Unnamed Falls of Holston Mtn. = Chapter One – 12-5-2015
On the fourth ride of the season for the Camel Servicer`s Union, we would find ourselves once again following our fearless leader Larry Jarret to yet another remarkable find of many unknown and unnamed waterfalls. This time would be at a new location for us which was somewhere on Holston Mountain. This mountain range is very underrated as it is much larger and steeper than most imagine and it hides many deep hollows filled with hidden cliffs and waterfalls. Larry has done a lot of very hard and time consuming legwork to explore many of them and this is just one of his many incredible finds there. This epic adventure would require a lot of extra driving time in order to place a vehicle at the bottom then drive all the way around to the top as it would not be possible to go bottom up and back or vice versa with the amount of daylight hours we now have. We would still end up coming out in the dark since it gets dark so much earlier this time of year. Once the vehicles were placed we began our descent which instantly placed us into the usual laurel hells. It was not long before the sound of water could be heard and from there the earth seemed to fall out from under us.
Just one of many unnamed falls we encountered along this journey
This three foot + tall ice formation was found as we started at the top of the mountain. Its color is from the tannins leaching out of the fallen tree. If you look closely you can see it has actually welded the tree to the ground.
First falls of the day. Small but a prelude of what was to come
Still close to the top of the mountain our journey is just beginning. Here is where several trickles coming in from a couple different directions meet to form the creek we would be surfing down. The laurel hells are about to start and just ahead (in the sunlight) the earth is about to drop out from under us.
Larry leads us into the thick of it,,,
The first falls did not disappoint and the journey had only just began ! (pocket cam)
One of the first falls seen along the steep descent
Another pic of one of the first falls we came to on the way down
The typical view we would have all day
As we came to the top of the first taller falls we had to climb up and around cliffs to get down them. Here I am looking back down at Bol’Dar who is coming up behind me
Here you can see the steep sidehill route as we go high to avoid impenetrable laurels to get down to the base of the upcoming falls. As you can see even the trees can not hold themselves straight and tend to lean downhill !
The steepness of this surf took me a little by surprise as I found it harder to keep traction than on our previous rides which were all very steep or so I thought. I was glad that Larry had already found the only passable routes as taking the wrong one here would certainly put you in a dire situation where you would not be able to continue. Also on this side of Holston there are cliff lines that are hidden behind the growth and runs almost the entire length of the mountain chain at certain elevations. They are vertical and without ropes there are only certain routes that are passable and it is there where Larry`s knowledge of the area came in most handy. The difficulty was increased by the wetness of the ground and cliffs along with the low temperatures which had resulted in some ice along the way. It was not long before we started seeing waterfalls and once they began they never stopped. It was an unending collection of drops all the way to the bottom. Of course in between each one would require treacherous bushwhacking through laurels and down insanely steep, rocky inclines that looked impassable until you actually completed them.
Here we reach the first of the vertical cliffs that run across the mighty Holston Mountain and Larry leads us through the only passable route (without using ropes)
Making our way down and around the vertical drop offs
One of the many ledges of these cliffs. There were huge trees growing upon them HIGH above
Bol’Dar demonstrating one of the many surfing techniques used while descending the vertical cliffs
Larry leading the way across a huge log jam in the creek as we change sides to avoid a vertical cliff drop off
A view of the cliffs on the other side. You can see why we did not come down that side !
The higher you look the higher and more vertical the cliffs go. These actually run the length of this side of Holston only they cant be seen from below or by satellite as they are well hidden by the trees. They are much larger in person !
Larry below us after crossing the creek and log jam in the thick laurels as we make our way to the base of the cliffs on the other side.
Looking up the creek as I cross over the log jam
Seen lots of ice all day as it did not reach much above freezing here despite temps being near 50 F in the valley. The sun does not hit much in this deep chasm of a hollow
Taking a break at the base of the cliffs
Some more cool looking ice. The left one looks kinda like a bird.
Close up. Now can you see the ice bird ?
