The Smokies are estimated to be anywhere from 200 to 300 millions years old. Prehistoric people also occupied these mountains, but it wasn’t until the 20^th century that human activity started to affect the natural course of events.

Although the idea to create a national park in the Smokies came about in the late 1890s, efforts to create it didn’t become successful until the 1920s. Motorists actually played the biggest role in the push for a national park alongside transport organizations who were interested in developing roads so that they could drive through the beautiful scenery.

Joining the National Park System was far from easy for the Great Smoky Mountains. Even with money, the land for the park was difficult to buy as it was mainly owned by hundreds of small farmers, and a handful of larger timber and paper companies.

The Sinks is a scenic roadside stop on the Little River Road that one takes to wind up and through the park towards one of the visitor’s centres.

 At the Sinks there is a great view of the waterfall but very strong recommendations that however tempting the water looks on a hot day, the currents are very dangerous and visitors should not jump in and try to swim. Sadly, there have been many deaths here for people underestimating the currents.