Laurel Run, Kiner, and Bays Mtn. Falls – 11-6-2012

It was a rainy Tuesday in November not fit for any long trips to the mountains so, my waterfall loving friend Dave and I decided to go check out some places for a short hike and maybe get to see some waterfalls. We ended up in the Bays Mountain area near the Holston River where Dave knew about some falls he got to name ‘Big Logger and Little Logger Falls‘ named after the man who owns the property where the falls are located that just happens to be in the log business. We went there and spoke with that man but it was raining a bit too hard at that time so we decided to drive around to locate some other falls we had heard about in the Kiner Creek area. On the way we passed by the Bays Mountain Falls where I took some pictures from the road high above them. I will go back later when there is more water to get better shots from below them. We found Laurel Run Park where the creek comes out and parked there and started walking up the well maintained trail into the Laurel Run Hollow. It was still drizzling rain. The first thing we came to was a small waterfall that to my knowledge has no name. It is not very high but a nice falls with a large pool to say the least. We did not stop to take any pictures then but saved that for on the way back. We continued up the hollow and soon came to the Laurel Run Falls. These are only about 12 feet in height but are a very pleasant looking falls even in low water like it was on this trip.

laurel run falls

Laurel Run Falls

These falls are unique in the fact that they are very wide which makes up for its lack of height, and has a shelf-like ledge which forms an impressive overhang all the way across them. I am sure this would be more impressive during high water periods. Despite the light rain, we took some time here taking pictures, each of us playing with the settings on our new cameras trying to learn how to use them. While we were thereĀ  we met a nice fellow named Charlie Price who had been crawling through the laurels in the hollow just above us that leads to the Logger Falls. I remember his name because of the close similarity to the country artist Charlie Pride. Dave explained that we were planning to hike further up the Laurel Run Hollow to Kiner Creek and go up that hollow to find the Kiner Creek Falls. He wanted to see them too so he accompanied us on our quest.

laurel run falls

Laurel Run Falls

laurel run falls

Laurel Run Falls (Dave and Charlie standing above them)

laurel run falls

Laurel Run Falls

laurel run falls

Laurel Run Falls (Photo By Dave Aldridge)

 

It is not very far beyond the Laurel Run Falls to where that creek (Laurel Run Creek) that Logger Falls is on, comes in on the right. At that intersection is where the Kiner Creek comes in on the left. The trail continues in that direction uphill and in a short ways you will hear Kiner Falls down below. The trail continues for about 2 more miles where it will cross over what is known as ‘Pretty Ridge’ and leads down into ‘Back Hollow’ where it meets the Laurel Run Creek again and proceeds to follow it until it reaches Bays Mountain Park as that creek comes out of the Kingsport Reservoir there. You can see a glimpse of the Kiner Falls below and there is a steep side trail down to the top of the falls but, the view from the top is never what a true water-faller wants to see so one must get creative to find a way down to the base of these falls. It is not easy but I managed to lead the three of us down there and back without issue. These falls are listed at 30 feet but that is stretching it by a couple feet I think. There was not much water on this day so I plan to come back again someday to get better pictures. I learned later on that there is an upper set of falls 200 yards above these falls which is another good reason to go back.

kiner falls

Kiner Creek Falls

kiner falls

Kiner Creek Falls

kiner falls

Kiner Creek Falls

kiner falls

Kiner Creek Falls

kiner falls

Kiner Creek Falls

kiner falls

Kiner Creek Falls

After we climbed back up the steep bank back to the trail, we returned the way we had come stopping to get some pics of the small falls we passed up on the way in. While I was doing this, our new acquaintance Charlie said goodbye and began his hike back to his car. These small falls are not high maybe 5 feet or less but, they are very charming and the wide pool they flow into is very photographic.

small falls

First set of small falls found on Laurel Run Creek

small falls

First set of small falls found on Laurel Run Creek

small falls

First set of small falls found on Laurel Run Creek

small falls

First set of small falls found along Laurel Run Creek

The hike back to the car was even more pleasant than the hike in as it is downhill. I took some pics of the fall foliage and the old log structure on our way back.

Laurel Run Trail

Laurel Run Trail

log structures

Log structures along the start of the Laurel Run Trail

log structures

Old log structures found at the start of the Laurel Run Trail

Bays Mountain Falls

Bays Mountain Falls we passed on our way in to Laurel Run Park (as seen from the road above near Smith Gap which is close to the Holston River)

It is only about a mile to the Kiner Falls so it was a 2 mile day in the chilly light rain but it was way better than sitting at home and the exercise made it well worth it. I am glad to now know about this place and plan on coming back again in the future to get better shots of these falls with more water and hopefully hike all the way to Bays Mountain Park and back. Until the next adventure,,,,,

Posted on 24 December '12 by , under RATtreks.

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