RATtreks

Simmons Branch Falls – 10-17-2014

I have not been to the Simmons Branch Falls area since February 23, 2011. This is not just because of low water levels but, mainly because the access to them has been seemingly cut off by the guy who owns the private property at the end of the road. It seems he was able to purchase the property adjacent to his which is just across the road where in recent years a structure had burned down there so it came up for sale. I also found out that the forest service did not have a written right of way across this property so he was able to close off access to their road and government gate with a huge steel beam gate which was very surprising to me. I heard many tales of Mr. Turner chasing people away at gunpoint so I was not anxious to confront him although I have been told that he (Rick) and his brother Eric are not that bad and would allow access to some people if asked correctly as it seems they only want to stop any hunters or undesirables from being on his property. I always respect the rights or property owners and will go out of my way to get permission if at all possible before trespassing but, in this case I did not have to do either as I was able to find an easy way in to the falls all on government land and not crossing any of the private property.

On this trip I would be accompanied by my long time friend Bol’Dar and our mutual friend Jeff Dean who has been dying to see these falls for quite some time now. Although we did get some rains recently I knew there would still not be a lot of water on the falls but, since I was wanting to locate a new way in to them, I agreed to go and lead the expedition. Parking at the end of the road at the circle turnaround there so as to stay off any private property, we began the hike by not going down the road that leads to the Turner property but, instead taking the old forest dirt road just above it where I would find an easy way to access government land without crossing anything private. it was there that we found some really cool mushrooms that were over a foot tall !

After crossing a couple ridges via some newly discovered ninja trails, we came out at the old hunters camp well above the old forest service gate where we used to come in from. We could not ask for any better ! I am pretty sure that from that point it would still be forest service land from there to the lower falls going in the old way by the old mine, but, until I find out for sure we would not be going that way. The trail is overgrown and full of blow downs anyway so I followed the old forest service road up to where my shortcut ninja trail is that leads a direct and easy route to the top of the lower falls. Of course this meant climbing down the steep cliff to get to the base of them and then having to climb back up it but, it`s worth it. Jeff was happy to finally be there.

Naturally it was going to be a bright, and sunny day which would ruin any chances of getting any good waterfall pics and, there was not a lot of water flowing but, it was still beautiful and worth being there. After climbing back up the steep cliff we followed the ninja trail down into the valley above the top of the lower falls. There is not really a trail there but, it`s pretty easy to make your way up to where the middle falls are. These are well hidden in the trees and laurels there but do become very visible once you get on them. It is rumored that the Cherokee Indians used to bathe here when they were in the area. I always follow the creek up and climb directly up the falls in order to get pics and then take the old log road high above them on the right side on the way back.

There are three levels to the middle falls. My favorite is the upper drop.Too bad the sun was right in our camera lenses.

From there one must climb up a very steep bank to reach the old log road which will lead a ways farther until it plays out into the creek where some other smaller falls are. Eventually it becomes so steep that you have no choice but to take the left side and begin climbing. This will require finding all the ancient ninja root holds as there is not much to hold on to there. You should start to see the upper falls from that point on.

The upper falls are listed at 75 feet high but,  I am sure they are over 100. This was quite a treat for Jeff and I always enjoy seeing peoples reactions to seeing a falls for their first time. We rested awhile at the best vantage point for taking pics and then we all climbed the falls to the tip top which is no easy feat by any means. I took pics of them as they climbed up one level at a time and then I followed suit to meet them at the top.

We ate lunch there with our feet hanging over the top edge. There is actually another small drop just above the top that you can not see from the bottom as is the case of so many waterfalls. There is also a HUGE old growth pine tree that lives just above the top of these falls that seems to guard them from his high seat there.

Going back down is almost as hard as going up. The camera does not do it any justice at all in showing just how steep it is. The bears like it as there is always plenty of signs and scat supporting this fact. We rested at the bottom and got a few more pics before continuing the steep descent to the creek below the upper falls.

I stopped at the small falls below the upper falls on my way out to try and get a couple better pics of them:

It did not take long to get back to the old log road and out the Simmons Creek Valley to the old ninja trails that would lead us back to the old road we came in on. Once back on the old road after much looking, we found the small grotto falls that are hidden below on the East Branch of Simmons Creek. Not much water there but, worth the climb down to see nonetheless.

As we were climbing back out onto the road from those we met a lone horse rider on his way in to camp overnight. Come to find out that he is a Broyles and the son of a woman whom I knew and used to spend a lot of time with in Bumpass Cove there many years ago. Back when I hung out there a lot as a teenager, playing music and singing with the Henley family, I spent many hours at his moms house where she would feed us some awesome meals. We shared a lot of common memories before he went on up the mountain and we continued on to our vehicle. On the way back we decided to follow his tracks out since he had stated he came in basically the same way we did just to avoid his neighbor ! Unfortunately his way was long and drawn out and uphill and complete with switchbacks, which doesn`t matter I guess when you are riding a horse !

All in all it had been another awesome day in the mountains seeing four really nice waterfalls and the icing on the cake was finding a really easy and convenient way in to these falls without having to trespass or deal with any angry property owners. I am already looking forward to the next adventure,,,,,,,