Chasing waterfalls in Jones Gap State Park

Last weekend I went out with Cory for a hike. We spent the entire day climbing waterfalls and exploring Jones Gap State Park. It was such an ethereal experience to hang out with him.

When we were climbing our down from the first falls (on Hospital Rock Trail), I stepped on a salamander. I’m not sure who jumped more, the poor creature or me. For a few moments, I thought that I had just stepped on a snake. All the hairs on my back stuck out.

By the time we finished the first trail, we were somewhat exhausted. The trails out there are steep and, even on a cool day, make you sweat your ass off. As we started the most popular trail (Rainbow Falls Trail), we kept passing strangers who seemed to be completely exhausted.

Don’t get me wrong, Rainbow Falls is quite a climb. However, it’s only around a mile and a half and takes about an hour-ish to climb. It was odd seeing people so tired from such a short hike.

When we reached the waterfall, Cory slowed down from what I imagine was glee and amazement. The temperature seemed to drop 20 degrees and the falls are huge. Online, I read that the water drops 100 ft and it forms into another waterfall. It’s quite a sight!

We spent a long time resting on the massive rocks at the base of the falls. Hikers came and left, taking their instagram picture and leaving. Cory and I just lay there in some bliss.

The happiness felt weird at first, it shocked me. It was like "Oh! You’re really happy!”. It was as if I had just noticed, for the first time, what it was like to feel that way. The feeling felt foreign, like an odd surprise. It was almost casual. As if the happiness had been there the whole time and I had just realized it.

Time passed and eventually another hiker asked if we wanted our photo taken in front of Rainbow Falls. Thus, the second picture above was done. Unfortunately we didn’t get any pictures together with Jones Gap Falls or the other waterfalls we found.