North Harper, Chestnut Cove Branch, and an Unnamed Falls – 10-3-2017
After last weeks trip to South Harper Falls, I decided I might as well take my son Tyler to North Harper and Chestnut Branch Falls as they are in the same area and are on his list of waterfalls not yet seen. There is also another waterfall, an unnamed, dot-less beauty, not too far from there that I have never seen documented before that I was sure we would have to check out also. I have kept this one to myself for a few years now. After another early morning start we would soon be at the trail head and hiking towards the falls. The trail to the North Harper Falls starts near the very beginning of North Harper Creek and continues about 7 miles to where it ends at Wilson Creek. It passes by numerous known waterfalls such as North Harper, Chestnut Cove Branch, Bard, and Harper Falls as it is joined by Harper Creek (the one that comes down from South Harper Falls) not to mention numerous smaller, unnamed falls in between. It has always been a favorite route of mine to hike and camp on. There are many other side trails coming in from both sides which provides unlimited hiking loop possibilities as well. From the Jeep it did not take long to hike the not quite a mile distance to the top of North Harper Falls.
Lower part of North Harper Falls
Tyler at the trail head beside obligatory signage !
North Harper Falls is like getting two falls in one as the top part is a long cascading type falls that seems to go forever but, ends abruptly at a vertical drop off where the lower part is a nice 45 foot falls. I was hoping for some more Fall color but, it was still too early for that. It was dry enough however, for us to walk right down the upper part of the falls which is much shorter than the trail around except for one place where the water changes sides you do have go into the woods and down a steep descent to the top of the vertical falls to come back out at.
Huge mushroom we came across
Top of the big mushroom
Small falls and nice swimming hole at the first creek crossing
A very scenic area along the creek
Some signs of Fall on the ground but, not much on the trees yet
Coming out on the top of North Harper Falls
Deep pothole near the top of the falls
Looking down the top part of North Harper Falls
Me at the top of North Harper Creek Falls (Photo by Tyler Tarpley)
Me a bit farther down the North Harper Creek Falls (Photo by Tyler Tarpley)
Tyler at the top of the falls
Panning left getting a side view of the top of the falls. During high flow you can`t stand here !
Looking farther left and slightly down the top part of the falls
Making my way slowly down the top part of the falls. You can see where this part ends and drops off vertical way down below here. It is farther down there than it looks and of course it is steeper than the camera sees it.
The water switches over to the left side which forces you into the woods to get around it
I popped back out of the woods long enough to get this shot of the purple weed ! Now closer to the bottom of the cascading part of these mighty falls. Now back into the woods to get around this change of direction and to the top of the vertical falls.
Looking back up you can tell that you can not see a lot of the very top of the falls just as you can not see this steep drop from up there which is why it looks short from the top than it really is.
Another view from the other side.
Very cool how the water has carved out troughs just below each drop. This is a very colorful falls too.
Tyler getting pics looking up the falls. Again you can see another steeper drop behind him that is not visible from the tip top of the falls. This is what makes these falls much larger than they appear from up there. it is good when it is possible to get out onto them like this to experience all they have to offer.
Looking down at the end of the cascading part of the falls where the vertical begins. it appears as if you could just walk down there from where I am standing. NOT ! There is another large trough at the base of that drop ! Back into back to the other side and into the woods to get around this drop to come out at the top of the vertical.
besides lighting, this is another good reason to start early. You can see the morning sunrise just starting to come up !
Making my way back over to the woods
Another view looking down
View from atop the final drop looking at the edge of the vertical drop off part of the falls. This is gorgeous when the Fall colors are in peak !
When the water is not too high it is possible to cross the top of the lower falls but, it is very dangerous as one slip here would not have a very good end result. We were lucky on this day and were able to get across it without issue. This not only affords better views looking up at the upper part of these falls but, I like going to the other side and down to the base of the vertical lower falls as it cuts off a lot of trail distance since the main trail goes up a rather large hill then down to an intersection where you then have to go steeply down more to get to the creek again and then backtrack upstream to find the falls. I showed Tyler my nifty shortcut Ninja trail and we were at the base of the lower part of the falls within 2 minutes !
