Stillhouse Hollow Falls State Natural Area

• Stillhouse Hollow Falls State Natural Area official website
• Tennessee Landforms: Stillhouse Hollow Falls

The current study is related to the stub article of the location “Stillhouse Hollow Falls State Natural Area”. The report will propose different sections of the titles and will provide a description of each section significantly. ABOUT STILLHOUSE HOLLOW FALLS STATE NATURAL AREA Overview Contemplating the Stillhouse Hollow Falls State Natural Area, it is a natural area located in Summertown, Maury County, Tennessee. It is a state in the south- the eastern United States and holds thirty-sixth position in terms of areas and sixteenth position in relation with the population among its fifty states. Further, it is surrounded by eight states including Kentucky in the north side, Arkansas in the west, Missouri in the northwest direction, Virginia in the northeast, and finally, North Carolina to the east direction. In addition to this, the eastern side of the states is being dominated by the Appalachian Mountains and the western border of Tennessee is being formed by the very popular Mississippi River. Moreover, the capital city of the state is Nashville which is being regarded as one of its major cities comprising a population of around 670,820 in the year 2019(Molloy, 2019). However, the second-largest city of Tennessee is Memphis which also had a population of 651,073 in the same year. There are many attractions and beautiful places that can be visited by the visitors in this state and one of the most visited and loved places is Stillhouse Hollow Falls. It is one of the pleasant and beautiful places to be visited by the nature lovers and those who desire a nature fix. One of the major features of this area is Hollow Falls is a seventy-five foot and approximately twenty-three meters waterfall. Additionally, it is located roughly two-thirds of a mile from the point of entry. The effusive waterfalls pools into flawlessly placid swimming holes underneath. Other than this, the waterfalls also flow towards the floor of the forest in a natural, attractive, and lovely scene. The inhabitants residing in the nearby areas love to visit this place and feel the calmness in such magnificent waterfalls. Furthermore, the Stillhouse Hollow Falls State Natural Area was developed by Tennessee Parks and Greenways Foundation (TPGF) and after some time it was sold to the state of Tennessee. In the year 2006 in the month of June, the area was elected as a natural area underneath the Natural Areas Preservation Act of 1971. This natural area is positioned approximately seventy miles from Nashville, Tennessee, and is quite famous for bird watchers, hikers as well as rock climbers (Foster, 2011). Moreover, most of the hikers are being motivated to take the Stillhouse Hollow Falls trail which helps the visitors to visit the popular waterfall to just 2/3 of a mile. Even the trails of the falls are lined with all kinds of plants, spices, flora, and multi-colored exhibitions of wallflowers. Directions In order to reach Stillhouse Hollow Falls, the travelers or visitors have to take I-65 south from Nashville and after that, need to take the Saturn Parkway in the direction of Columbia. On highway number 43, it is advisable to take right and go further approximately 21 miles. The parking area or place of the natural area is on the right side as soon as visitors pass over the Judge Workman Bridge. In consequence, the Stillhouse Hollow Falls is near about 3 miles in the northeast direction of Summertown on highway number 43 on the left side just beside the bridge. Wonderful winter waterfalls Stillhouse Hollow Falls in Tennessee are generally more beautiful and breath-taking in the winter season. Sometimes, the view is spectacular. In the leafless season when most of the plants, flowers, and trees are not thwacking up and are also not storing the water from the rains, more water runoff in the streams and this is quite pleasant to watch. Therefore, streams in this area run more reliably and steadily and make the hollow waterfalls a decent picturesque destination in the season which is generally cooler. Even sometimes the winter season also has good probabilities of rain events and this can bring on the issues related to flooding which might prove to be dangerous (Smith & Campbell, 2017). Therefore, proper caution and carefulness are required while traveling and visiting there. Nevertheless, after the rainy season, there is a good time to visit Stillhouse Hollow Falls. During the winter season, the water in the natural area diminishes greatly and the spectator can enjoy the magnificent views. Furthermore, when the temperature in the area is below the freezing point, the waterfalls become a solid formation of ice. During this time, the hollow waterfalls seem to be very wonderful and visitors can get an opportunity to see the fall in its frozen splendor. However, when the temperature becomes warmer, icicles of waterfalls start melting and sometimes they even fall. This might prove a very unsafe and perilous time for the visitors to visit there.

Since Stillhouse Hollow Falls is protected under the Natural Areas Preservation Act, there are many rules and regulations which are being enforced. For any criminal act, there is a penalty of $100 per day and a maximum civil penalty of $10,000 per day. Other than this, the area is required to be visited only during the day time and deem to be closed at dusk. For the hikers, it is obligatory to stay on the trails, and off-trail hiking is a publishable act as per the law. Moreover, it is important for the travelers and visitors to make sure that they do not pluck flowers and must leave them as it is for the pleasure of others (Smith & Campbell, 2017). Thus, collecting and plucking off any plant and flower is prohibited in the area. Additionally, any kind of alcohol is not allowed in Stillhouse Hollow Falls and even in the parking lot. Last but not the least, it is mandatory for the visitors to pack out their trash and mist avoid any kind of litter.

