RATtreks

Rocky Fork Winter Jaunt – 1-15-2011

Forced out of the Rat`s Hole by a severe case of cabin fever, it was decided we would take a hike to somewhere, anywhere, to get out in the woods. I chose to go on a short hike to Rocky Fork and wander up what we call the ‘high road‘ to get a different perspective on the Stonehenge Cliffs on Whitehouse Mountain. Due to being what he called ‘paralyzed’, my friend Bol’Dar was unable to go but, our friend ‘Fireball’ Mel (who was also feeling a bit ‘paralyzed’ but for different reasons) was able to attend. After the usual late start of around 10:30 a.m., we arrived at the trailhead around 11 ish. There was still plenty of snow and ice to be found and it was a bit cold in the shade but the sun was already starting to shine above the cliff tops as we trudged our way up the old road. The Rocky Fork Creek was raging as always and the cascades were totally frozen with ample supplies of their own ice and snow. It was actually very pretty and the new insulated waterproof boots I was trying out did a great job keeping my feet warm and dry despite their being a half size too big !

View of Whitehouse Mountain and Stonehenge Cliffs from the 'high road'

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Rocky Fork and Big Branch Falls – 12-18-2010

There were no major trips taken this weekend due to my being infected with some alien germ that had me feeling quite sickly. That and the below freezing temps with plenty of snow and ice in the mountains, however, I did manage to drive to Rocky Fork and take some photo’s of the many waterfalls and cascades found near the road there. The road was still solid ice and I almost wished that I had taken my four wheel drive instead of the car, but luckily I did not have any trouble. Starting at the upper falls first, I made my way down the creek stopping at each set of falls and cascades. The water level was very high so it was a good time to be there.

Upper Rocky Fork Falls

Upper Rocky Fork Falls

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Rocky Fork to WhiteHouse Mtn. Cliffs aka: Stonehenge – 12-11-2010

I knew when Bol’Dar and I first climbed to the summit of Whitehouse Mountain in Rocky Fork and were unable to descend down to the clifftops of what we call ‘Stonehenge’ on 10-19-2010, that we would be back there soon. This time we would be accompanied by our friends Melissa aka ‘Fireball’ and Dano. I had not formally met Dano before and Bol’Dar had not actually met Mel or Dano, so this was going to be a great hiking venture. We all met at Hairnt-quarters around 9:30 am and was at the trailhead and hiking up the snow covered road by 10:30 am . On our last trip here in October, the leaves were alive with Fall color and it was actually very warm and sunny. On this trip however, it would be quite the opposite, as it was cloudy and around freezing with snow covered trails that got deeper the further you went up. The creek was roaring even more so than the last time and the snow covered terrain made it a pleasing environment to hike and get some decent photos. There are several large cascades along Rocky Fork Creek as you make your way up the old road behind the gate, not to mention the lofty,  jagged cliffs that tower above you on the left side. You can’t help but stop and take pictures of every one of them every time so, please allow some extra time when hiking there !

Whitehouse Mountain and Cliffs (aka: Stonehenge)

It was a chilly start to the hike, not to mention the many frozen ice formations we passed as we made our way up the old road beside the creek. It was easy walking the road but we were soon to take a right and head up the unmaintained trail that goes up and around to the backside of what is called Whitehouse Mountain.

Ice Formations

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Longarm Branch and Wilderness Falls 11-29-2010

What turned out to be the last day of the warm and sunny weather of Indian Summer before the changeover to more winter-like conditions, was spent hiking with my friends Bol’Dar and Dave on a trip to the Longarm Branch Falls and Wilderness Falls. These are located in the Clark’s Creek area inside the Sampson Mountain Wilderness area. Although there was not much water flowing, Dave had not yet been to the upper Longarm Branch Falls and we wanted to take him to the Wilderness Falls on the way back in order to obtain a GPS waypoint for them. This was needed in order to list them with the TN. Landforms site and allow us to name them since Bol’Dar was the one who first discovered them. We did succeed in this and they are now listed there.

Middle Wilderness Falls 150 '

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Hell Hollow, Small, and Delsatch Falls – 11-22-2010

With only one day for my ‘merit badges‘ and sore muscles to heal since my last adventure to California Creek Falls, and with the continuing above average temps, it was decided by my hiking friend Dave and myself, that we would go on what was planned to be a short hike to Hell Hollow Falls and Small Falls located in Clarks Creek which is within the Sampson Mountain Wilderness  Area. Of course as you know things don’t always go as planned !

