RATtreks

Simmons Branch Falls 2 – 23-2011

My hiking and fellow waterfall loving friend Dave Aldridge has been wanting to go see the Simmons Branch Falls for quite sometime now and had recently managed a trip to the lower falls but, was unsure on how to get past them to the middle and uppers as it does seem an impervious task. We decided to go on a warm, sunny, Wednesday in late February while the water levels were fairly high which makes for much better waterfall viewing and photographing. We left Hairnt-Quarters around 9 am stopping for breakfast at a local diner in Unicoi before continuing on to Bumpass Cove. The gate is closed during this time of year so we had to park in a way as to not block it and yet stay off of any private property that surrounds the entrance to the forest there. It did not take long to get to the lower falls and to my surprise there was actually water flowing in what is called the ‘feeder falls‘ to the left of the lower falls. (don’t ask me why they are called that) Since Dave had recently been to the lower falls and did not need to climb over to them to get photo`s, and wanted to begin the arduous climb to the top, I showed him the route to take while I went over to the base of the lower falls and setup my tripod to take some pics. The last time I was here, there was no where near this much water and the time before (my first time actually) it was frozen solid. I had no longer set up and taken a few pics when I heard Dave hairnt at me from the top. I was glad he had made it safely as it is a steep climb with a rock cliff to negotiate at the top. I finished my pics and soon joined him up there. After that climb I had to rest before continuing on so I took a pic of the falls from the cliff above them while catching my breath. Looking down off this rock is very cool and it is a long way to the bottom where you just came from.

Lower Simmons Branch Falls

I took Dave the nifty way from there down to the valley just above the lower falls. We crossed the creek and stopped at a small cascade there for a short snack and water break before continuing further towards the middle falls. Although there is not really a visible trail, it is much easier walking from this point as the valley is open and not so steep. It does not take much time at all before you can start to see the middle falls. They do not look like much at first, but you will see they are very spectacular once you get closer. It is best to keep to the creek at this point in order to get closer to the falls for better viewing. These are actually the nicest of the three I think, as they are a three tiered falls with each level being different with its own unique characteristics. It is said that the Native Americans used to bathe in a waterfall with three levels somewhere in this area, perhaps this could be it ?

Middle Simmons Branch Falls

Lower parts of Middle Simmons Branch Falls

The best way to enjoy these falls and to get decent pics is to make your way right up the creek and climb each level one at a time. Standing on top of the second level is my favorite. Once you make your way to the top level, you then have to climb up to the right side to the old logging road above which takes you on to almost the upper falls.  Of course this is the way you will take on the return trip, passing above the middle falls instead of taking the creek which gives you a different perspective of them. We took our time climbing up all the middle falls taking as many pics as we could before climbing up to the log road and continuing to the upper falls. The sun was bright and shining directly into the camera lens so it was not easy to get many usable shots but Dave was having a grand time like a kid in a carnival !

Lower part of Middle Simmons Branch Falls

Middle part of Middle Simmons Branch Falls

Upper part of Middle Simmons Branch Falls

Upper part of Middle Simmons Branch Falls

It is not far at all to the upper falls but they are almost hidden from sight until you get right up on them and then you have to cross the creek at the cascades at the bottom to take the steep left side up to reach the base of the upper falls as the old log road trail comes to an end there. Several nice cascades are found here before reaching the actual upper falls.

Cascades below the upper falls

Cascades below the upper falls

Cascades below the upper falls

Cascades below the upper falls

There is no trail from this point on but it is not that bad. Once you get past the awesome cascades found along the bottom, you can then start to see the upper falls and realize just how tall they really are. At least 90+ feet according to Dave’s waterfall measuring device (depending on what you consider the bottom). We made the last steep ascent to the viewing place at the old log where we rested and enjoyed the beauty of the area. (here is a pic of Bol’Dar and myself taken on our last trip of the ‘resting place‘) There is much to see here with vertical sides, steep ridges,  and rock cliffs on both sides. After I rested up a bit, I made the extra effort and climbed the falls one level at a time all the way to the top and touched the huge pine tree that towers over the falls and the valley below it.

Upper Simmons Branch Falls

Upper part of Upper Simmons Branch Falls

There was a lot of bear scat on the way up, especially right near the top as it seems they use this place regularly. The creek continues further up the valley beyond the top of the falls but gets narrow and steeper not to mention becomes much overgrown and gnarley. I have heard that the water source comes from an aquifer under a large rock and I hope one day to make it to that place to find out. A friend of mine actually attempted this a couple weeks ago, but did not make it far enough. It is my idea to come down from the top one day to make it somewhat easier although I know there will be nothing easy about it.

Top of Upper Simmons Branch Falls

Top of Upper Simmons Branch Falls

Upper Levels of the Upper Simmons Branch Falls

Upper part of Upper Simmons Branch Falls

There is a small waterfall at the tip top of the upper falls that you can not see from below. I did not climb up here last time so I was glad to see these and get a pic. It was cool standing on top and watching the water fall beneath you. There are some very cool rocks and cutaways on each of the various levels as you make your way up the actual falls. I tried to capture it in pics but it’s one of those things where you almost just have to be there to take it all in. It is dangerous climbing any falls as the rocks are very slick, so extreme caution must be used and take each step as if it may be your last because it just might very well be !

Falls at tip top of Upper Simmons Branch Falls

Upper portion of the Upper Simmons Branch Falls

We enjoyed our time at the upper falls and as always hated to leave, but the sun was starting to drop and we knew we had to begin our journey out as I wanted to show Dave my secret way out from the top of the lower falls where you do not have to climb back down them, and also take a much nicer trail back to the starting point which also leads you out the East Branch of Simmons Creek where there is another set of nice falls to see. Getting down from the upper falls is actually harder than getting up them but after some carefully placed steps and a little sliding, we were soon back to the cascades at the bottom where we crossed the creek over to where the old log road is and in no time was back at the middle falls only this time looking down on them. I snapped a few pics from that angle before continuing down to where the old road plays out into the valley just before the lower falls. We crossed the creek and took the trail that leads to above the lower falls where I found the secret way over to the nice old road that takes you over into the hollow where the water from the feeder falls comes from. This is a very good trail and it quickly and easily negotiates the ridge and drops down to the 4 wheel drive road where you go left and back to where we started. You can hear the East Branch of Simmons creek before you even get there and the water was actually running right down the road. We also heard something before we reached the East Branch falls so we climbed down into the deep chasm there and discovered some really nice small falls that to my knowledge have not been documented. After getting some pics of these, we then went further down the road to where you can climb further down to the larger East Branch falls. These were looking very nice that day and I did manage to get some nice pics of them before we had to walk the rest of the road back to the vehicle. I recalled many years ago riding jeeps, trucks,  and motorcycles up this road over the huge ruts and boulders long before the new road was built but it is now mostly used by horses.

Small Falls discovered above the East Branch Simmons Falls

East Branch Simmons Falls

East Branch Simmons Falls

This had been a great day to be in the woods and an even greater day for viewing waterfalls with the high water levels, not to mention my friend Dave can now mark a few more waterfalls off his list. We had a good time and hope to do it again soon.

To view the complete collection of photos of Simmons Branch Falls please visit our Gallery.