![\"falls\"](\"http:\/\/rattreks.com\/site_pics58\/0770.jpg\")
<\/a>Upper Simmons Branch Falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/p>\n
It was only a few months ago that my good friend and fellow mountaineer Larry Jarret aka The Roan Mountain Jedi, had informed me that he had been rudely ran off from there by the landowner and asked me about my newly found route to get around it to reach the falls. I promised him that I would show him the way as soon as it was possible. There is not usually a lot of water flowing down the Simmons Branch so it is imperative to wait until after some rains or during wet seasons to even bother going there. Larry also informed me that these waterfalls were the only ones he lacked seeing to complete his seeing all the listed waterfalls between Scott County, TN. and the Smoky Mtns. to the Virgina and North Carolina state lines. This of course is quite an accomplishment and I was eager to help him check this last set of falls off the list. It was not until a couple months later that the conditions would be sufficient enough to warrant this trip as we did get some soaking rains and the forecast was for a fairly cloudy day. I notified Larry and he was all for it so on the day after Christmas he, and myself met up at Hairnt Quarters that morning and took one vehicle to my new trail head where we met up with Bol’Dar to begin our journey to the Simmons Branch Falls.<\/p>\n
<\/a>The moon going down just at sunrise. I took this while I was waiting on Larry to get to Hairnt Quarters<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Making our way across the ‘stealth ridge’ we came across this pipe. I must assume from its location on top of the ridge that is is an old air vent pipe for one of the many mines that were in this area a long time ago. Great care must be taken when hiking this area as it is very possible to fall into an old air shaft. I know where some are that have opened back up and caved in that you can actually see down into the black abyss.<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Old steering wheel found along the old jeep road<\/p><\/div>\n
Moving quickly into stealth mode being quiet and with purpose we made our way over the steep hill keeping just above the private property line and down into the valley where we would pick up a shortcut down to the old road well above the danger zone. From there we would avoid the lower route although I am sure it is not on private land as I know a much better route that would take us to the top of the lower falls. It is tricky due to a maze of old overgrown trails and log roads but, it is much easier if you know the right turns, and there are many. In no time we were standing above the lower falls about to descend down and around the vertical rock cliffs there. Following my old ninja trail we made it safely to the base of the falls. The water level was higher than I had ever seen it and it was cloudy enough to get some usable pics.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Side view of Lower Simmons Falls as seen from the cliff above<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Looking back at Bol’Dar and Larry as we negotiate around the base of the cliff to get to the falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Looking up at the cliff we just came down<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Bol’Dar getting some shots of the lower Simmons branch Falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Larry demonstrates the art of Camel Servicing at the lower Simmons Branch Falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Lower Simmons Branch Falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Lower Simmons Branch Falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Lower Simmons Branch Falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Lower Simmons Branch Falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Lower Simmons Branch Falls<\/p><\/div>\n
There was actually too much water for me to get any really good delayed shots with my larger camera as I simply do not have the right equipment or talent to do so but, the following shots are what I was able to obtain:<\/p>\n
<\/a>Lower Simmons Branch Falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Lower Simmons Branch Falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Lower Simmons Branch Falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Lower Simmons Branch Falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Lower Simmons Branch Falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Group shot at the lower Simmons Branch Falls<\/p><\/div>\n
We were in no hurry as it is not a long hike so we spent as much time as we needed there before deciding to climb back up by the cliff. I noticed that the feeder falls that come in from the left of the base of the lower falls on a different water source was roaring and I enticed the others to follow me over there to poke our noses into the thick laurels to see what they had to show. It is rare that there is much water on them but, this day would be an exception as they were rocking and rolling hard ! I have never seen any good pictures of them (other than the one on TN Landforms site)\u00a0 and I am happy we took the time to check them out. The conditions were as near perfect as they could get and we took our time getting up close and personal with her as we climbed every square inch of them getting some of the best shots of the day ! These are a rare and highly unique falls that provides numerous angles and opportunities for many different shots which we took full advantage of as we climbed to the top and then higher, back to where we started above the lower falls.<\/p>\n
