RATtreks

Coyote Falls – 12-21-2017

The next thing on our list would be Coyote Falls. After waiting a long time for water levels to recover enough to make it worth visiting, we finally got our chance. I had not been to these falls in over 20 years and did not have any pics of them as we rarely carried cameras back then. Tyler had never been there so, on a chilly mid December morning we made our way to the area to find a place to park along the road to see if I could still remember how to get there ! There is no designated trail head nor is there a marked trail for these falls but, in recent years someone did list them on TN. Landforms so, their gps coordinates are easily known meaning, they get way more visitors than ever before. Parking beside the road at a place where some very inconsiderate people dump dead animals and trash, we jumped the guardrail and proceeded to look for the correct hollow that we would follow to the falls. It was not hard to locate and we were soon climbing the fairly steep route up this part of Unaka Mountain.

Coyote Falls

One of many small falls along the way to the main falls

Tyler at one of the many creek crossings along the way to the falls

Following the unnamed creek up the mountain.

It is just about one mile exactly to the falls so, it did not take us long to get there. Since it had been so long since I was there last, it was like being there for my first time again. The water levels were about perfect for taking pics and it was a cloudy day so I could not ask for much better although, it was a bit breezy which made it colder. We hung out there for well over an hour getting some pics and enjoying the beautiful area.

Small drop just below the base of the main falls

Distant view of the main falls

The pristine area around the main falls is rugged with no trails so it is not easy to maneuver around them. What little trail there is ends just before the falls and a small trace trail continues up the steep left side to the top

Lower drop of the falls (taken with my larger camera)

Lower drop of the falls (taken with my larger camera)

Pic of me taking pics of the lower drop of the falls (Photo by Tyler Tarpley)

Lower drop just below the base of the main falls (taken with my larger camera)

After crossing the creek (which is in a deep ravine here) and crawling over several blow downs, you can finally get close to the falls ! Very nice rock cliff on the right side !

It is hard to get the lower drop and the main falls in one picture !

This was the best I could get of both falls !

No level ground here ! You have to work to get a place to setup for picture taking !!

Coyote Falls

Not what I consider ‘high tide’ but, definitely finally enough water flowing to make it worth being there !

Coyote Falls

Coyote Falls (taken with my larger camera)

Coyote Falls

Coyote Falls (taken with larger cam)

Coyote Falls

Coyote Falls

Tyler showing some scale to these nearly 40 foot high falls.

A cold Tyler at Coyote Falls

Our group shot at the falls. Getting up there in 10 seconds was fun !!

Coyote Falls (taken with my larger camera)

Coyote Falls (taken with my larger camera)

Coyote Falls (taken with my larger camera)

Coyote Falls (taken with larger cam)

Coyote Falls (taken with larger cam)

Coyote Falls (taken with larger camera)

Looking back at the falls for one last time on our way out.

The weather did not improve any while we were there and it actually felt like it was going to rain so, we began the descent back down the mountain to the vehicle. Of course the return trip was quicker than the climb up and we were back to the Jeep in a short time. No longer being in a hurry, we took a minute to investigate the putrid smell of death there and we did discover a quite disturbing and gruesome scene. It seems some black bear poachers had been dumping out dead deer and other assorted dead animal parts, many of which were in huge, black garbage bags in order to lure bears to the area so they could be killed. We actually found a freshly killed young, black bear there that they had cut its paws off and taken the gall bladder out and left the rest there to rot. I know those bear parts fetch a high price on the black market but, I will never understand how anyone could practice such a crime against nature. I can only hope they are eventually caught and prosecuted to the full extent of the law. That and a special place in Hell in the afterlife.

Looking back down the hollow we had climbed up to get there. One mile back down to the road from here !

Huge bags of fresh meat (backbones, etc) thrown out beside the road.

Bag of fresh meat beside the road in front of the dump site where the poached bear was

Almost completely rotted deer carcass. This is what was stinking so bad. Left purposely to attract bears.

Poor young dead black bear, rope around his neck, with his paws and gall bladder missing 🙁 The rest of the meat wasted.

Despite the disgusting discovery of the bear slaughter on the side of the road, it had been another great day to be in our local back country to enjoy and share another awesome waterfalls with my son Tyler. I can not wait until the next adventure. Until next time,,,