Behind the ice bird
Looking back across the log jam at the cliffs we had just came down and around. You can see how that is the only route and a gnarly one at that
Looking up at a small part of the huge cliffs we were under
Once below this set of cliffs we finally reached a very nice set of falls and they only got bigger and better from that point on (pocket cam)
This creek is pretty much hidden by thick laurels like this. I am sure you could not see it from the air, or by satellite because you cant hardly see it when you are standing in it !!!
Another view looking back you can see how quickly it gets steep and rugged and it only gets more intense from here
Finally reached the top of the first major falls
Pictures make everything look flat but, you can tell by the body posturing that it is far from flat along the side of the first major falls as I look over from the top of the falls
Looking down from the top of this falls
John getting pics of these mighty fine falls
Another pocket cam shot of the falls
Next one down was one of the first of the larger falls
Another shot of the first larger falls
Another angle of these same falls. Why ? Because it is a photo blog and I can never choose just one pic to use !
Different exposure of these same falls
Due to the terrain at all the other falls which would make it near impossible to get a group shot at any of them, we chose this one due to its easier access.
Frontal view of the falls (pocket cam)
Another one of the larger falls along this creek
Another angle of the same falls. These were very nice.
John loved these falls so much he went back up to Gnome pose at the top !
Another shot of these magnificent falls
Just a few feet from the base of those falls they actually continued falling even steeper and farther only the descent was not any easier. It was thick laurels and a lot of it was hidden so we could only see parts of it from the side as we clung to the growth on our way down the steep, wet, slope.
Continuing down beside more falls
Looking over John`s shoulder as we stop to get a pic of a small fraction of these falls as seen from a small puckering perch ledge on the way down this near vertical descent
Trying to look down. It`s a long way to the bottom.
Another side view as we continue to make our way down this steep slope beside the falls
Another side view as we near a place where we might be able to stand and get some shots of this part of the falls before it continues dropping in only a few feet from the base of what you are seeing now. It never really stops dropping for long ever.
Trying to find a place level enough to setup on to get pics of these amazing falls
Continuing farther down the incredibly steep descent there are these gorgeous falls !
I thought these were some of the nicest along the entire run
Front view of these falls. Only mere inches behind me the creek keeps falling nearly vertical into more falls and laurels etc
Standing below the same falls.
Perhaps my best shot of this drop
Looking across the base of the same falls you can see Larry and Bol’Dar and how there really is no actual level ground at the base of this drop of the falls. We had to cross back over here to continue going down. This is looking back,,,
This isolated part of the falls was awesome and I regret not setting my larger camera up to shoot it ! The next pic is taken from this same spot only looking down at the huge drop I am on the top edge of,,,
Looking down from the same spot the previous pic was shot from. Like I said, it really is one huge falls you climb down all day ! We would not be able to go down this way and wold end up climbing up and around more cliffs as you will see in the next series of pictures.
Looking back up at John from only a few feet lower you can see how the creek and falls quickly seem to disappear.
The water levels had gone down significantly over the previous few days but, there was enough flow to make the falls enjoyable. Just knowing there were no other peoples tracks there and no other pictures of all these pristine falls provided all the adrenaline needed to complete the task at hand. The numerous falls vary from 10 feet to over 50 feet in height and each displayed its own unique characteristics. We would spend as much time as we could at each drop taking in the previously unseen beauty to be found there before moving to the next one.
You would think that when descending something as steep as this route was that there would not be much if any climbing involved however, that is far from reality. This is due to the sheer vertical drops near the various falls that are not possible to go down without serious ropes and equipment we prefer not to carry if not absolutely necessary. Here we are climbing up an insanely steep slope between scattered rock cliffs in order to find a safe route down without needing a rope.
This shot best illustrates just how steep and cliffy the descent is around this drop of the falls. Look closely for the others as they are all there !
A look back at a side view of the falls we are working our way down. if you look close enough through the laurels you can see the cliffs on the other side are completely vertical which is why we are on this side which is only slightly better
Looking back again at some of the others behind me you can see what we just came down.