Speaking in relation to the history related to Stillhouse Hollow Falls, it was elected as a natural area of the state in the year 2006. It was acquired by the foundation known as Tennessee Parks and Greenways Foundation (TPGF) in the same year for $130,000 (corresponding to $164,871 in 2019). Moreover, it is also protected permanently under the NAPA (Natural Areas Preservation Act) of 1971. The natural area is further being sold to the State of Tennessee for $97,500 (corresponding to $123,653 in 2019).In the year 1796; Tennessee became the sixteenth state of the union. Additionally, the state is only 112 miles wide however springs around 432 miles from the Appalachian Mountains boundary with North Carolina in the east direction to popular rivers in the west (Llewellin& Molloy, 2016).TPGF is nothing but a non-profit organization related to the land which is founded in the year 1998 for the purpose of protecting the natural as well as scenic land in Tennessee. In addition to this, it is also recognized as the LTAC (Land Trust Accreditation Commission) by the Land Trust Alliance. Furthermore, this foundation is also reinforced by the donations from the members, charity from individuals along with some gifts from the land of private property owners. Thus, in regard to Stillhouse Hollow waterfalls, the main mission of the foundation is to preserve this natural area and monuments like waterfalls, caves, and cliffs (Tennessee Valley Authority, 1938). Preservation of this area will help in creating moderately small reserves which are not ecologically sustainable in separation, therefore Tennessee Parks and Greenways Foundation also intends to develop passages of conserved land in order to associate these characteristics as well as superior reserves, for example, state parks & national parks which are also known as greenways. Subsequent to this, the TPGF also offered a track development to the friends of Maury County Parks Along with the Tennessee Trails Association which assisted the inaugural of the natural zone to the community in the month of June in the year 2006. The allowance money was utilized for developing the parking area which is quite small, for offering signage, building the kiosk, and lastly, for developing the tracks.

Articulating about the area of Stillhouse Hollow Falls, it is a 90-acre state natural area which is situated nearly twenty-one miles southwest of Columbia and around 3 miles of Summertown off Hwy US 43 in Maury County, Tennessee. In addition to this, this waterfall is on the Western Highland Rim in the turning point of the river Duck. Further, the Stillhouse Hollow Falls got its name from its major noteworthy characteristic i.e. Hollows waterfall which can be viewed through taking a walk of around two/third of a mile sideways to the track of Stillhouse Hollow Falls. Additionally, the track also passes by an unidentified stream that formulates a trivial picturesque flow prior to falling almost seventy-five feet over the falls (Molloy, 2019). Because of this fall, a deep hollow is being created beneath the falls which is being enclosed through sheer gradients wherein there is an emergence of wet-weather springs making a contribution to an amusing environment assisting a multi-colored spring wild plant exhibition of trillium, wild geranium, spiderwort, phlox as well as numerous supplementary classes. Underpinning this, the parking area of the Stillhouse Hollow Falls is nearby three miles north of Summertown. The point of entry of the waterfalls is a rock-strew road having a sheer hike into a grit parking lot which can house almost ten to fifteen cars. This signifies that the parking is very limited in this state natural area. Pertaining to this, the folks and visitors park their vehicles on non-designated zones in order to step-in in the location. In regards to the geology of this particular area, it formulates a picturesque natural topography like horizontal shale-bottom watercourses, percolates, small and big waterfalls which supports in shaping the dismembered landscape of the region. Consequently, it can be well-attributed that the Stillhouse Hollow Falls which is spread approximately in a 90-acre the area is considered as a gem in Maury County which is quite stunning and family-friendly as well. Talking about the track, it is being regarded as moderate and is quite good for people falling in the entire age category (Stillhouse Hollow Falls State Natural Area, 2020). In total, it is around one/two miles and almost all the people make use of it for countryside excursions, walking, and hiking. Even the dogs and other pets are permitted on the state natural area track; however, they must be retained on a chain or string.

The very starting of the track passes by an attractive shrub layer of oak-leaf hydrangea, Rhododendron, downy mock-orange, and deer berry. In addition to this, in the lower hills forests and side to the stream, there is a covering of huge sugar maples, beeches, white oaks as well as tulip poplars under which there are different varieties of small bushes such as alder, spicebush, and so forth. Moreover, beneath the waterfalls, there are a large variety of bladdernut and dogwood (Stillhouse Hollow Falls Class I Scenic-Recreational State Natural Area, 2020). Lastly, the nearby areas of the upper slopes include large oaks plus hickories. In addition to this, Summertown, Maury County, Tennessee where the Stillhouse Hollow Falls is located have wide-ranging terrain as well as soils. Pertaining to this, the area has a profusion of flora encompassing around one hundred and fifty types of native trees. The state tree is Tulip and many other trees as mentioned above like red oaks, pine, and chestnut black are commonly found in the east direction of the state (Tennessee, 2020). Besides, walnut, cottonwood, and gum maple also grow plentiful in this area. Mountain laurel and blossoms of wild azalea support in creating a blaze of color in the mountains. There are around three hundred native Tennessee plants such as digitalis as well as ginseng which are being used for therapeutic drives. Nevertheless, in the year 2003, there were around twenty species of plants and trees that were registered as endangered or scarce in Tennessee, for example, sandwort and Blue Ridge goldenrod. Talking about it further, the ecosystem of the Summertown, Maury County offers habitats for many types of birds, species of turtles, and insects. Even bats, red squirrels, foxes, bears, jumping mice, mussels, chipmunks, and frogs are very common in this area (Tennessee, 2020). Furthermore, animals in this town are generally found in high elevation, cave, and river ecosystems. Besides this, different mammals also live in it or travel by the high elevation ecosystem of the southernmost section of the Appalachian Mountains such as eastern chipmunks, red squirrels, and spotted skunks. Moreover, the Stillhouse Hollow Falls also offers habitats for mice and bobcats.

