Hidden Treasures #3

Welcome to the third installment of our exploration of some of the most beautiful, off-the-beaten-path places in the Central and Southern Appalachian Mountains. In this issue, we hand picked some water-related hot spots perfect for late summer days: hikes, waterfalls, swimming holes and everything in between — areas that are perfect for dipping your toes, or your whole self, into the water.

Arnold Valley Pool

Photo by Kyle Green

Little Stoney Falls

Photo by Dennis Mott

The 2.8-mile Little Stony National Recreation Trail, located in the Jefferson National Forest, follows Little Stony Creek and passes by three waterfalls. A fairly easy hike, this trail is a good alternative to the more strenuous Devils Fork Loop nearby. Little Stony Falls, a 24-foot vertical waterfall cascading into a 10-foot pool below, offers many scenic views and is a whitewater kayaking destination for very advanced boaters. A bridge stretches across the top of the falls, allowing hikers to stand directly above the rushing water. The pool below is also a great spot to cool down in the late summer months. For hikers seeking a more challenging trip, the trail connects to the Chief Benge Scout Trail, an 18.7-mile trail that encompases seven different trailheads including High Knob, an iconic Appalachian lookout. — AN

More Info: Located near Dungannon, Va. Visit: waterfall-picture-guide.com/upper-little-stoney-falls.html

Ridgeline Pipeline Construction Impacts in Rural East Tennessee

Neighbors share about noise, unpredictable construction schedules and other disruptions due to methane gas pipeline construction in East Tennessee. The 122-mile Ridgeline Expansion Project, constructed and owned by East Tennessee Natural Gas, a subsidiary of Enbridge, a multibillion-dollar Canadian fossil fuel company, was approved to go into service Nov. 1.

Three men crowd around a laptop on a foldout table in a warehouse that also holds a cardboard sign that reads "Sam: Chief of Staff" and a vase of flowers

Neighbors Help Neighbors

A photo essay that celebrates the volunteer spirit of the grassroots group Hurricane Helene WNC and speaks to the resourcefulness, collaboration and hard work embodied by thousands and thousands of volunteers, first responders and aid workers across the region after Hurricane Helene.

The Resonator, a century-old modified pump organ, is the centerpiece of one of the House of Art’s permanent exhibits, surrounded by creepy computer junk and red and blue and green neon lights

Halloween Approaches, and Night School Is in Session

The House of Art in Bluefield, West Virginia, looks like a haunted tower, making it the perfect location for its sixth annual haunt event: Night School. The Night School will be open every Friday and Saturday night through Oct. 31.

Rows of vendors under pop-up tents are filling a grassy area at the annual Affirming Sumner Pride celebration in Middle Tennessee. Pride flags are hanging on some booths

‘The Most Perfect Act of Love’

Hundreds of people attended the second annual Affirming Sumner Pride celebration on a 24-acre farm dubbed “Fruity Farm” in Bethpage, Sumner County, Tennessee.

An Indiana bat in a white-gloved hand with a black background

Signs of Life: Endangered Bats Found in Nantahala for First Time in More Than a Decade

In the Nantahala National Forest, a team of biologists spotted Indiana bats, an endangered species that hasn’t been seen in North Carolina for the last 11 years.

Dan Buchanan stands in front of Double Island Volunteer Fire Department's fire engine

‘First Line of Defense’

During Hurricane Helene and its aftermath, rural fire departments and other first responder hubs played critical roles in keeping their communities safe, even without power and cut off from outside support for days or weeks after the storm. Two years later, plenty of work remains to ensure these hubs have the resources they need to operate day to day and be ready when emergencies or natural disasters strike.

Hidden Treasures #3 – Virginia

Arnold Valley Pool