Finally I make it to a semi level spot at the base of this part of the falls. To add some scale you can see John standing up top
Another one of the taller falls found as we make our way lower on the mountain
Here you can see John Forbes as he looks small beside this particular drop while he makes his way carefully down to join us
There was a small cave-like tunnel behind the root ball of the falls tree as you can see John emerging from on his way down this steep descent
Another shot of these falls which was one of the only times we could get a view of the blue sky and the falls in one frame
Once we crossed back over beneath those falls there was of course the next drop only a few feet below them which you can see in the next pic. There really was no level ground at the base of the previous drop, only just enough to cross over on in order to continue down the mountain.
John crossing over the narrow amount of real estate found at the base of the last drop as we make our way onward and downward to the next series of drops,,,
Looking back at the last drop. It`s too bad the drops above these were on a section so steep and laurel covered that we could not get any usable shots of !
I loved the beauty of the moss on this tree with the falls in the background. I had to stop here for a few moments to take it all in and enjoy it.
Another shot of the same falls as I get farther below them
Not much farther down we reached the next drop. Another unique falls with its own distinct beauty complete with a ‘periscope tree’ ! I could not get enough of these falls !
Coming into the next set of falls,, They look small until you see John on the other side !
Here you can see the periscope tree
Next drop on the way down. I called these ‘Periscope Falls’ due to the odd looking periscope growth on the fallen tree there.
Here you can see the periscope growth on the fallen tree
Looking across Periscope Tree Falls
All the falls on this journey were unique but this was the only one with a periscope tree !
It kind of looks like a small camel head doesn`t it ! How fitting !
I took a lot of shots of this drop !
View of the same falls from the other side
On the other side of Periscope Tree Falls. They look even better from this angle !
Periscope Tree Falls
Periscope Tree Falls
Periscope Tree Falls
With my back to the last falls I can see the others down below me. Again, within ten feet of the previous falls is another falls as you will see in the next few pics,,,,, this one perhaps the most unique of the day,,
Side view of the next falls,,, these were awesome as you cold actually go behind them
Only a few feet from the base of Periscope Tree Falls the creek drops once again over this pristine drop which was one of the most unique of the day ! You could actually get behind these falls.
Another side view
Getting up close and personal from behind these awesome falls
Side shot with an icicle
The more I see of these falls the prettier they are. You can see John giving some scale to their size.
As you can see in this image, Periscope Tree Falls is just above this awesome falls. Here John Forbes adds some scale to their size.
Another shot from pocket cam that shows the other falls (periscope falls) just above these
A view looking back ,,, if it were not for trees and laurels you would see a never ending falls from here to the top of the mountain !
As you can see one could consider both of these drops one falls (Periscope Tree Falls) A happy John Forbes does his trademark Gnome pose.
Another angle of John at the Periscope Tree Falls
Taken with pocket cam
Isolated shot of the lower part of Periscope Tree Falls
As we left the ‘periscope tree falls’ we entered into a rocky area where there was a Mack truck sized rock that looked just like a Beagle dog`s head. Below it there was remnants of an old moonshine still site which was obvious by the way the rocks were stacked and the ground was depressed. The metal and glass objects that are sometimes found have long since gone but, after seeing as many of those olden sites as I have you learn to recognize them quite easily. I tried my best to capture the descent through this steep rock garden past the huge dog head rock as we made our way down to the next sets of falls.
As I make my way down the rocks I pause to look back to see John still looking back at the last falls. Savoring every moment and ounce of beauty it had to offer during the time we had.
Another look back as I stand atop of huge downed log below the rock garden
Following behind Larry and Bol’Dar as we negotiate around the huge dog head rock. It is sniffing Larry out !
Looking back as John makes his way to the huge hound dog`s head rock !
Close up of John showing how large this dog head shaped rock really is !
I am not sure why John took this more difficult route. Perhaps he was afraid of getting bit by the dog head rock ? lol
Isolated shot of this huge unusually shaped rock
Part of the old moonshine still site
The next set of falls were not the tallest or largest by any stretch of the imagination yet, they had enough beauty to make up for all of that:
Another beautiful small falls found not far below the Periscope Tree Falls
These small falls were very photogenic. I could not stop taking pics of them !