Old tractor hood found along Chigger Branch

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California Creek Falls and Cody Falls 11-20-2010

It has been many years since I  abused various off road vehicles and trails in the Rich Mountain area located in Unicoi county, going to such places as Bumpass Cove and California Fields. My fellow ‘waterfaller’ friend Dave, asked me if I knew how to get to California Creek as he was interested in finding the waterfalls located there. Of course I knew the way but, it seems a friend of his, Jimmy Hilton, who was raised in the area and whose father had actually worked in the mines there, had recently shown him the best way to get there from above the upper falls. Most people risk wading across the Nolichucky River to where California Creek enters into it, and then proceed upstream past the lower falls to Cody Falls and the upper falls. We decided to start well above all of these and work our way downstream instead. This turned out to be a good idea as we ended up discovering some nice cascades and another waterfall above the upper falls that are not yet named or listed.

Falls found above upper California Creek Falls

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Long Branch Falls 11-13-2010

Indian Summer is still hanging in there with sunny days and warm temps, so this past Saturday found my son Tyler, my friend Bol’Dar, and myself back in the Rocky Fork area. The creek had even more water flowing than our previous trip, although it had not rained much, but our destination was located off what we call the ‘high road‘ and then to the curve in the road where the Long Branch creek and trail enters. This is a little over half a mile from the gate. There are remnants of an old log road that leads into this hollow but some parts are overgrown and rough going where other parts are passable.

Cascades along Rocky Fork Creek

Cascades along Rocky Fork Creek

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Sulphur Spring Branch Falls 11-09-2010

I recently had the good fortune of going on another hiking adventure with my friend Dave Aldridge. He is an avid fellow ‘waterfaller’ and has been trying to find the elusive Sulphur Spring Branch Falls that are located on the South Holston Lake side of Holston Mountain in Sullivan County. There is not much information available about these falls and even the TN Landforms website had a question mark beside them and the GPS location they list is inaccurate,,,,until now ! Many have tried to find these falls and failed. The only photo I have found is the one on the TN Landforms site by William Stowell but, there are no directions and the GPS waypoint was incorrect. On Dave’s first attempt, he was out on a scouting mission and, the weather turned bad so he had to get off the mountain. The route he was taking (using the only information and GPS available) was not a very good way to go, and further research led him to believe that there was an easier way from an old forest service road and horse trail located closer to where the falls were supposed to be. Armed with that information, some maps, and a positive attitude,we set out to find these waterfalls.

Sulpur Spring Branch Falls (upper)

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Upper Sill Branch Falls 11-02-2010

I recently went on a day hike with my new friend Dave Aldridge to the Upper Sill Branch Falls which are located in Clarks Creek inside the Sampson Mountain Wilderness area. Although there is not much water flowing right now, it was still a great day to be in the woods and any day in the Sill Branch area is a good day. Due to the cold morning temps we waited until 10 a.m. before heading out. The sun was up and it was a beautiful day. Even though many of the colors have already gone and bunches of leaves are already on the ground, there is still so much beauty to see. To me, even the faded colors are awesome especially when they are in contrast to the evergreen trees and blue sky around them.

Meatgrinder Ridge showing Fall colors

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Devil Fork Falls and Rocky Fork 10-19-2010

It has been several months since I have been on what I consider a truly awesome adventure  (Buckeye Falls in March of 2010 comes to mind) but, this past week has fulfilled that quest. I had been out taking pics of the Fall colors the weekend before and ended up in the Devil Fork area looking for the waterfalls there. Not to be confused with the Devil’s Fork Falls in the Sampson Mtn. Wilderness area, but the one on SR 352 that leads to Devil Fork Gap where the Appalachian Trail crosses. I had found several awesome cascades that weekend but fell just short of the actual Devil Fork Falls. This prompted me to come back there as soon as possible,  so on 10-19-2010, my friend Bol’Dar and myself did just that. After our usual late morning start of around 10 a.m., we arrived on Devil Fork Road (SR 352) about 11 a.m. or so. Parking at the water supply access road, (about 1500 feet from the beginning of the road) we then walked farther up the paved road about 500 feet or so to where you can see the falls below the left side of the highway. This is where I left off last time beside the hornets nest, so we went down the bank there which leads right to the falls.

Devil Fork Falls (lower)

Devil Fork Falls (upper)

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