By late August, summer has begun to show its age in Scott County.
The days are still hot, the forest is still deep green and autumn remains several weeks away. But there are subtle hints that change is coming. The evenings are growing shorter, mornings occasionally carry a hint of coolness, and the woods have settled into the quiet rhythm of late summer.
It makes this a surprisingly good time to visit one of Scott County’s most spectacular destinations: Twin Arches Recreation Area.
Located in the western reaches of Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, Twin Arches is impressive in any season. But late summer offers something different. The hardwood canopy is at its fullest, providing welcome shade along much of the hike, and the deep green forest gives the sandstone formations an almost prehistoric appearance.
And the arches themselves are enormous.
The South Arch has a span of 135 feet, a clearance of 70 feet and a deck rising 103 feet above its base. The North Arch spans 93 feet, with a clearance of 51 feet. Together, they rank among the most impressive natural arches in the eastern United States.
Fortunately, you don’t have to be a hardcore hiker to see them.
From the Twin Arches Trailhead, the arches are reached by a trail of about seven-tenths of a mile. The primary challenge is a series of steep wooden stairs. Visitors should also exercise caution around unprotected cliff edges. For someone simply wanting to see the arches and return to the trailhead, the outing can be relatively short.
Those looking for more of an adventure can continue onto the Twin Arches Loop.
The National Park Service lists the loop at approximately 4.6 miles and rates it moderate. The trail descends roughly 400 feet into the valley, passing Charit Creek Lodge before following Station Camp Creek past the historic Jake’s Place homesite. Along the return climb are enormous sandstone rock shelters that have been used at various times by Native Americans, early settlers and niter miners.
Late August adds its own character to the hike. Cicadas buzz from the treetops, summer vegetation crowds the edges of the trail, and the shaded hollows offer a noticeable escape from the heat. A local tourism guide specifically recommends Twin Arches as a late-summer hike because of its thick, cooling canopy.
Bring plenty of water, insect repellent and sturdy shoes. Starting earlier in the morning is also a good idea before afternoon temperatures climb.
Most importantly, don’t rush.
Stand beneath South Arch and look upward. Walk through the narrow passageways around the sandstone. Listen to the woods. Imagine the countless people who passed beneath the same cliffs generations before there was a national park.
Fall will soon transform the Big South Fork into one of the most colorful landscapes in Tennessee. But there is something worth seeing before that transformation begins.
Late summer has a beauty all its own — and there may be no better place in Scott County to experience it than beneath the Twin Arches.