The combination of moss, ferns and falls were outstanding here
Where the green ferns grow !
There was no wrong or bad angles to be found here
Bol’Dar taking pics of the same falls. You can see how well hidden this entire area is hidden in the thick laurels.
Another angle of these spectacular falls
John provides some scale to their size as he helps clean up the area to make the falls more visible and photogenic
I found it hard to stop taking pics and hard to leave these falls !
See what I mean ? !!
This drop proves that waterfalls do not have to be high and mighty to be beautiful
Cool looking moss and fungus near the falls
One last parting shot as I had to pry myself away from this falls !
After more laurels and not quite as steep descent we came to another small but, very quaint set of twin falls as we continued on our journey down the mountain.
Looking down on the next falls
pocket cam pic of the cute little twin falls
Continuing down the steep descent there is this small but, charming falls
Another shot of these twin falls
Small double falls
Closer shot of these beauties
Pocket cam closeup of the falls
Front view of these cute falls
Maybe my best capture of these falls
Another small cascading falls along the way. There were dozens of these only most were hidden completely by the thick laurels. I could not resist this one. I think it was the lone fern in the bottom corner that sealed the deal.
Continuing down some very steep and rough terrain we came to another one of the larger falls of the day as we made our way closer to the bottom of the mountain. There was still a long way to go and more falls to see. We spent some time here enjoying these due to their captivating appeal.
There would still be more cliffs to maneuver around and down before reaching the next few waterfalls along this epic quest, this being one of them.
Making my way slowly down the steep and very slick cliffs I could see the others far below me as they were making their way across a narrow ledge at the cliffs base to reach the next set of falls that would be found hiding there
An ice covered log I was careful not to step on !
As I rounded the base of the cliff to get back to the creek, I could see Larry and hear the commotion of what I knew was going to be an awesome falls that reside deep within this chasm between the two cliffs here
As I got closer I could hear them but the grotto was deep so I still could not see them. The suspense was killing me !
My first view of these falls ! This angle was nothing like the view that was to come.
Looking back across the base of the lower section of the cliffs I had just came down and crossed below
After checking out the cliffs on the other side of the falls I was once again happy that Larry knew not to come down that side !
Panning slightly farther to the right of the falls you can see John and Bol’Dar and more reasons why not to come down that side of these falls !
As I got closer to the falls the terrain became more difficult to traverse and I still was not getting the big picture of these falls. They would turn out to be so much more and one of the top 3 falls of the day, maybe even number 1
After crossing over to the other side which was the only place to comfortably sit and drop a pack, this was the view. Still not the big picture you will see in a few,,,
Getting John in the picture to show some scale to the size of the falls
Once I was able to get far enough away from these falls I could then appreciate their full potential. The ‘BIG” picture was definitely spectacular !
This was another one of my favorites of the taller falls of this route
The previously unseen beauty along this creek was breathtaking.
I could have stayed here for the rest of my life
The next set of falls on our way down the rugged descent. John poses to add some scale to their height
Same shot only this time with the pocket cam
Another shot of these falls
These falls are nestled beneath a large and very high cliff so coming down that side is not an option. Of course you wouldn`t know that when coming down from the top (without prior exploration and knowledge which Larry had done before us) and could find yourself in a precarious position !
Close up of these falls
After leaving those falls there was more laurels to snake our way through and more cliffs to climb down to find even more fabulous waterfalls hidden in the depths of this disparate mountain hollow. I was being pleasantly surprised by each one we encountered.
Small falls found buried deep within a laurel hell
Continuing down and around more cliffs and super steep descents with Larry leading the way. The only way.
Base of the large cliff system we were descending
Looking up at the way we came down. Again just a small part of the cliff
There was a large rock shelter at the base of this cliff. There were no signs of any one ever being there, no fires etc but, it would be a great place to do so if one had to.
