RATtreks

Rocky Fork-Long Branch Falls – 12-4-2013

It has been since November of 2010 that my last trip to Long Branch Falls located in the Rocky Fork area and I was unable to get any decent pics on that trip due to low water flow and bright sunshine. My friend Dave was in about the same situation except he had recently made a trip back there but, was unable to find the upper falls again and asked if I would accompany him on another trip there and show him their location. It had been awhile since either of us had been on a moderate hike so being a bit out of shape, we decided to just have a leisurely hike and see how far we could get up the Long Branch Hollow.

It was a warm sunny day for December and the water levels were up some due to recent rains so the Rocky Fork creek was moving right along. We stopped at the triple falls not far from the trail head as I always do as it is irresistible to stop and take pics there. From there the next thing to see is the Whitehouse Mountain Cliffs aka Stonehenge Cliffs as if you know where to look you can see them barely through the trees especially if the sun is shining on them as it does most of the time. It was still morning as we walked underneath the tall cliffs on the left side, directly across from the Stonehenge Cliffs which are equally impressive. I have to assume that they were once all together many years ago before something split them apart and the water cut the valley out between them.

We took what I call the ‘high road‘ which is the first road to the right that leads to many places (depending on if you want to be back this week or next) including the Long Branch Hollow which is the first one on the right found in the first big curve in the road. Since we really had no concrete plans I suggested to Dave that we continue a short ways farther on the high road up to the point of the ridge so that I could show him the side view of the mighty Stonehenge Cliffs that sit on the front of Whitehouse Mountain. He had seen these cliffs from the interstate as well as my up close and personal pictures of them so he was more than willing to go get a view of them. His only regret was not having his 300MM zoom lens with him.

After looking at the cliffs we went back to where the Long Branch Creek comes in and began making our way up the hollow there. The trail is good in spots and bad in others but overall it is not too difficult. There are several waterfalls and cascades located along this creek. You can see detailed locations and pictures from a previous trip here.  The sun was shining directly on most of the falls on our way up so we did not waste any time climbing down to try and get any pics as we really wanted to try and get to the upper falls knowing they are quite a ways up the draw and difficult to get to due to lack of a cleared trail. For some unknown reason we decided to investigate the first water source on the left at the ‘twisty vine’ intersection, knowing full well the upper falls were not on that creek, we crawled through the laurels and went to the head of it anyway. This was quite regretful because there is really nothing up there. I went until there was not any more water and could see the top of the main ridge above which was quite a waste of energy.

From there we continued up the main draw to the next (and second) water source coming in from the left which I knew was the right one. It did not take me long to locate the hidden old road grade that we had found on our way out on our first trip here which we took to its end and then climbed a short but very steep ascent to reach the other old road that hides in the thick laurels above which will lead right to the top of the falls. Unfortunately on our previous trip here when we found the secret road, we did not get to follow it to where it connects to the main draw due to Bol’Dar dropping his hiking staff over the side which we had to retrieve but, this time we would see exactly where it would come out on our way back which will eliminate this gnarly climb on any future trips. Once on the upper old road grade it did not take but a few minutes to reach the top of the falls.

We climbed down to the base of the upper falls where we took what pics we could before it was time to make the journey back. I am positive that what few people visit these falls climb up to them via the creek bed like we did the first time not knowing about the old road above them. I wished I had brought some loppers to work on the trail there and will definitely do so if I ever come back. The hike out is much easier than the hike in. It is hard to imagine that at any time in the past that a vehicle could have actually drove to this place but, low and behold, there is an exhaust pipe there to prove it ! On the return trip we followed the old road grade to its end where it does meet back up with the main creek further upstream from where the creek from the upper falls enters. I will remember this for next time. We took a much needed break as we had already far exceeded what was to be a leisurely hike ! The light was better on the way out so I stopped to get some better pics of some of the falls and cascades on our way out. I also have a better camera than I did on my last visit.

After reaching the head of Long Branch back where we started, it was nice to be back on an open trail. We walked down the old road where I showed Dave what I call the ‘Trident Tree’ :

From there the road connects to the main road in Rocky Fork and it is a short distance back to the car but we stopped and shot a few pics of the creek on our way out:

It had been a great day to be in the woods and although I was tired and my knee was hurting from the off trail scrambling, I was already planning a trip back to this area soon to take Dave to the top of Whitehouse Mountain so he could experience the Stonehenge Cliffs.

To see the complete collection of photos for Long Branch Falls, please visit our Gallery here.