Devils Creek – 6-15-2016
Although I would never need a reason to go back to the Devils Creek area as it is always an awesome place to be, on this trip I did have two particular purposes to make the journey. First being to take my son Tyler who had never been there and second, to swim in the upper splash pool of the twin falls. It was a hot, and very sunny day so getting any fancy pics would not be possible but, it was the perfect time for a swim in the ice cold waters of the Devils Creek Gorge. We made short work of the hike in and found ourselves at the base of the twin falls before the sun had even dried the rocks off. This made it extremely hard to climb up to the upper pool as the rocks were like greased glass yet, somehow we all eventually managed to get there and were soon enjoying the cool, therapeutic waters in the deep splash pool. Along on this adventure besides myself was my son Tyler ‘Little RAT’ Tarpley, Tommy ‘Bol’Dar’ Warden, and the one and only John ‘The Gnome’ Forbes who just happened to be the first person ever to document swimming in the upper splash pool only a month or so earlier.
Twin Falls on upper part of Devils Creek
Twin Falls on the upper part of Devils Creek
Looking down on the twin falls of Devils Creek
Looking down on the twin falls of Devils Creek
Upper drop and splash pool (our destination to swim in) of the twin falls on Devils Creek
Upper drop and splash pool of the twin falls on Devils Creek
Upper drop of the twin falls on the upper part of Devils Creek
Twin falls on upper Devils Creek
Lower drop of the twin falls on the upper part of Devils Creek
Lower drop of the twin falls on Devils Creek
Lower drop of the twin falls on the upper part of Devils Creek
Tyler and I carefully climbing up the incredibly slick rocks to get to the upper splash pool (Photo by John Forbes)
Looking down into the splash pool (and our swimming hole for the day) of the upper drop of the twin falls on Devils Creek
Upper part of the twin falls
Tyler at the edge of the splash pool at the upper twin falls
Bol’Dar prepares to jump into the splash pool
Bol’Dar in mid air !
We have Bol’Dar`s jump covered from all angles ! (Photo by John Forbes)
Bol’Dar splashes down ! (Photo by John Forbes)
Bol’Dar swimming in the splash pool at the upper twin falls after a successful jump !
Bol’Dar swims at the upper twin falls
Bol’Dar enjoying the deep cool water of the upper twin falls
Tyler and me swimming in the splash pool of the upper twin falls (Photo by John Forbes)
Me trying to hold on to the slick vertical sides of the deep splash pool
Upper drop of the twin falls
My view looking out from the splash pool of the upper twin falls. Bol’Dar and Tyler are at the top of the lower twin falls as John is still high above on the spine rock that borders the twin falls.
Not easy to get to but, one of the best swimming holes on the planet !
What I wouldn`t give to have this in my backyard !
Looking down from the top of the lower half of the twin falls
Upper part of the twin falls and splash pool on Devils Creek . This image shows how steep the sides are and how inaccessible it is not to mention how impossible it would be to get out if one jumped in from above. The only way out is to climb down the cliff beside the lower drop of the falls. Did I mention how gorgeous it is ?
Another shot of the awesome pool at the base of the upper twin falls
If one is able to climb the steep rock spine beside the falls, you can get this view looking down into the splash pool at the base of the upper half of the twin falls
me enjoying a swim at the upper twin falls (Photo by John Forbes)
My son Tyler and I swimming at the upper twin falls (Photo by John Forbes)
Another view from high above the upper twin falls and splash pool
The beautiful upper half of the twin falls on Devils Creek
Me gnome posing beside Tyler in a very precarious and slick, un-level spot ! (Photo by John Forbes)
Me doing a Hillbilly Baptism at the base of the lower half of the twin falls
Me doing a Hillbilly Baptism at the lower twin falls (Photo by John Forbes)
After a long time in the splash pool we found it was equally as difficult if not more so, to get back down to the base as, the rocks were still slick. We managed to pull this off without incident and made our way back out the rugged gorge stopping only to grab a few pics of the many other waterfalls found there.
John getting some pics of the twin falls
Looking over at the twin falls before heading out of the gorge
Zoomed shot of the upper half of the twin falls
The twin falls
Just one of may pools and small falls along the course of the Devils Creek
Devils Creek
Falls along Devils Creek
More falls found along Devils Creek
More falls found along Devils Creek
Falls along Devils Creek
Falls along Devils Creek
Falls along Devils Creek
Falls along Devils Creek
Falls along Devils Creek
Devils Creek
Falls along Devils Creek
Falls on Devils Creek
Once arriving back at the mighty Nolichuckey River gorge we continued the trek out beside the river to get back to the starting point. It took only a few minutes of being back out into the exposed, sun drenched gorge to make us wish we were back at the cold splash pool. It had been another grand day spent in one of Nature`s finest places with yet another location checked off Tyler`s list. Until the next time,,,,
John Gnome poses in the middle of the mighty Nolichucky River
John Gnomin` it up in the Nolichucky River !
John Gnome poses in the river with a scenic view of the gorge and Flattop Mountain behind him
Group pic along the Nolichucky River (Tommy Warden – Tyler Tarpley – RAT – John Forbes)
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.
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