The Rhino Horn Cliffs – 11-5-2016
The Rhino Horn Cliffs (a name given to them by our group, the ‘Camel Servicer`s’ ) are a prestigious series of impressive vertical rock formations that sit on Black Mountain, some 650 feet above Laurel Falls (Hampton,TN). I have looked up at them for well over 30 years now, each time vowing that I would one day stand upon them. That day finally came. It was with much help from my friend and fellow ‘Camel Servicer’, Larry Jarret that would make it all possible. He too had always had this quest on his list and after much research had plotted a route to the cliffs from above them. This required a completely off trail trek that would include a steep climb and an even steeper descent all while navigating in and around private property. It turned out to be the perfect avenue as we would discover that getting down to the lower areas and bases of the cliffs did require using a rope thus the idea of climbing up to the top of the cliffs from the waterfall and gorge below (like we had always assumed would be the way we would go) would not be possible as, it would require some very technical freestyle climbing and ropes etc. On this expedition would be Larry Jarret, John Forbes, my son Tyler Tarpley, and me, the RATman.
The Rhino Horn Cliffs (Photo by Larry Jarrett)
It was a very sunny day with mild temperatures early that morning as we met up with our fearless leader and began the steep climb to the top of the mountain. The sun felt good though, I knew it was going to ruin the chances of any good photographs of the slightly past peak (for this area) leaf colors. After a slow and steady climb we eventually reached the top of the mountain. From there we would depend the expert skills of our leader to locate the right place to begin our descent as it was very obvious that a poor choice would lead us into some extremely steep, ‘cliffy’, laurel infested ‘hells’.
John up ahead of me on the steep climb up the mountain as the sun is just showing over the summit
After a long, stead climb, we are almost at the top. Of course the fat RAT is always last !
Catching our breath on the summit of Black Mountain while our leader Larry, sniffs out the way to go.
It did not take him long to sniff out the right line of attack and soon we were ‘side hilling’ some very steep and treacherous terrain that would magically lead us either above or below many unformidable obstacles. We soon found ourselves on a narrow ridge line that was leading steeply down in the direction we thought we needed to go. That belief was quickly reinforced when the downhill side became a nearly vertical drop off for the rest of the way to the cliffs. Completely covered with trees and scrub growth, the lower edge was obscured to the point to where it would be easy to step off in the wrong direction and fall hundreds of feet to an unhappy ending. After awhile we caught our first glimpse of a small part of the cliffs we were seeking as they were glowing through the trees below us.
Even in the picture it looks steep !
Following Larry as he uses his mountain Jedi ‘spidey-sense’ to find the right ridge finger down.
Going down the steep ridge you can see the outside edge closest to the gorge is nothing but a nearly vertical drop off.
John and Larry looking off one of the many hidden cliff bluffs along the ridge on our way down
Following the narrow ridge line down, the edge was nearly vertical the entire time. You would not want to step off that edge.
Our first view of the Rhino Horn Cliffs
Following Larry down along the edge of the ridge we eventually came into a gap of sorts where there would be a short climb up to what looked like a good vantage point in the area of what we thought was the top of the cliffs. Once we came out on top it was realized that once again that Larry the Roan Mountain Jedi had done it as we stepped out onto the highest point of the Rhino Horn Cliffs !
Approaching the top of the Rhino Horn Cliffs
Larry straddles the top of the Rhino Horn Cliffs
I will never forget my first view as I climbed up onto the highest point of this incredible scene. It was absolutely breathtaking. We all sat there for awhile intoxicated with the grandiose views that could be seen in almost every direction. It was stunning to say the least. Despite the intensely bright sun I setup to get what pictures I could with my larger camera but, my pocket cam action photos would end up being the best ones of the adventure.
My first view from the top of the Rhino Horn Cliffs ! Looking down on where Laurel falls is (on the right side of the knob in the bottom facing away from us where the river then turns and goes sharply around the knob)
Me ‘gnoming’ the tip top of the Rhino Horn Cliffs (Photo by Larry Jarret)
John and Larry on the top of the Rhino Horn Cliff
Copping some visuals from the top of the cliffs !
Looking down into the part of the gorge that is just above Laurel Falls
John Gnome posing atop the Rhino Horn Cliffs
The views were impeccable ! That is Pond Mountain across from us.
