Dick Creek Falls – 2-19-2017
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
Upper Dick Creek Falls
The water levels were very decent and the light was not too bright yet so we were able to get a few usable pics of the falls. It was not long before we heard the group approaching. With a group this large it does take a lot of time to allow for each person to take their turn getting into the desired positions needed in order to photograph the falls. The lower falls are so photogenic that this took awhile to give everyone a chance at seeing and capturing their images there.
Lower Dick Creek Falls
Lower Dick Creek Falls
Lower Dick Creek Falls
Lower Dick Creek Falls
Lower Dick Creek Falls
Lower Dick Creek Falls
Lower Dick Creek Falls
Lower Dick Creek Falls
Lower Dick Creek Falls
Lower Dick Creek Falls
Lower Dick Creek Falls
Lower Dick Creek Falls
Lower Dick Creek Falls
Lower Dick Creek Falls
Lower Dick Creek Falls (as seen from above)
Lower Dick Creek Falls (as seen from above)
Lower Dick Creek Falls (as seen from above)
Lower Dick Creek Falls (as seen from above)
Lower Dick Creek Falls (as seen from above)
Small split falls located just above the top of Lower Dick Creek Falls
Small split falls just above the top of Lower Dick Creek Falls
Small split falls just above the top of Lower Dick Creek Falls
Checking out Tyler`s phone. Hey, what does that button do ? Click ! I think Tyler looks like Tickle from the Moonshiners TV show in this picture ! lol
Once all that was done at the lower falls, everyone proceeded upstream towards the Upper Dick Creek Falls while Tyler and I moved our vehicle up to the end of the road. Once there I advised the group that I was taking the more scenic route up the creek right side (which is actually on your left if you are going upstream as we would be) and that anyone who wished to go with us was more than welcome. A few of the more adventurous members of the group did take me up on the offer and the others took the more traditional route up the other side. I always go this way and come back the other to make a more enjoyable loop plus it eliminates having to cross the top of the falls and climb up and around and then down etc., in order to get down to the base of the falls as they are not easily accessible from the other side. It did not take very long to reach the upper falls.
Not only is it a pleasant hike on the high left side going upstream along the creek but, you also get this grand entrance to the base of the Upper Dick Creeks falls. It is however, very easy to miss the turn off !!!
Following the grand entrance down to the base of the upper falls. Tyler has already dropped his pack and excitedly made his way down to the falls. This was his first time seeing any of the upper falls.
Looking across the face of the falls on my way down to the base
Side view of the Upper Dick Creek Falls
Upper Dick Creek Falls
Most of the group at Upper Dick Creek Falls (Photo by Tyler Tarpley)
Fun at Upper Dick Creek Falls
Upper Dick Creek Falls
Upper Dick Creek Falls
Upper Dick Creek Falls
Scott Burns takes his place at the top of Upper Dick Creek Falls
Upper Dick Creek Falls
small feeder falls just behind the group at Upper Dick Creek Falls (Photo by Tyler Tarpley)
Upper Dick Creek Falls
Upper Dick Creek Falls
Upper Dick Creek Falls
Upper Dick Creek Falls
Upper Dick Creek Falls
Isolated shot of the far left plume with John Forbes standing in for scale.
The small falls and gold pool at the top of Upper Dick Creek Falls
Golden pool at the top of the Upper Dick Creek Falls
We spent quite a bit of time at these very scenic falls in order for everyone to get their turns at photographing them from the base then checking out the small falls and gold splash pool at the top of the falls before proceeding on the off trail route to the Upper Upper Dick Creek Falls. This very tall and unique falls (and all the others above it) was discovered by local and legendary mountain man, Larry Jarret of Roan Mountain. There was a lot of oohs and aahs over these mystic falls and ample time was spent there as well before moving on which requires climbing some large, sketchy cliffs.
Some Gnomin` goin` on at the Upper Upper Dick Creek Falls !
