Jerry Summers
It may come as a surprise to some readers that there are allegedly 39 waterfalls in 25 states with the name of Bridal Veil Falls. In Tennessee Bridal Veil Falls is located on the campus (domain) of the 13,000 acres liberal arts college at the University of the South at Sewanee.
Approximately 11,800 acres remain as natural habitat that are open to the public without any charge to enjoy. Man’s (& woman’s, etc.) best friends are also welcome as long as they are on a leash.
A confidential source and traveler to the location relates that in August 2023 the site is now open after Covid closure.
From the parking area at Lake Cheston the trip to the falls and return is 2.2 miles with an increase in elevation of around 492 feet.
Many of the varieties of trees adjacent to the trail are named on wooden signs.
A 19-page descriptive article with photos titled “Hiking the Domain: Bridal Veil Falls” (2018) was published on Woodpress.com by 70-year-old grandmother, Ruth Wright, which provides an excellent source and documentation of a trip to the site.
Local hiking authority, John Benson, in 2009 listed his 10 best local trips ranging from 1 mile to 20 miles in Sewanee Magazine that included Bridal Veil Falls styled “Sewanee’s Best Day Hikes”.
When flowing the falls descend out of the mountain side as a stream of 27 feet and then drops another 25 feet into a sinkhole.
Prior to the rise in the cost of sugar and growth of cannabis Sewanee students were warned to stay away from any areas where any local manufacturers/entrepreneurs might be engaged in their time old craft on the mountain of making shine or growing pot.
Despite a diligent search, no document has been found as to the origin of the adoption of the name to the local venue which obviously is a popular choice in America for waterfalls.
(A trip to the domain in person or just through the aforementioned website is a pleasant side trip away from the ever-expanding traveling snarl on Interstate 24 W to the University of the South.)
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You can reach Jerry Summers at jsummers@summersfirm.com