![\"falls\"](\"http:\/\/rattreks.com\/site_pics54\/0436.jpg\")
<\/a>Just one of many unnamed falls we encountered along this journey<\/p><\/div>\n
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<\/a>This three foot + tall ice formation was found as we started at the top of the mountain. Its color is from the tannins leaching out of the fallen tree. If you look closely you can see it has actually welded the tree to the ground.<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>First falls of the day. Small but a prelude of what was to come<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Still close to the top of the mountain our journey is just beginning. Here is where several trickles coming in from a couple different directions meet to form the creek we would be surfing down. The laurel hells are about to start and just ahead (in the sunlight) the earth is about to drop out from under us.<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Larry leads us into the thick of it,,,<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>The first falls did not disappoint and the journey had only just began ! (pocket cam)<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>One of the first falls seen along the steep descent<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Another pic of one of the first falls we came to on the way down<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>The typical view we would have all day<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>As we came to the top of the first taller falls we had to climb up and around cliffs to get down them. Here I am looking back down at Bol’Dar who is coming up behind me<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Here you can see the steep sidehill route as we go high to avoid impenetrable laurels to get down to the base of the upcoming falls. As you can see even the trees can not hold themselves straight and tend to lean downhill !<\/p><\/div>\n
The steepness of this surf took me a little by surprise as I found it harder to keep traction than on our previous rides which were all very steep or so I thought. I was glad that Larry had already found the only passable routes as taking the wrong one here would certainly put you in a dire situation where you would not be able to continue. Also on this side of Holston there are cliff lines that are hidden behind the growth and runs almost the entire length of the mountain chain at certain elevations. They are vertical and without ropes there are only certain routes that are passable and it is there where Larry`s knowledge of the area came in most handy. The difficulty was increased by the wetness of the ground and cliffs along with the low temperatures which had resulted in some ice along the way. It was not long before we started seeing waterfalls and once they began they never stopped. It was an unending collection of drops all the way to the bottom. Of course in between each one would require treacherous bushwhacking through laurels and down insanely steep, rocky inclines that looked impassable until you actually completed them.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Here we reach the first of the vertical cliffs that run across the mighty Holston Mountain and Larry leads us through the only passable route (without using ropes)<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Making our way down and around the vertical drop offs<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>One of the many ledges of these cliffs. There were huge trees growing upon them HIGH above<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Bol’Dar demonstrating one of the many surfing techniques used while descending the vertical cliffs<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Larry leading the way across a huge log jam in the creek as we change sides to avoid a vertical cliff drop off<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>A view of the cliffs on the other side. You can see why we did not come down that side !<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>The higher you look the higher and more vertical the cliffs go. These actually run the length of this side of Holston only they cant be seen from below or by satellite as they are well hidden by the trees. They are much larger in person !<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Larry below us after crossing the creek and log jam in the thick laurels as we make our way to the base of the cliffs on the other side.<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Looking up the creek as I cross over the log jam<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Seen lots of ice all day as it did not reach much above freezing here despite temps being near 50 F in the valley. The sun does not hit much in this deep chasm of a hollow<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Taking a break at the base of the cliffs<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Some more cool looking ice. The left one looks kinda like a bird.<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Close up. Now can you see the ice bird ?<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Behind the ice bird<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Looking back across the log jam at the cliffs we had just came down and around. You can see how that is the only route and a gnarly one at that<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Looking up at a small part of the huge cliffs we were under<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Once below this set of cliffs we finally reached a very nice set of falls and they only got bigger and better from that point on\u00a0 (pocket cam)<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>This creek is pretty much hidden by thick laurels like this. I am sure you could not see it from the air, or by satellite because you cant hardly see it when you are standing in it !!!<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Another view looking back you can see how quickly it gets steep and rugged and it only gets more intense from here<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Finally reached the top of the first major falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Pictures make everything look flat but, you can tell by the body posturing that it is far from flat along the side of the first major falls as I look over from the top of the falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Looking down from the top of this falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>John getting pics of these mighty fine falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Another pocket cam shot of the falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Next one down was one of the first of the larger falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Another shot of the first larger falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Another angle of these same falls. Why ? Because it is a photo blog and I can never choose just one pic to use !<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Different exposure of these same falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Due to the terrain at all the other falls which would make it near impossible to get a group shot at any of them, we chose this one due to its easier access.<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Frontal view of the falls (pocket cam)<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Another one of the larger falls along this creek<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Another angle of the same falls. These were very nice.<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>John loved these falls so much he went back up to Gnome pose at the top !<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Another shot of these magnificent falls<\/p><\/div>\n