<\/a>The Feeder falls are completely hidden by Laurels even when you get this close you barely see them but, we could hear them on this day due to the high water flow !<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>As you get behind the laurels you can start to see these magnificent feeder falls. Larry was excited and was already there !<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Feeder falls at Lower Simmons Branch<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Feeder Falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Feeder Falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Feeder Falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Larry on a puckering perch loving life at the feeder falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Feeder falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Upper part of the feeder falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Upper part of the feeder falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>This part of the feeder falls has the illusion of coming out of a cave !<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Upper parts of the feeder falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Upper part of the feeder falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Isolated shot of the upper part of feeder falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Isolated shot of the upper part of feeder falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Isolated section of the feeder falls where it seems to come out of a cave above ! I got this as I climbed up them.<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Making my way higher up the feeder falls. it just gets better !<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Top part of feeder falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Top part of the Feeder Falls as seen from the other side (Photo by Larry Jarret)<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Upper part of feeder falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Upper part of feeder falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Looking down the feeder falls from the upper part<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>To climb above and around the top of the feeder falls requires going up through these rocks and bear holes<\/p><\/div>\n
From there it is down to the creek again to follow the Simmons Branch Valley until the middle falls are reached. These are hidden until you actually get right upon them. It is said that Cherokee Indian maidens frequented these falls for bathing purposes as it is possible to easily sit on each of its three tiers. I have yet to get a good picture without bright sun of these falls until this trip. We had picked a great day to visit them.<\/p>\n
<\/a>There are lots of these in the mountains around here. It is a broken steel cable from the old logging days. When they broke one they usually left it laying.<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>This is looking back at Bol’Dar and Larry in the Simmons Branch Valley just above the Lower Falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Making our way towards the Middle Simmons Branch Falls. You can start to see them in the distance now<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Getting closer to the middle falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Middle Simmons Branch Falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Middle Simmons Branch Falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Middle Simmons Branch Falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Middle Simmons Branch Falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Middle Simmons Branch Falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Middle Simmons Branch Falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Middle Simmons Branch Falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Middle Simmons Branch Falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Middle Simmons Branch Falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Group shot at the Middle Simmons Branch Falls (I am invisible, sorry)<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Lowest drop of the middle falls, side view<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Me at the bottom of the Middle Simmons branch Falls (Photo by Bol’Dar)<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Closer side view of the lower drop of the middle falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Me at the base of the Middle Simmons Branch Falls (Photo by Bol’Dar)<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Another side shot of the lower section of the middle falls.<\/p><\/div>\n
I did not climb directly up the falls and shoot each level as closely as I usually do, mainly in part to the high water flow but, instead I climbed up the steep right side to reach the nice log road that hides above it. This road leads towards the upper falls but, dead ends in the creek before reaching them. It is a very steep and difficult climb up the left side to reach the only viewing perch of the falls. There are some nice drops below the upper falls but, I would wait until we left to photograph them on our way out. I think I slid backwards as much as I was able to climb forward but, I finally reached the old log where the best view of the upper falls lies. I had to rest awhile before I could even begin shooting pics !<\/p>\n
<\/a>Lower drop of the middle falls as I begin my climb up this side of them<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Climbing higher this show the bottom 2 drops of the middle falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Middle drop of the middle falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Middle and upper drop of the Middle Simmons Branch Falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Center drop of the middle falls. There is no bad angle of these falls ! This is perhaps my favorite to shoot.<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Center drop of the middle Simmons Branch Falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Center drop of the Middle Simmons Branch Falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Center drop of the middle falls<\/p><\/div>\n
The upper falls are very tall at over 100 feet easily if you include a small drop at the top that you cant really see unless you climb up there. It is not an easy climb and this would be the first time I visited these falls that I did not make the climb up. Larry opted to not climb to the top as well and we watched as Bol’Dar climbed about half way up to give us some scale for a few of our pics. We hung out there for quite some time taking advantage of the cloudy conditions and high water flow. Eventually it did become time to go so we made our way slowly down the very slick descent to the creek where we could get some shots of the smaller falls that are found there.<\/p>\n
