Archive for January, 2018
Only 3 days after our hike to Pete`s Branch Falls, I decided to mark another one off my son Tyler`s list of ‘falls not yet seen’. This time would be an excursion to Davis Creek Falls (listed as aka Mary`s Falls but, known to the old timers of the area as Artie Hollow Falls) via the lesser known and more obscure Davis Creek Trail instead of the more popular route via Phillips Hollow. Once found it is a decent trail to follow to get over the hill and down the almost one mile to Davis Creek where an even better trail follows the creek upstream. From there it is just over 3/4 of a mile up Davis Creek to Artie Hollow (not named on many maps) where you must go right on another stream (away from Davis Cr) on a nearly completely overgrown blue blazed trail. It is about .6 of a mile to the falls over several blow-downs and heavy growth so, you end up just following the creek up the best way you can. Once you reach the falls the trail actually improves a lot as it continues over the mountain and down into Phillips Hollow in case you are interested in a loop possibility. The total distance from the Jeep to the falls was just shy of 2.5 miles. We got an early start and hiked as fast as we could in hopes of reaching the falls before the bright sun made its appearance.
Davis Creek (Mary`s) Falls (45 feet high)
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Posted on 31 January '18 by RAT, under RATtreks. No Comments.
Perusing over the list of waterfalls that my son Tyler has not yet been to, focusing more on the ones closest to us, I noticed that Pete`s Branch Falls was on that list. I was also aware that it had been well over 20 + years since I had visited there myself. That being said and with the recent purchase of a Jeep, it was decided that would be our next destination. Located within the Horse Creek area it did not take us long to get there and the numerous creek crossings and extremely rough terrain would be a good test for the Jeep. Taking our time not wanting to tear nothing up on an unfamiliar vehicle, we had no issues going in and were soon at the turn off to the trail head. A few mud holes later and we reached the end of the road and were on our way to the falls.
Pete`s Branch Falls
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Posted on 30 January '18 by RAT, under RATtreks. No Comments.
I was invited to attend a group hike led by The Badger (Thomas Mabry) in hopes of finding the covert location of the only overlook where Flat Creek Falls can be seen in its entirety. This location has only been documented by a couple of people, one of which being Kevin Adams who is a well known North Carolina Waterfalls author extraordinaire. Flat Creek Falls is located at the Northern edge of Panthertown Valley within the Nantahala National Forest and is listed at 200 feet high.
Flat Creek Falls (Panthertown, North Carolina)
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Posted on 24 January '18 by RAT, under RATtreks. No Comments.
After a month and a half of no hiking, I jumped at the first chance I got to get away to the mountains. It had to be somewhere close so I chose some falls in the Clark Creek area that my son Tyler had not yet seen. We left as early as we could but, by the time we crossed the creek several times and got to our first location which would be Small Falls, the sun was just coming over the ridge and we knew then that it would be too bright for getting any decent photos. Since I already had pics of all the falls we would be going to, it did not bother me so we just relished in the beauty that was around us. These falls are only about 15 feet in vertical height but, still worth the short side trip to reach them. We cleaned up some debris before taking what pics we could and then went back down to the main creek to continue on to the next falls.
Small Falls
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Posted on 18 January '18 by RAT, under RATtreks. No Comments.
It was brought to my attention that some members of the Team Waterfall group would be hiking all weekend in the East Tennessee area and on Sunday would be going to the falls along Dick Creek led by our own resident Gnome, John Forbes. He would be showing them the way to the Upper Falls as well as some of the other upper falls above it as well. That group would be coming in the long way over the mountain from Rock Creek whereas my son Tyler and I would be four wheel driving in from the Limestone Cove side to meet them there. Included in the Team Waterfall group would be John Forbes, Scott Burns, Spencer Clary, Stephanie Brooks, Kyle Logan, Angelina Sujata, Jennifer Loow, Andy Kunkle, Christy Kunkle, Jonathan Vallejo, Mary Vallejo (and their son whom I can not remember his name), Wendy Walker, and Beth Bradshaw. This would be my first time meeting (in person) some of these folks which was one of the reasons I decided to attend this event. Secondly to show some Tennessee hospitality to our North Carolina hiking friends. Tyler and I got there early and ahead of the groups arrival so we proceeded to check out the lower falls and wait for them there.
Lower Dick Creek Falls
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Posted on 17 January '18 by RAT, under RATtreks. No Comments.
Two things you never hear in the same sentence are ‘mines’ and ‘waterfalls’ but, after hearing about my friend John Forbe`s recent discovery of an old mule bank mine that believe it or not, was completely hidden behind a waterfall, I knew I had to see this for myself asap ! Located in the Little Stony area of Southwest Virginia, I was excited as we made our way into the gorge on a chilly morning. Along on this excursion would be our leader John Forbes, Dan Till, Amanda Moore, my son Tyler Tarpley, and yours truly.
(left to right) John Forbes, RAT, Tyler Tarpley) Deep inside the mule bank mine. (Photo by Dan Till)
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Posted on 10 January '18 by RAT, under RATtreks. No Comments.
My name is 'RAT' and I love the mountains and waterfalls of the East TN. area where I live and I hope you enjoy this blog about my outdoor adventures.