I looked up to see the overhanging rock above me. These cliffs are gigantic and are much higher than what you see here and are very wide. They seem to go out of sight across the mountain in each direction same as the first ones we came to earlier that morning. Again, hidden by trees from above and the valley below.
Finally I am almost down this set of cliffs and I can see Larry and the others already checking something out below me
Looking up as I go under more cliffs you can see huge ent like trees growing on the rock ledges as far up as the eye could see
Looking up at some of the trees that grow along the cliffs
Once I made it down to the creek again at the base of the previously shown cliff system, I could see the others ahead of me through the thick laurels. I could tell they were at yet another awesome waterfall that was back in a deep rock grotto
Coming in to the next set of falls.
There was as much falls above and around the corner just out of sight as there was visible but you could not capture it due to the thick laurels covering it
Larry was already setup getting some pics of these falls
These falls had a lot of character
This next set of falls were tucked back into a deep grotto and were absolutely enchanting. The light was fading at this point so the pictures did suffer some.
Despite the poor lighting I did what I could
These reminded me of a mini lower dick creek falls
Those falls were nestled at the base of another large cliff system which we had to not only climb down to reach them but, also had to climb up the other side in order to continue farther out of the deep hollow. This was due to the terrain which was too steep and too thick in laurels to even consider following the creek.
The start of the cliff system on the other side (right side) of the falls. We had to climb up the base of these to get fairly high up to be able to get around the next obstacle which was terrain too steep and too thick in laurels to make following the creek possible
Looking down the creek with my back to the falls. It`s not so much the thick laurels but there are two HUGE drops just out of sight that is not passable
Our fearless leader taking a rest break at the falls before beginning the ascent of the cliffs
Following the base of these super nice cliffs as we climb higher and higher away from the falls
As I climbed higher and higher up this side of the cliffs I was able to get a view of the cliffs on the other side that we had just came down the right side of. It was breathtaking to see it all as a whole once I got higher than this
Climbing higher and higher up the base of the cliffs I could see Larry and John ahead of me. This huge cliff seemed to go on forever
This shot depicts the cliffs perhaps the best as you can see just how steep this is by noticing the tiny orange dot at the bottom right just below the cliff on the far right which is Bol’Dar who is still at the falls as I am this high above him / them on the cliffs on this side. Can see even more of the cliffs on the other side also
The two huge drops / falls that are just below the last falls. We did not have enough time or light to get down to those on this trip. I had to lighten this pic a lot just to make them show up.
As usual we spent too much time soaking it all in as it was nearly dark by the time we reached the bottom. We had just enough time to drive farther along the base of the mountain to a different hollow where we climbed up to another really nice waterfall that Larry knew about however, by the time we got there it was too dark to get any decent pics of it. It was still nice to see it and learn of its existence and location.
We were still high on a ridge above the creek going around impassable obstacles when the sun was setting.
Pocket cam pic of the bonus falls just to show how dark it actually was when we got to them. The rest of the pics were taken with my larger cam and seriously lightened a lot in photoshop.
A large falls on a different creek that we visited a few miles below where we came out at. It was very dark so the pics had to be lightened a lot which is why they are of poor quality
Larry gives some scale to these falls as they are larger than they appear.
Larry at the last set of falls we would see on this trip which are located on a different creek a few miles away from the creek we came down the mountain on
Top part of the falls zoomed. Hard to believe it was near total dark when this was taken. I had to lighten it a lot.
It had been another long yet, amazing day spent wrapped tightly in Mother Nature`s arms seeing things that other humans have not gazed upon in decades if not ever. It was so late by the time we made the hour and a half drive around and back to the top of the mountain to the other vehicles and then got back down the mountain that there was no time for a post hike grub out. I was so pumped up with excitement from the journey that I was not feeling hungry anyway. I am sure that changed later on once I soaked my tired aching muscles in a hot bath but, I do not remember what happened after that at this time. The gates will be closed within the next week or two so I am not sure where the next great adventure will be. To be continued,,,,,,,
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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