<\/a>After climbing up from the middle falls to the log road that hides above them you can now start to see where the upper falls are in the distance<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>A small falls located below the upper falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Larry is so excited that he is ahead of me on his way to the upper falls that can now be seen in the distance. The log road ends and it is a very steep off trail route to reach them<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>There are few very nice small falls just below the main upper falls. I would get some better shots with the larger camera on my way out. You can see the uppers in the distance<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Looking down at what I call the Green Moss Falls as I was climbing up towards the upper falls, I noticed a dead raccoon laying at their base.<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>My first view of the Upper Simmons Branch Falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Larry had already found the best puckering perch for viewing and photographing this mighty waterfall<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Bol’Dar soon joins Larry at ‘the log’ where the only place to sit on this incredibly steep mountain side is possible. I have had many a nap on that log.<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Upper Simmons Branch Falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Upper Simmons Branch Falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Upper Simmons Branch Falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Upper Simmons Branch Falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Upper Simmons Branch Falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Upper Simmons Branch Falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Upper Simmons Branch Falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Upper Simmons Branch Falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Upper Simmons Branch Falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Upper Simmons Branch Falls (There are some large and very nice rock cliffs high above the right side of these falls)<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Upper Simmons Branch Falls (there are some nice rock cliffs hiding among the trees and laurels above the left side of these falls)<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Upper Simmons Branch Falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Upper Simmons Branch Falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Upper Simmons Branch Falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Lower part of Upper Simmons Branch Falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Middle part of Upper Simmons Branch Falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Another shot of the middle part of the Upper Simmons Branch Falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Upper part of the Upper Simmons Branch Falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Zoomed shot of the upper part of the Upper Simmons Branch Falls. If you look close you can see another 10 foot falls hiding above these that can only be seen by climbing to there<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Zoomed shot of the middle part of these gorgeous falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Zoomed shot of the middle and lower part of the falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Zoomed shot of the upper part of the falls as the light continued to improve<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Upper Simmons Branch Falls<\/p><\/div>\n
Bol’Dar did climb a good ways upon them to get some close up pics of the various sections of the falls. Of course I took pics of him doing so to add some scale as to the height of the falls which I will include here for your viewing pleasure:<\/p>\n
<\/a>Bol’Dar making his way up the steep, wet slope along the left side of the falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Bol’Dar climbs up the left side of the falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Bol’Dar`s view of Larry and I as he climbed up the falls (Photo by Bol’Dar)<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Bol’Dar about halfway up the upper falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Bol’Dar on the Upper Simmons Branch Falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Bol’Dar adding some needed scale to these upper falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Bol’Dar saying hello to an old friend<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Upper part of the falls (Find Bol’Dar ! )<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Now can you find Bol’Dar ?<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Find who ? Me ?? (said Bol’Dar as he stepped out of the tiny hobbit hole hidden on the side of the falls)<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Bol’Dar checking out the upper falls. The light was so good that I wished I had a better camera !<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Bol’Dar on the upper falls in the best conditions I have had at these falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Group shot near the base of the middle part of Upper Simmons Branch Falls<\/p><\/div>\n
At one of the drops below the upper falls we found a dead raccoon laying right beside the falls. One has to wonder what led to his demise and why there but, it is a perfect example of why you should never drink unfiltered \/ untreated water no matter where you are as there is no way of knowing what might be in the stream above you.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Dead raccoon found at the base of what I call the Green Moss Falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Close up of the poor unfortunate coon<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Side view of the newly named Raccoon Falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Side view of Green Moss aka Raccoon Falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Another side view of these beautiful falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>View from below Green Moss\/Raccoon Falls<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Looking at the Green Moss\/Raccoon Falls with another small drop below them and the upper falls in the background<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Taking advantage of the excellent lighting below the green moss falls with the upper falls in the background<\/p><\/div>\n
Further down there is another nice small drop that photographs well. I spent some time there getting what I could before catching up with the others that were farther downstream already.<\/p>\n