Just a few feet from the base of those falls they actually continued falling even steeper and farther only the descent was not any easier. It was thick laurels and a lot of it was hidden so we could only see parts of it from the side as we clung to the growth on our way down the steep, wet, slope.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Continuing down beside more falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Looking over John`s shoulder as we stop to get a pic of a small fraction of these falls as seen from a small puckering perch ledge on the way down this near vertical descent<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Trying to look down. It`s a long way to the bottom.<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Another side view as we continue to make our way down this steep slope beside the falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Another side view as we near a place where we might be able to stand and get some shots of this part of the falls before it continues dropping in only a few feet from the base of what you are seeing now. It never really stops dropping for long ever.<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Trying to find a place level enough to setup on to get pics of these amazing falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Continuing farther down the incredibly steep descent there are these gorgeous falls !<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>I thought these were some of the nicest along the entire run<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Front view of these falls. Only mere inches behind me the creek keeps falling nearly vertical into more falls and laurels etc<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Standing below the same falls.<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Perhaps my best shot of this drop<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Looking across the base of the same falls you can see Larry and Bol’Dar and how there really is no actual level ground at the base of this drop of the falls. We had to cross back over here to continue going down. This is looking back,,,<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>This isolated part of the falls was awesome and I regret not setting my larger camera up to shoot it ! The next pic is taken from this same spot only looking down at the huge drop I am on the top edge of,,,<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Looking down from the same spot the previous pic was shot from. Like I said, it really is one huge falls you climb down all day ! We would not be able to go down this way and wold end up climbing up and around more cliffs as you will see in the next series of pictures.<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Looking back up at John from only a few feet lower you can see how the creek and falls quickly seem to disappear.<\/p><\/div>\n
The water levels had gone down significantly over the previous few days but, there was enough flow to make the falls enjoyable. Just knowing there were no other peoples tracks there and no other pictures of all these pristine falls provided all the adrenaline needed to complete the task at hand. The numerous falls vary from 10 feet to over 50 feet in height and each displayed its own unique characteristics. We would spend as much time as we could at each drop taking in the previously unseen beauty to be found there before moving to the next one.<\/p>\n
<\/a>You would think that when descending something as steep as this route was that there would not be much if any climbing involved however, that is far from reality. This is due to the sheer vertical drops near the various falls that are not possible to go down without serious ropes and equipment we prefer not to carry if not absolutely necessary. Here we are climbing up an insanely steep slope between scattered rock cliffs in order to find a safe route down without needing a rope.<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>This shot best illustrates just how steep and cliffy the descent is around this drop of the falls. Look closely for the others as they are all there !<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>A look back at a side view of the falls we are working our way down. if you look close enough through the laurels you can see the cliffs on the other side are completely vertical which is why we are on this side which is only slightly better<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Looking back again at some of the others behind me you can see what we just came down.<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Finally I make it to a semi level spot at the base of this part of the falls. To add some scale you can see John standing up top<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Another one of the taller falls found as we make our way lower on the mountain<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Here you can see John Forbes as he looks small beside this particular drop while he makes his way carefully down to join us<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>There was a small cave-like tunnel behind the root ball of the falls tree as you can see John emerging from on his way down this steep descent<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Another shot of these falls which was one of the only times we could get a view of the blue sky and the falls in one frame<\/p><\/div>\n
Once we crossed back over beneath those falls there was of course the next drop only a few feet below them which you can see in the next pic. There really was no level ground at the base of the previous drop, only just enough to cross over on in order to continue down the mountain.<\/p>\n
<\/a>John crossing over the narrow amount of real estate found at the base of the last drop as we make our way onward and downward to the next series of drops,,,<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Looking back at the last drop. It`s too bad the drops above these were on a section so steep and laurel covered that we could not get any usable shots of !<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>I loved the beauty of the moss on this tree with the falls in the background. I had to stop here for a few moments to take it all in and enjoy it.<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Another shot of the same falls as I get farther below them<\/p><\/div>\n