I had barely taken a few pics when I heard Tyler hollering something about a crack. We were already looking down at the base of the cliff we were on and could see other cliffs on other levels which fueled a desire to investigate. There was obviously no way to get down any part of these cliffs safely without a rope and rappelling gear however, Tyler was not going to accept that as the final answer ! Within minutes Tyler had crafted a home made harness out of part of a motorcycle tie down (ratchet strap) and had tied off our $10 rope and the next thing I knew he was standing on a ledge some 60+ feet below us hollering up at how awesome it was down there ! Of course this got our attention but, by the time I put my larger camera up he had already climbed back up where he informed us that the latter was much harder than it appeared. It seems there was a large pine tree growing out of the crack that one could easily go over and down yet, coming back up it was a major obstacle that was very hard to get around while hanging on a rope esp. since we had no harnesses and no ascenders ! I guess it was the excitement and desire to go down to the lower cliffs that caused John and I to throw caution to the wind and next thing I knew John was down the rope hollering for me to join him !
The crack
Tyler investigating the crack to see if it is a viable way down
Tyler checking out the crack. I am pretty sure he is dead set on going down it.
Tyler has rigged a rope system and is on his way down !
Tyler makes his way down into the crack ! It did not look so bad from this angle,,,,
Tyler`s descent has peaked John`s interest now !
Following the rope to see where Tyler went. I can see it dropping off into a dark, vertical crack !
Meanwhile the views from the top of the Rhino Horn were amazing !
View as seen with my larger camera. Just too bright to show any true colors,
Looking over to the right and down from the top of the cliffs. This is just a small section of these amazing rock formations.
Looking down over the edge. Not sure if that rock resembles a dogs head or a gargoyle !
Standing on a narrow ledge just under the top of the cliffs looking over towards the creek side of the gorge.
Tyler was exactly right that although it was a precarious operation, going down was not that bad as long as you could hold on and not lose your grip on the rope. I soon joined John on the ledge below and began my exploration of the area. After seeing that the ledge continued all the way around beneath the upper part of the cliffs and that it would also be possible to continue much farther down to where I could see some very alluring overlooks sticking out into thin air, I somehow convinced Tyler that he needed to come back down the rope and join us for further investigation ! He reluctantly agreed and again made it look easy getting down to where we were. Larry stayed up top and declined to join us. The look on his face seemed to exude the fact that the rest of us were indeed ‘crazy’.
John about to take his turn going down the rope. He has ‘crack fever’
Tyler having already been to the bottom and back is now watching John and giving him some advice as he makes his way down this newly found crack route
My view of John as he follows this obviously unsure route down into the crack !
Here John is standing on the tree that blocks the way. You can see how large this pine tree is and how high it grows up out of the crack !
John getting around the large tree trunk, after that it is all air and rope with no footholds !! Coming back will be tough !!
Tyler is smiling, he knows how tough it is !! (although he made it look easy)
After going quite a ways down the rope and below the big tree root obstacle, here I finally find a toe hold where I can release the rope long enough to take a picture looking back up.
This is at the bottom of the rope. A huge point which resembles the shape of the entire cliff system on this particular point as it goes flat in both directions left and right from this point
My view from the point (facing cliff and looking to my right) There is a lot more cliff around the corner that way but, it is covered with growth in places.
Standing on the point rock looking up at where the rope comes down through the crack. That was going to be fun going back up !!
Looking the other way from my perch on the point rock, I could see ‘the ledge’. This thing was hugely intriguing. Very narrow and kept going as far as i could see. I knew I was going that way !!
John was already way down below me and I could barely hear him verbally advising me that I had to see it down there ! I was too intrigued with the ledge at that time so I followed it around the point where it kept going a long way. It was barely wide enough to climb on and it was a sheer drop of at least 100 feet where if you fell you would only bounce and fall another 100 feet and another etc etc. I crept along this ledge until it became too narrow, getting some excellent views of the overhanging rocks above me and some unobstructed, sweeping views of the river gorge below. I eventually went back and continued the descent down to the other cliffs where Tyler and John were waiting.
Following the very narrow ledge. There was a lot of vertical cliff above and below it.
