falls and its neighbor, Coon Creek Falls, appeared so similar as to be twins.
Of course I was impressed by their height and volume. Even more, I was struck by their pristine beauty.
SFP211 February 11 2023
Idyllic Scene
Starting from Cosby Campground, I enjoyed this idyllic scene twice while hiking Lower Mount Cammerer Trail out and back today.
Lower Mount Cammerer is among my favorite trails in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
It is the longer but less strenuous of two trails (the other is Low Gap Trail) that connect Cosby to the Appalachian Trail near Mount Cammerer Fire Tower.
SFP209 February 9 2023
Tennessee Sunrise
I arrived at the Tennessee River in Ijams Nature Center just in time to witness this serene sunrise.
SFP209a February 9 2023
Quick Change Artist
A quarter hour later, the sky above the Tennessee River had transformed into this treasure of gold.
How does He do that?!
SFP206 February 6 2023
Good Ol’ Rocky Top
A friend, also named Steve, annually hikes to Rocky Top in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
I was privileged to join Steve H. and another friend today. Views like this rewarded us.
God only knows how many more times I will witness these North Carolina mountains.
SFP120 January 20 2023
Triple Decker Waterfall
How many waterfalls are in Great Smoky Mountains National Park?
Today, hiking friends introduced me to Quilliams Falls. We reached it by hiking a manway (unmaintained trail) near Sugarlands Visitor Center. The triple decker waterfall is fantastic!
Afterward, I read there are more than 100 waterfalls in the Smokies. About twenty of them are reachable by official, maintained trails.
SFP109 January 9 2023
No Hiking Required
A guide to waterfalls includes these ratings for Bald River Falls.
Brutality: 0
Awesomeness: 10
If possible, Bald River Falls was more awesome than usual during my most recent visit. Your only effort required to see it is to drive part of Cherohala Skyway and Tellico River Road (NFRS 210) to this not-to-be-missed cascade.
SFP109a January 9 2023
Bald River Rapids
We chose to begin at Bald River Falls and hike about five miles upstream. At our turnaround spot, we perched just above these Bald River rapids on a rocky outcropping.
Some of my best hiking the past three years has been along numbered trails within Cherokee National Forest. Trail #88 alongside Bald River is among my favorites.
SFP107 January 7 2023
Hogoheegee River
Nowadays we call it Cherokee Lake.
Long ago, when this region was revered as sacred hunting grounds, a river flowed here that Cherokee warriors called Hogoheegee.
This image is from a spur of Point Lookout Trail at Panther Creek State Park near Talbott Tennessee.
SFP105 January 5 2023
Margaret Was Her Name
I visited Margarette Falls near Greeneville Tennessee again today. Dry Creek ran swiftly after recent rain, so the chair-shaped waterfall displayed exceptional splendor.
Today I learned about Margaret McEwen Doak, after whom this waterfall is named. She was the second wife of Presbyterian minister Samuel Doak who founded Tusculum Academy in 1794.
I also learned about Bailey Falls. Larry, Julie and I climbed, bushwhacked and forded Dry Creek multiple times in search of Bailey Falls. It is truly a hidden gem!
SFP102 January 2 2023
Geologic Wonder
I discovered Natural Arch with Russ, a Kentucky friend, who was also seeing the 50 feet by 100 feet geologic wonder for the first time.
You can see this unobstructed view of Natural Arch from an inviting day use area of Daniel Boone National Forest. From the popular overlook, you can experience the arch up close by making a moderately-difficult two-mile round trip hike.
NOTE: Bring your national parks hang tag with you or be prepared to pay a day use fee.
SFP102a January 2 2023