Man, I am so glad I did this! We hike the parks at home (Arkansas) frequently, but I didn’t want to venture into unfamiliar terrain by myself. So, going on a guided hike was the answer... and Dylan was a fantastic guide! We started out on the Chimney Tops but took a left a ways in to a less-traveled trail. The reward for going the more rugged route was a waterfall and creek that was completely secluded! It was so incredibly beautiful! The rhododendrons were in full bloom creating flower-strewn paths everywhere... and at one of the creeks, I actually could see the smoky mist that gives the area it’s name hanging in the air.
All along the way, Dylan shared his in-depth knowledge of the park with me... things about its history and the flora and fauna. I definitely learned a lot on my hike today, too, which I think is super cool! He was also very gracious about maintaining a pace that I could keep up with, and I appreciated that!
Being in the woods near creeks and waterfalls is my happy place... and between the intense beauty of the park itself and having a guide with such an obvious appreciation for the park and so much knowledge about it made this hike absolutely perfect! Thank you!