Narrows of the Harpeth Trails, Harpeth River State Park, Cheatham County, Tennessee

(Click to enlarge pictures)

 

     Narrows of the Harpeth is a pretty amazing place. It’s part of a bigger preserve called Harpeth River State Park, which includes several different sites along a significant stretch of the Harpeth. You can go canoeing, kayaking, hiking, picnicking, do some fishing, hunt geocaches…there’s lots to do, and lots to see. Here Peej is checking out a small cave.

 

          Of course the central feature here is the Narrows tunnel, which was constructed by pioneer Montgomery Bell (namesake of the State Park just up the highway) to power his iron forging operations on the opposite side of the ridge. Here Peej and I visit the input tunnel, and on this particular trip, the river was very much in flood, as you can see…

 

          . From the parking area it’s a short walk to a trail that leads up to the top of the ridge. Pretty much everywhere you look there are spectacular vistas.

 

     My rugged outdoorsman is still not quite to the top, but already you can see just how gorgeous it gets. For a two mile round trip, this trail has a mighty big payoff…

 

          

…and this is it. You’re probably about 125 feet above the parking area here, and perhaps another 25-30 above the river and the surrounding floodplain. The view is tremendous! And I’m not talking about my “glamour shot” on the right either. Peej took that and somehow he managed to catch my good side. It has not been done since…

 

     The Nashville Tennessean ran a story a few years ago where they selected the best places to view fall colors within a hundred miles of the city. I was pleased to find I’d been to all of them! As near as I can recall they included Martha’s Pretty Point along the Virgin Falls Trail, Ladyfinger Bluff, Angel Falls Overlook and the Honey Creek Overlook at Big South Fork…and right here at the Narrows. The view in the other (downstream) direction seen in this shot is somewhat less impressive only when taken in comparison to the other side. This viewpoint is almost directly above the outlet tunnel.

 

     As previously noted, the river was very much in flood on this trip, and the roar of the torrent bursting from the outlet tunnel was just awesome. P. J. was suitably impressed. Note the sign on the tree: “No Swimming”. No kidding!

 

          It is a truly astonishing sight, this, a feast for the senses. The sight, the sound, even the feel of the wind and the spray…it is staggering.

 

     A close-up of the boil coming out of the outlet tunnel.

 

     Yes, they do allow kayaking and canoeing, even when the river is in flood. I should say especially when the river is in flood, because I bet it’s pretty amazing from that viewpoint too. We shall have to try it someday!

 

 

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