A few more of the group beneath Upper Upper Dick Creek Falls (Photo by Tyler Tarpley)
Upper Upper Dick Creek Falls (Photo by Tyler Tarpley)
Upper Upper Dick Creek Falls
Upper Upper Dick Creek Falls
Upper Upper Dick Creek Falls
Upper Upper Dick Creek Falls
Upper Upper Dick Creek Falls
Upper Upper Dick Creek Falls
Upper Upper Dick Creek Falls
Upper Upper Dick Creek Falls
Upper Upper Dick Creek Falls
Andy Kunkle stands in for scale to the Upper Upper Dick Creek Falls
The next falls, the Upper Upper Upper Dick Creek Falls, is found after climbing the cliffs and bushwhacking your way a short distance upstream. Not as tall as the previous falls but, very picturesque and well worth the effort. Most everyone made it to these falls eventually yet, only my son Tyler and Scott Burns took the time to climb yet another vertical cliff to get to the next set of falls (Upper Upper Upper Upper Dick Creek Falls). These are the smallest of all the falls along the Dick Creek corridor though they are worth seeing as they are a wide shelf type falls where you can actually get behind the falling water.
Side profile of the Upper Upper Upper Dick Creek Falls
Side view of the Upper Upper Upper Dick Creek Falls
Side profile of the Upper Upper Upper Dick Creek Falls
Upper Upper Upper Dick Creek Falls with Scott Burns standing in for scale ! (Photo by Tyler Tarpley)
Upper Upper Upper Dick Creek Falls
Upper Upper Upper Dick Creek Falls
Upper Upper Upper Dick Creek Falls
Upper Upper Upper Dick Creek Falls
Opposite side profile of Upper Upper Upper Dick Creek falls
Upper Upper Upper Dick Creek Falls . You can see the sun is now shining on the falls.
Upper Upper Upper Dick Creek Falls
Upper Upper Upper Dick Creek Falls
Upper Upper Upper Dick Creek Falls
Tyler and I came back down the Upper Upper Falls on the opposite side (creek right) than we went up so we could carefully climb out the narrow ledge to the upper drop of the falls to get some pics from that perspective.
Top of the Upper Upper Dick Creek falls
Up close and personal with the top of the Upper Upper Dick Creek Falls
Upper part of the Upper Upper Dick Creek Falls
Upper drop of the Upper Upper Dick Creek Falls
Looking down from the top of the Upper Upper Dick Creek Falls
Looking down the chute from the top of the Upper Upper Dick Creek Falls
Upper part of the Upper Upper Dick Creek Falls. After seeing this image, i regret not taking the time to get my tripod and larger camera out although, it is very narrow and very slick on this puckering perch !
Top drop of the Upper Upper Dick Creek Falls
Top drop of the Upper Upper Dick Creek Falls
Looking across (over the upper upper falls) at what is called Totem Pole Rock on the other side.
Lower part of the Upper Upper Dick Creek Falls
Lower part of Upper Upper Dick Creek Falls
Lower part of Upper Upper Dick Creek Falls
Lower part of Upper Upper Dick Creek Falls
It was getting late in the day so not as much time was spent at the last falls so everyone started making their way back downstream to the Upper Dick Creek Falls. Once the group was back together we all made our back back towards the lower Dick Creek area.
Tyler beside a large root system of a blow down that is between the Upper and Upper Upper falls
Upper Dick Creek Falls as seen from creek left
Upper Dick Creek Falls
Tyler and I only had to get back to our vehicle that was parked just above the lower falls but, the rest of the group had a hill to climb and a few more miles back over the mountain to Rock Creek Park where they had started. For them it would be uphill both ways ! For Tyler and I it would be a slow, arduous ride through deep ruts, over many rocks, and through dozens of deep mud holes before driving through a two creeks ! In other words, it would be a lot more fun !
One of many mud holes along the 4wd road out of Dick Creek.
More mud !
it is one mud hole after another almost the entire way, about 2+ miles
it is a lot of fun !
Ruts !
You need some clearance for a lot of this
4 wd is a must !!!
An ocean of mud !!
Side road
Part of Dick Creek emptying into North Indian Creek both of which you must drive through and across to get to the paved road.
Crossing North Indian Creek. This can get very large at times.
It is deeper than it looks as even at this water level, it does come to almost over my rocker panels. This is due to the many vehicles that cross here making it deeper than it appears. Higher water levels always bring in unseen rocks and boulders as well so you must cross very carefully.
It had been another good day in the mountains and finally meeting some new people in person. I am already looking forward to the next adventure. Until next time,,,
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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