While going over my list of awesome places that my son Tyler has not yet been to, it dawned on me that I had not yet introduced him to the amazing world of Big Ivy located within the Coleman Boundary. This is a huge backcountry area that is well off the beaten path that butts up against the Blue Ridge Parkway below the Craggy Gardens range. It is rich in streams and waterfalls, a dozen or so located right along the gravel forest road that leads to the trail head of the well known Douglas Falls. There are dozens of more falls found off trail along the numerous waterways that flow through the area if you do not mind creek whacking through steep and rough terrain. I know this thanks to the person that introduced me to this area on a trip we took back in July of 2011 who was my dear friend Dave Aldridge. (RIP Dave) It was a dark, rainy morning as we drove over into North Carolina We were hoping the rain would stop and the clouds hang around. We drove to the end of the road to our first stop which would be to the main event, Douglas Falls.
Douglas Falls in the rain and fog
Douglas Falls features a 70 foot veil that you can actually walk behind. It is said that is was named after Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas, who was appointed to the court by Franklin D. Roosevelt and was an active environmentalist. The easiest way to get to them is the long and very scenic gravel forest road (#74) and hike the half mile trail to the base of the falls. The other is a strenuous hike down from the Craggy Gardens Visitor Center on a very rugged 6.6 mile trail. (also known as the Carter Creek Falls Trails) I always go to the end of the gravel road and hike the easy half mile trail to them and this trip would be no exception. Unfortunately, it did not stop raining and the mountain was shrouded in fog along with a brisk breeze that never stopped blowing, making the chance for any good pictures impossible.
Tyler beside a huge root system of a large downed tree along the Douglas Falls trail. Tyler beside a large tree along the trail. If it was not foggy you would be able to see a glimpse of the falls in the backgroundFirst full view of Douglas Falls. as you can see it was very foggy and it was windy and rainingDouglas Falls in rain and fog
Although it was windy , raining and very foggy, I setup my larger camera on the tripod and took a few pics anyway. They did not turn out very good:
Douglas Falls Douglas Falls (the wind never stopped so getting anything in focus was impossible)Douglas Falls Tyler stands at the base of Douglas Falls Douglas Falls in thick fogMe standing at the base of the falls Me at the bottom of the falls Me gnome posing beside Douglas Falls I am standing behind the veil at the base of the falls. Tyler is across from me taking my picture if you can find him,,, As I climbed one side of the falls I could see Tyler climbing up the other. No clarity however due to rain and fog. Tyler seen behind the falls Top of the fallsI could not get the entire falls in the frame. They are 70+ feet high.Side profile of Douglas FallsSide view of Douglas Falls (taken with my larger camera) While I was shooting pics of the side profile I checked the cliff for anchors. Of course I found one ! Do you see it ? Zoomed shot of the anchor I found. Side view of the falls A parting shot of the falls with slightly less fog on our way out with my larger camera Last pic of Douglas Falls with my larger camera before hiking out.
After hiking the easy half mile back to the vehicle, we then stopped at every waterfall there is along the 8.8 mile long road. This includes the largest one, Walker Falls. The rain eventually ended but, the majority of the clouds ended as well so, I did what I could to get decent photos as we made our way back out of this beautiful area. We plan to return in the future so I can show Tyler more of the off trail falls that are much harder to get to, and much nicer.
Small roadside falls Same falls taken with larger cameraAnother roadside fallsSame falls taken with larger cameraIsolated section of the same falls taken with larger cameraNice falls beside the road. Most all of these were actually formed by the cutting of the road. If you look closely you can see the drill marks on some. another angle of these pretty falls Same falls taken with larger cameraSame falls different angle taken with larger camerasame falls different exposure same falls, higher angle to show the top part of the falls using larger cameraThe next series of small falls and cascades on our way out. same series only taken with larger cameraAnother beautiful creek (Staire Branch) and falls along the way. Same creek (Staire Branch) and falls only taken with my larger cameraWalker Falls walker Falls Walker Falls (taken with larger camera) Walker Falls Walker Falls Walker Falls Walker Falls Walker Falls After Walker Falls there is a really cool set of cliffs. I am sure there are anchors here as I have seen climbers on it before. Driving by the base of the cliffsFalls at Little Andy CreekFalls on Little Andy Creek Falls on Little Andy CreekTyler above the falls on Little Andy CreekTyler at the falls along Little Andy Creek Falls on Little Andy Creek (taken with larger camera) Falls on Little Andy Creek (taken with larger camera) Falls on Little Andy Creek (taken with larger camera) Closeup of the falls on Little Andy Creek Close up of the falls on Little Andy Creek (find Tyler)
Despite the rainy weather, it had been a nice day in the woods and we are already looking forward to the next big adventure. Until then,,,
Saw this turkey on our way home. Reminded me of the one in the ‘Cold Turkey Chantix’ commercials ! Turkey along the road in Big Ivy. Looks like the one in the ‘cold turkey Chantix’ commercials !!
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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