Academics Books

Molloy, J. (2019). Hiking Waterfalls Tennessee: A Guide to the State's Best Waterfall Hikes. Falcon Guides. Johnny Molloy's book “Hiking Waterfalls Tennessee: A Guide to the State's Best Waterfall Hikes' ' encompasses thorough descriptions related to hiking, maps and photos of around 100 most scenic waterfall hikes of state. It also comprises history of these natural areas along with local trivia. Furthermore, the source is credible as the authoris one of America's most experienced as well as prolific guidebook authors. Some part of this book is addressed in the current writing as well. Majorly it is included in the third section of the report. Tennessee Valley Authority. (1938). The Scenic Resources of the Tennessee Valley A Descriptive and Pictorial Inventory. U.S. Government Printing Office. This book is being published by Tennessee Valley Authority which includes details, description and pictorial inventory of the scenic resource of Tennessee Valley. It is being published by the U.S. Government Printing Office and thus, it is quite an authentic source and worthy of reading. The details taken from this book are being included in the second section of the current report. Foster, J. (2011). Birding Trails Texas Prairies and Pineywoods, Panhandle, 216 Trails for the Avid Birder. Sandhill Crane Press. Jim Foster’s book, “Birding Trails Texas Prairies and Pineywoods, Panhandle, 216 Trails for the Avid Birder” describes the region related to Prairies and Pineywoods, the author also explains the trails of Stillhouse Hollow falls with a number of key birds and flora and the best time to visit there. It also includes 300 trail maps along with the birder's checklist. Additionally, the source is credible because the author of this book is noted native of Texan and birder who specializes in writing along with photography. Some part of this book is being mentioned in the first section of the report. Llewellin, C., &Molloy, J. (2016). 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: San Antonio and Austin. Menasha Ridge Press. The book being written by Llewellin and Molloy provides guidance to the hikers about the best trails to be found in the Texas Hill Country. Charlie is a writer and photographer and has contributed to different sorts of publication. Even, the other author i.e. Johnny Molloy is one of America's most experienced as well as prolific guidebook authors. Therefore, this source is very credible and a portion of the section is included in the second section of the report. Smith, L.J., &Campbell, J.B. (2017). Tennessee State Parks.Arcadia Publishing Incorporated. This book offers a deep insight about the state parks of Tennessee and the manner in which these parks were created. The authors of the books Smith and Campbell give invitation to the readers to determine and learn the special place of each and every park in the history of Tennessee as well as its landscape. Both the author holds master's degree and are adjunct atColumbia State Community College and thus this reference is quite authentic. Portion of the data from this book is included in the first part of the research report.

Other references

Stillhouse Hollow Falls State Natural Area. (2020). Retrieved from https://www.tnvacation.com/local/summertown-stillhouse-hollow-falls-state-natural-area This website provides a brief and clear information about the Stillhouse Hollow Falls. It significantly includes the area, geography and other facilities present at the state natural area. Furthermore, details in relation with the site management and public access is also offered in the site. Other than this, the current source being chosen is credible as it is authorised and published by the Tennessee Valley Authority. The major part of the information of this website is used in the third section of the report. Stillhouse Hollow Falls Class I Scenic-Recreational State Natural Area. (2020). Retrieved fromhttps://www.tn.gov/environment/program-areas/na-natural-areas/natural-areas-middle-region/middle-region/na-na-stillhouse-hollow-falls.html The current article is being published in the Tennessee department of environment & conservation. It includes details about all the natural areas related to middle region of Tennessee. It offers complete information and data about the area, history, map, flora and natural scenic beauty about the Stillhouse Hollow Falls. As it is published by the Tennessee department of environment & conservation, the source is quite authentic. Pertaining to this, this source has been used in the final section of the report. Tennessee. (2020). Retrieved fromhttp://www.city-data.com/states/Tennessee-Flora-and-fauna.html The above presented article is published in the site of city data which encompasses all the details related to flora and fauna of the area. It provides extensive data about the types of birds and many other species being found in Tennessee. Animals, mammals, different varieties of trees, plants and related wildlife are presented briefly. It is a useful source and since it is information related to the city it is valid to use this in the final section of the report.