“Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it. The river was cut by the world’s great flood and runs over rocks from the basement of time. On some of the rocks are timeless raindrops. Under the rocks are the words, and some of the words are theirs…”
Norman MacLean
Print Size: 16 x 20
The trail is on the old rail line and runs past abandoned cottages once leased to tourists.
Print Size: 16 x 20
Print Size: 16 x 20
The forest opens up to the sight and sound of the Little River.
Print Size: 16 x 20
One hundred years ago Elkmont was home to the Little River Lumber Company. A rail line moved lumber out of Elkmont and brought tourists in during the summer. These Knoxville residents built cottages along the Little River and Jakes Creek.
Print Size: 16 x 20
Print Size: 16 x 20
Water rushes past rocks formed from “the basement of time.”
Print Size: 11 x 14
Print Size: 16 x 20
Print Size: 16 x 20
Print Size: 16 x 20
Print Size: 16 x 20
Print Size: 16 x 20
Print Size: 11 x 14
Print Size: 11 x 14
This cabin was removed sometime after 2015. Only one cabin remains from the many that were built along the river
Print Size: 16 x 20
The forces of nature lay siege to these old abandoned cabins along the Little River
Print Size: 11 x 14
Print Size: 11 x 14
The confluence of Jakes Creek and the Little River formed the Elkmont Valley. The cottages along Jakes Creek formed a tourist community called Daisy Town. Daisy Town thrived at the same time as the lumber business.
Print Size: 16 x 20
Complexity of the forest
Print Size: 16 x 20
Print Size: 16 x 20
Print size: 11 x 14
The Little River originates on the north slope of Clingmans Dome in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The river gains strength as it moves through the three forks area and then at Elkmont it joins Jake’s Creek. These photographs were made along the Little River Trail and in the historic Daisy Town community. The landscape is visually extraordinary, spiritual, and inspiring.