Popping out of the woods right at the top of the vertical drop of North Harper Falls
Looking back up from my perch on top of the vertical drop off
Tyler taking a nap at the top of the falls ? I hope he doesn`t toss and turn in his sleep !
Looking up the final drop of the cascading part of the falls
Looking across the top of the vertical edge of the falls
Close to the edge of the lower part of the falls
Testing the waters to see how slick it is ! (Photo by Tyler Tarpley)
The moment of truth ! Action shot ! (Photo by Tyler Tarpley)
Safely across to the other side ! (Photo by Tyler Tarpley)
Me at the top edge of the vertical falls (Photo by Tyler Tarpley)
Tyler contemplating crossing the slick top edge of the vertical falls ! it is farther across that it looks from the other side. This is extremely dangerous as there is no way to recover if you go down here.
Tyler psyching himself up to cross.
Looking down at where you would go if you slipped.
The beautiful colors of the trough pool at the top of the vertical falls. This is why you can not come down this way from above.(unless you have water shoes on and wish to get wet and risk sliding off the vertical falls !!)
Tyler getting some shots
Making my way across the top edge of the vertical part of the falls towards the shortcut ninja trail that is hiding just in the woods there.
Looking back up the cascading part of the falls
Looking back at Tyler on the top edge of the vertical falls
Trough splash pool view
The following series of pictures I took of the lower / vertical part of the North Harper Creek Falls using my larger camera:
Lower part of the falls (side view)
Side view of the falls
Lower part of North Harper Creek Falls
Side view of the falls
It was too bright to get the swirlie I wanted
Swirlie at the base of the falls
Swirlie
Side view of the falls (Photo by Tyler Tarpley)
Tyler`s Swirly ! No Tripod. (Photo by Tyler Tarpley)
Tyler`s swirly ! No Tripod. (Photo by Tyler Tarpley)
Making my way around the main event !
Tyler at the lower part of the falls
Tyler at the lower part of the falls
Tyler at the lower part of North Harper Creek Falls
Our group shot at the falls and I did not know the lens was fogged up !
Straight on view of the lower part of the falls
Lower part of the falls
Lower part of the falls
This is one of the best angles and shots I got of the falls on this day
I like the framing of this angle but, the light had intensified by this time.
Lower part of the falls
Lower part of the falls
Lower part of the falls
We stayed at at the lower part of the falls for quite awhile as it is a beautiful area. I have camped here a few times in the past. From there we headed downstream a very short distance to where the top of Chestnut Cove Branch Falls is located. Again due to the exposed rock being dry we were able to walk right down the falls which is an added benefit which is not possible during high water levels or when it is frozen. Chestnut Cove Branch Falls is another long cascading type falls that has a lot of deep potholes. During the summer months they contain large Great Northern Watersnakes that prey upon the tadpoles, lizards, and other creatures that live in them not to mention the water is like a hot tub for them verses the much colder water of the falls.
Top of Chestnut Cove Branch Falls
Looking down Chestnut Cove Branch falls
One of many potholes found on these falls. No water snakes this time !
Another one of numerous potholes.
Tyler at the top of Chestnut Cove Branch falls
Pothole
Tyler atop the falls above a minefield of potholes
Tyler atop of Chestnut Cove Branch Falls
Me about half way down Chestnut Cove Branch Falls (Photo by Tyler Tarpley)
Tyler giving some scale to the top part of the falls. This is just over a fourth of their entire length.
Wider view of Tyler at the top of the falls
View of Tyler at the top from further down.