Cool view looking up from the ledge
Looking slightly higher from the ledge you can almost see the top of the Rhino Horn. Larry is up there somewhere !
Looking down from ‘the ledge’ it`s a long way down then you would bounce and keep right on going a long, long ways to the creek below !
Coming back on the ledge to the point rock I can see John down below me and he is excited about something !
View of the point rock from the first part of the ledge. If you look close you can see where the rope comes down just around the point !
Pic of a small part of the view from the point rock
Looking up towards the top of the cliffs from the ledge
Looking up at the Rhino Horn I see a small hole / crack in the rock there. if you look close you`ll see Tyler`s blue shirt as he is looking at me through the hole there !
Another view of the Rhino Horn from below. Again you can see the hole with the blue sky showing through it !
As I make my way a little farther along the ledge, this is looking back and up
Cool view looking back from along the ledge
Looking up I finally see Larry waving down at me ! This adds the needed scale to the images as to how high this section of the cliff actually is.
Here I am only about halfway out the ledge looking back.
Continuing out the next half of the ledge it gets more narrow the farther you go.
My view as I make my way along the narrowing ledge
Tyler coming back down the rope to join us.
Tyler after getting around the large tree root. Is now in the lower part of the crack where you have to wedge yourself with friction as there are no toe holds
Tyler spidering his way down the crack
Tyler coming down the crack looking for solid ground for his feet !
My cool view across the point rock while I waited on Tyler to get the rest of the way down.
My view looking the other way from the point rock, across the base of the upper cliffs while I am waiting on Tyler to get off rope.
My view looking straight up the point of the Rhino Horn while standing on the point rock !
Another angle looking up at the Rhino Horn while standing on the point rock (Tyler is now off rope and way down below with John as I got caught up with taking pics !)
AS I said, I got caught up with taking pics while waiting on Tyler ! This is looking up from the point rock.
I joined them at a remarkable puckering perch which was a triangular shaped stone, the point of which resembled an arrow, pointed out towards the gorge below. It was an overhanging rock and we all took turns posing upon it before the very thorough exploration continued. This truly was a fascinating place and I was so glad Tyler had made it possible to get down to this part of the cliffs. We could see Larry on top of the Rhino Horn high above us but, he looked tiny and we had to yell really loud in order for him to hear us. John would affectionately call this pointed stone ‘Fornication Point’ !
That small red spot is Larry waving at me from the top ! My view as I finally headed down from the point rock to join John and Tyler.
Another angle of Larry on top of the Rhino Horn Cliffs
Zooming closer in case you couldn`t see Larry on top of the Rhino Horn Cliffs
Can you find the hidden Gnome, John Forbes ??? This is why he wears his gold standard yellow clothing !! (Photo by Larry Jarret taken from the top of the Rhino Horn Cliffs)
If you look really close you will see a tiny blue dot. That is me as seen from Larry`s point of view from on top of the Rhino Horn Cliffs (Photo by Larry Jarret)
Dropping down over a few more steep drops I finally found John and Tyler at a very cool overlook rock. it was pointed just like the point rock on the main cliffs above. I could now see what all the yelling was about.
Not sure what kind of swearing in was needed to stand on this point but, you can see the trees below on each side of this very pointy overlook and the rock where Tyler is standing was a replica of the point rock above ! Huge drop, nothing but air under Tyler.
I present to you the ‘pointed rock overlook’ . Looks just like an arrow pointing which way to look. Yes, you do have to be sworn in to stand upon it because, it`s just THAT awesome !!!
This puckering perch was even worthy of a Gnome pose. You do not want to lose your balance here.
Another angle of the famous Gnome pose with awesome views behind
Me doing a Gnome pose on the pointed rock overlook or as John named it : ‘Fornication Point’ (Photo by John Forbes)
My view from the pointed rock overlook. You can see the knob where the gorge goes around it which is where Laurel falls is (on the right side of the knob facing away from us)
The view was so good from this overlook that I zoomed in on the ridge and knob below which is what sits right above Laurel Falls. You can see some more gnarly rock crags sticking up on this ridge as it continues below us
Another shot of the cliff ridge below us.
