Abrams Falls via Little Bottoms manway

[smokies_hiker]

Did this one (one of my favorites) yesterday with a friend. Starting from the hikers' parking area at Abrams Creek ranger station, we hiked to and thru the campground, then a little ways out Cooper Road before turning onto Little Bottoms. I managed to do the steep climb up that ridge right at the start without stopping, which is always my goal on that stretch; note that I didn't say I did it quickly! Had a pleasant conversation with a gentleman from Pennsylvania, then another with a man at the Little Bottoms/Hatcher Mtn junction who was watching four backpacks while the young men he was backpacking with went to look at the falls.
At Abrams Falls itself there were only 2 people when we got there and a total of 5 during our 1/2 hour stay. The concert in Cades Cove that evening had cut off most all the hiker traffic from that direction. Saw three otters while we were there - a first for me in the Smokies!
Warm and humid all day; can't say that I climbed that ridge on the way out non-stop! But I still love this route, especially since some great maintenance was done on Little Bottoms a couple years ago. Pictures are over in the photo section.