Most of the falls have cut their way under the laurels
More of these very long cascading falls
And finally the bottom section ! The actual Chestnut Cove Branch is hidden in the trees to the right of the splash pool
Looking back up the falls at Tyler who is checking out some potholes. You can start to see more of the size and slope of the falls
At the base of Chestnut Cove Branch Falls is a small feeder stream which is actually why the falls are named as such. There is a nice small falls there but, it is hard to see as it is hidden by growth and a deep pool is between you and it. I have explored it and although it is a lovely creek there are no other significant falls on it. Getting back to the main trail from the base of Chestnut Branch Falls is a bit confusing and I have never understood why there is not a visible trail there. You have to go a short distance downstream and find the ‘path of least resistance’ to climb back up to the main trail which is hiding just above you. Taking a left on it leads up a steep hill where you eventually come to an intersection. Going right is a really nice trail that leads gradually up to Forest Road #464 (comes out right at the lower trail head to the Little Lost Cove Cliffs). Going left continues uphill a short ways until you come back out at the top of North Harper Falls where we started. From there it`s just under a mile back to the vehicle to complete a really nice loop.
Chestnut Cove Branch Falls
This is the actual Chestnut Cove Branch as it enters into North Harper Creek at the base of the falls
Base and splash pool of the falls and the branch they are named for
Overall view of the Chestnut Cove Branch Falls
Finally back up to the main trail
Going back across one of the many creek crossings on our way back to the vehicle
I could not resist getting some shots of this beautiful creek.
Creek shot
Creek shot (North Harper Creek)
North Harper Creek
Tyler is very focused doing a ninja log walk over the final creek crossing. That is a small log !
Tyler feeling more confident now that he is almost across !
Since it was still early in the day, I had another trail I wanted to check out in the area so we went there and hiked out an old yellow blazed trail to see what kind of shape it was in and where exactly it would lead to. I was in hopes of finding a short cut to another known location nearby but, it did not pan out. Although the trail is not well traveled, it is a really nice area and was well worth the time we spent exploring it.
There were some large trees growing in this area. The trail was faint but, there were old yellow blazes to follow (look at the lower right of this picture)
Closer up on these beautiful trees.
Small cave on top of a rock cliff. I am sure something lives in there.
This gal had some issues going on ‘down there’ !
Fungus among us
Close up of the fungus. Still learning this new pocket cam
Closer up trying to see if the macro works (although I was not using a tripod)
It had became rather warm by the time we got back to the vehicle as the sun was getting high in the sky and had burned off the clouds from earlier. A short drive and a short off trail hike later would find us at an unnamed, hidden jewel that I have kept a secret for many years. It is a very nice waterfall not on any known trail in a very wilderness type area. The splash pool is really deep so you can swim there as well. It is very slanted and very slick at the base of these falls which almost caused me to go for a swim fully clothed ! I luckily recovered and avoided taking an unwanted bath ! Tyler enjoyed these falls more than any of the named ones I think.
Killer view from the Jeep side window from Headquarters Mountain as we left the area.
Unnamed falls
Unnamed falls
Unnamed falls
Unnamed falls. You can see how steep the slope is and the deep pool it leads to !
Unnamed falls
The splash pool is as deep as I am tall, probably a little more so.
Unnamed falls
The following images I was able to capture using my larger camera:
Tyler at the unnamed jewel that I have kept secret for many years
Closer up of Tyler at the unnamed falls
Unnamed falls
Close up of the unnamed falls
Unnamed falls
Unnamed falls
Me after almost falling into the deep pool !
Me doing a gnome pose on the slickest spot known to man !
Group shot at the unnamed falls. Tyler is blurry because he just barely got there on the third shot after a 10 second delay !!!!
Unnamed falls
I am going out on a limb here (literally) to say that this was probably the best picture I took all day.
We spent some time there enjoying the pristine area and getting some pics before climbing back up to the Jeep and heading home. We did run down the Blue Ridge Parkway a ways to check the status of the Fall leaf colors first. It had been another productive and very fun day spending time with my son in some more of Nature`s best areas and checking off more falls from Tyler`s list. We have recently purchased some climbing rope and rappelling gear so I am sure one of our next destinations will include some cliffs for learning and practicing some needed techniques for that. Until then,,,
We went down the parkway a ways to see how the leaf colors were progressing. Nowhere near ready yet (view of Grandfather Mtn)
Colors just starting.
Colors near Grandfather Mountain not ready but, still pretty
The reds were nice on grandfather on this day but, peak was a long way off.
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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