Not much farther down we reached the next drop. Another unique falls with its own distinct beauty complete with a ‘periscope tree’ ! I could not get enough of these falls !<\/p>\n
<\/a>Coming into the next set of falls,, They look small until you see John on the other side !<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Here you can see the periscope tree<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Next drop on the way down. I called these ‘Periscope Falls’ due to the odd looking periscope growth on the fallen tree there.<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Here you can see the periscope growth on the fallen tree<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Looking across Periscope Tree Falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>All the falls on this journey were unique but this was the only one with a periscope tree !<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>It kind of looks like a small camel head doesn`t it ! How fitting !<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>I took a lot of shots of this drop !<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>View of the same falls from the other side<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>On the other side of Periscope Tree Falls. They look even better from this angle !<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Periscope Tree Falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Periscope Tree Falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Periscope Tree Falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>With my back to the last falls I can see the others down below me. Again, within ten feet of the previous falls is another falls as you will see in the next few pics,,,,, this one perhaps the most unique of the day,,<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Side view of the next falls,,, these were awesome as you cold actually go behind them<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Only a few feet from the base of Periscope Tree Falls the creek drops once again over this pristine drop which was one of the most unique of the day ! You could actually get behind these falls.<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Another side view<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Getting up close and personal from behind these awesome falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Side shot with an icicle<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>The more I see of these falls the prettier they are. You can see John giving some scale to their size.<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>As you can see in this image, Periscope Tree Falls is just above this awesome falls. Here John Forbes adds some scale to their size.<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Another shot from pocket cam that shows the other falls (periscope falls) just above these<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>A view looking back ,,, if it were not for trees and laurels you would see a never ending falls from here to the top of the mountain !<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>As you can see one could consider both of these drops one falls (Periscope Tree Falls) A happy John Forbes does his trademark Gnome pose.<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Another angle of John at the Periscope Tree Falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Taken with pocket cam<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Isolated shot of the lower part of Periscope Tree Falls<\/p><\/div>\n
As we left the ‘periscope tree falls’ we entered into a rocky area where there was a Mack truck sized rock that looked just like a Beagle dog`s head. Below it there was remnants of an old moonshine still site which was obvious by the way the rocks were stacked and the ground was depressed. The metal and glass objects that are sometimes found have long since gone but, after seeing as many of those olden sites as I have you learn to recognize them quite easily. I tried my best to capture the descent through this steep rock garden past the huge dog head rock as we made our way down to the next sets of falls.<\/p>\n
<\/a>As I make my way down the rocks I pause to look back to see John still looking back at the last falls. Savoring every moment and ounce of beauty it had to offer during the time we had.<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Another look back as I stand atop of huge downed log below the rock garden<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Following behind Larry and Bol’Dar as we negotiate around the huge dog head rock. It is sniffing Larry out !<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Looking back as John makes his way to the huge hound dog`s head rock !<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Close up of John showing how large this dog head shaped rock really is !<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>I am not sure why John took this more difficult route. Perhaps he was afraid of getting bit by the dog head rock ? lol<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Isolated shot of this huge unusually shaped rock<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Part of the old moonshine still site<\/p><\/div>\n
The next set of falls were not the tallest or largest by any stretch of the imagination yet, they had enough beauty to make up for all of that:<\/p>\n
<\/a>Another beautiful small falls found not far below the Periscope Tree Falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>These small falls were very photogenic. I could not stop taking pics of them !<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>The combination of moss, ferns and falls were outstanding here<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Where the green ferns grow !<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>There was no wrong or bad angles to be found here<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Bol’Dar taking pics of the same falls. You can see how well hidden this entire area is hidden in the thick laurels.<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Another angle of these spectacular falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>John provides some scale to their size as he helps clean up the area to make the falls more visible and photogenic<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>I found it hard to stop taking pics and hard to leave these falls !<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>See what I mean ? !!<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>This drop proves that waterfalls do not have to be high and mighty to be beautiful<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Cool looking moss and fungus near the falls<\/p><\/div>\n