Killer view up the gut of the gorge (upstream from the falls) as seen from the pointed rock overlook
Zoomed view of the gorge below
From there we did continue down a couple more drops but, we did run into one which would require roping down or at least one would be needed to get back up so that is as far down as we went. This confirmed that climbing up from the bottom where the top of the waterfall is , would be extremely difficult if not impossible unless of course you were an experienced technical climber and were equipped with the proper gear for that. We continued to check out this fairly narrow spine from side to side as we slowly climbed back up the various drops to get back to the rope. Before we would attempt the climbing of the rope through the tight crack, John and I would venture out on the ledge to its end and back because it is just that awesome ! John would call it ‘Coyote Ledge’.
Checking out more of the lower parts of the cliff ridge (Photo by John Forbes)
John gnoming on another cliff we found farther down the cliff ridge
Side view looking farther down, just under where John was gnoming at. You can see why climbing up from the creek would be very difficult !!
Wider view of the cliff ridge just below us
Even this low on the cliff ridge the views were great !
Super zoomed shot looking down at the top of where the waterfall is
Tyler on the pointed rock overlook
Tyler on the pointed rock overlook !
Looking over at John you can see how vertical the next cliff is. The ridge is so narrow at this point that there is no going around it and no getting back up without a rope and that is, IF you could get down it !
Last cool view with the pointed rock overlook (Insert choir singing here)
Looking over at the pointed rock overlook from the cliff John 2ws on previously
John in a sea of red as we make our way back up the narrow cliff ridge as we explore other parts of it
John atop the next of many obstacles we had to climb to get back to the rope
Finding a crack to climb so I can join John on top of this next rock formation
Me climbing up one of the many drops on our way back up the cliffs (Photo by John Forbes)
Following John up the narrow cliff ridge over each of the rocky drops
A bigger view of John as we are getting closer to where the rope is
John taking a break as we continue our climb back up. You can see the point rock up above him, that`s where the rope is
View looking down the cliffs from the outside edge of the narrow cliff ridge as we continue climbing back up to the rope
View looking slightly higher across and upwards of the cliffs as we are still below the point rock ,,,
After a short rest John begins to climb up the next drop
I let John go first cause he had not seen it and I needed pics with people in them for scale !
Me, hanging out with John on what he calls ‘Coyote Ledge’ ! (Photo by John Forbes)
Zoomed image through the small hole in the top of the cliff, of John and I clinging to the cliff wall while on the narrow ledge below (Photo by Larry Jarret)
John going back along the ledge
Here shows that the ledge is barely two boot widths wide in some places !
You have to keep your weight leaned inward on the ledge !!
John off the ledge and back at the point rock and the rope
John on point and ready to climb the rope ! (you can see the rope hanging out of the crack around the corner from his position)
Once back at the rope we discovered Tyler was already back up top and waiting to watch us climb back up. He knew that was going to be an entertaining show to see. I went first to see how hard it was going to be to get around the ‘tree in the crack’ restriction and, it was an extremely tight squeeze and laborious task for me. It went smoothly until I tried to get around the tree trunk. It was hard to hold your weight on the rope while trying to get up and over it at the same time. The fact that there were no good toe holds is what made it so difficult adding in the small width of the crack. I found myself wedged in between the tree and the rock and was basically stuck. Me being overweight added to the problem as I had to support all my weight by one hand on the rope while using the other to get myself around this now ‘much larger than it seemed before’ blockage ! Once I became stuck Tyler came up with another grand idea. He tied a series of ‘prusik’ style knots in the rope that provided me with loops that formed handholds for me to be able to pull myself easier up the rope as he kept sliding them higher as I went. That made all the needed difference in the world so, after a few grunts, groans, pulls, and tugs, I was finally able to force my fat belly through the tight crack and on top of this unyielding piece of wood. I stopped to rest once on top of it so I could get pics of John as he climbed and squeezed through this tough and unique encumbrance.
The rope hanging down out of the bottom of the crack
Tyler made some loops in the rope to help us get back up it since there are no footholds for the first half of the way
Tyler sits atop the tree obstacle awaiting for the show to begin ! Having been up this twice now he knows how hard it is !
A zoomed shot of Larry who sits atop the mighty Rhino Horn watching for us to ascend the crack
The next section after the tree blockage is not as bad as it does have places to get foot holds.
