I posted this info in a similar thread in "Around the Campfire." The local papers here describe the couple as having a "mental disability." The pair told the papers that as they started back from the waterfall (which really is quite pretty), they got confused and followed the trail in the wrong direction. Having been there myself, I can't see how, but my mental disability is more neurotic than cognitive! In any case, they followed the trail upstream until it ran out then followed the ravine until it crossed the Blue Ridge Parkway. They did take shelter under cliffs and rock overhangs, cool huh!?

The falls is only a couple of miles from the picnic area, so lots of folks will see the falls first then come back and picnic after the invigorating walk.

Depending on the extent of their "mental disability" it may be miraculous that they were found at all. At least they had the presence of mind to move in the same direction following the stream/ravine - even if it was in the wrong direction!

Randy