Big RAT and Little RAT as I am stuck, dangling with no foot holds, just beneath the large Pine tree root as Tyler ties some sliding knots that i will use to get around this obstacle (Photo by John Forbes)
Finally ! I get around the Pine tree root obstruction and stand proudly on top of it !!! (Photo by John Forbes)
Once I made it above the tree blockage, I am able to get some shots of John as he begins his climb
John working his way up the crack
John is starting to feel the squeeze !
As you can see in this image, John is struggling to find a foot hold. There is not any. You can only wedge yourself in using friction while pulling the rest and most of your body weight up with the rope. And then there`s that dam tree !!!
This shows a lot, almost stuck between the tree and the rock, feet with heels pushing against and slick vertical rock to try and get some slight form of traction while trying to pull yourself up as the tree stops you !! This was a tough climb !
John dealing with crack !
Finally high enough to get a hand on top of the tree, John is now making serious progress !
John, still between a tree and a hard place !
These are just a few of the things above John`s head !! Hoping none of those break loose !
Larry still above us looking down and still has that ‘look at them crazy fellars ! ” look on his face !
Looking farther up the rope. The tree restriction is only a third of the way up.
Looking up at John, climbing the top third of the run.
John, still a hold of the rope as he continues his way towards the top
John gets into position to watch me finish the climb
Of course I was then only a third of the way up but, the rest of the climb was relatively easy as it was not as vertical and there were plenty of rocks to get hand and foot holds on. I joined the others back on the top feeling quite contented with our accomplishments thus far. I also promised Tyler that we would be getting a real rope and climbing gear very soon ! Having that would have allowed us to rappel on an open part of the cliff avoiding the need to be in the confines of the crack and all that it entailed. After a well deserved rest with snacks and water, and some more views and picture taking, we departed the mighty Rhino Horn Cliffs and began the return part of the adventure.
Tyler took this shot of the rest of us atop the Rhino Horn Cliffs
Group shot on top of the Rhino Horn Cliffs (I am not sure whose camera was used for this)
The view from the top of the cliffs
Zoomed shot of some colorful leaves
Zoomed shot of Fall colors in the gorge
Nearly vertical and colorful
Colors deep within the Laurel Creek gorge
Zoomed shot of the creek with Falls colors
Taken with my larger camera
Taken with my larger camera
Small part of the cliffs (taken with my larger camera)
Once back at the small gap we noticed a deep draw that had some water coming out of it. Taking a slightly different track into that direction led to the discovery of an old moonshine still. We see many of these in our travels but, it is always a pleasure when we do as it is part of our heritage and the history of the area we live in.
Remnants of an old moonshine still
Old moonshine still location
Once back on the main ridge we continued the long climb back to the top. We stopped a few times to catch our breath and enjoy the environment one of which was at a very unique tree that had a huge hole in its burl shaped base. Of course this was a perfect habitat for a Gnome so John did penetrate its interior to see if it might have been inhabited by any of his kind.
Tyler at the cool gnome hole tree !
Low and behold, up pops a Gnome !!!
A known gnome habitat (no chiggers were harmed during the making of this image)
Close up of a happy Gnome !
Happy Gnomes pose like this.
It also made for an awesome throne to sit upon.
Wider angle to show just how large the base of this tree really is !
After some more climbing and some added switchback styled side-hill to eliminate some of the steepness, we were soon back on top of the mountain and followed the spine out to the point where we came up at. On the way back down this crazy steep descent we stumbled upon another discovery that we had missed on the way up, that being some black buckets that contained some cut stalks of marijuana obviously from the recent grow season. This is not surprising considering the area but, it does make one stop and think about the timing of any return trips back to here in the future.
Going back down the other side towards the starting point and almost to the marijuana buckets !
There were several of these, all with marijuana stems in them
More pot buckets
Only a few minutes from that eye opening find we would be back at the truck and on our way to the other vehicles. The adrenaline was still flowing as it would for quite some time after such an exciting adventure that we had experienced on this day. With another destination checked off the list it had been a successful day filled with many bonuses and rewards that we would be talking about for years to come. I am sure we will be coming back here again in the future but, for now our minds were already spinning with thoughts about our next adventure. Until then,,,,
The Rhino Horn Cliffs (Photo by Larry Jarret)
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.
Leave a Comment