Fall Creek Falls SP

[OwenM]

Lots of changes in plans this week, due to a friend's schedule changing and cancelling a hike of the Wild Azalea Trail in LA, then a storm system moving through the area I would have been driving into in N. TN/KY/VA, and my knee giving me problems which switched the backup backup plan to one that limited the mileage.
Anyway, on Wednesday morning, I drove to Fall Creek Falls State Park.
I stopped at George Hole to look at the water, then took a short walk in the woods on the other side after crossing a small suspension bridge.
Then viewed the Cane Creek Cascades, and followed Rock House Creek to the Cable Trail to the bottom of the gorge to view Cane Creek Falls, along with a second fall that is fed by Rock House Creek.
From there I did a loop trail that took me to Fall Creek Falls after crossing the two creeks that feed it, with a side trip to Rocky Point Overlook, and Cane Creek Overlook.
Wednesday night, I camped at one of the walk-in primitive camping sites. Thursday morning started with a drive to Millikan's Overlook, and the Piney Creek Falls Overlook. Accessing Piney Creek Falls is an off-trail adventure I look forward to doing later-a beautiful fall, but surrounded by very rugged and steep terrain. But for the knee, that probably would have filled the rest of the day. As it was, I continued to Rock Island State Park, and then did an overnighter in the Bridgestone/Firestone Centennial Wilderness, which I will probably make separate threads about as time allows.

Roadside fall on Hwy 111

At and around George Hole

Cane Creek Cascades
From the top:

Looking across the cascades:

From the bottom:

below the cascades:

 

[OwenM]

From Rock House Creek

From the Cable Trail

I was wishing for my Microspikes.

The ironic thing about the Cable Trail is that the one place you absolutely must have the cable in these conditions is a drop off, and you'd have to be 12 feet tall to reach the cable!
I had to abandon the cable, and climb down tree roots.

I felt goofy using the cable, but have to admit it was a lot of fun.

And the reward is a great view of Cane Creek Falls!

And that's not all. Rock House Creek makes a separate fall that is gorgeous(to me, anyway).

 

[OwenM]

Ok..one with less me, and more gorgeous.

These 2 creeks feed Fall Creek Falls

Fall Creek Falls

For the fatwood lovers. This tree had blown down, breaking off several feet above the ground. I could smell it from ten feet away.
I broke off a couple of pieces, knowing I might build a fire if I retired to the campsite fairly early.

Splitting these pieces later, they were sticky with resin. Those few curls blazed up impressively with a flick of the Bic in spite of the wind.

 

[OwenM]

Rocky Point Overlook.
Here I got a little off the chain, and climbed down the rocks with snow over a layer of ice on them.

I'm just a pine cone, nobody loves me..I'm just a pine cone from a poor family.... It's tough being a pine cone around here

On the way back, I saw a trail of use going up the opposite side of the rock formation I'd climbed down, and discovered a much safer and easier way back up.
The way I went down:

The way I could have gone, if I'd only looked around a little more first!

My way was more memorable...

The loop yields another view of Cane Creek Falls:

Camp

 

[OwenM]

Someone had given up on a fire with a roll of firewood they sell at the park, and left it in the fire ring. That, along with the few pieces I'd picked up when first walking back to the site, had ice and snow all over them, but a chunk of fatwood almost totally negated the need for kindling. I split up a piece of the firewood into small sections and made a teepee fire then covered it with a log cabin build surrounded by the wet semi-frozen wood on the outside that also acted as a windbreak while being dried. Made a lean-to of the remaining pieces, and they had all burned in the morning, but I left the bigger chunk of fatwood that was left over for whoever came along next.

Thursday morning, I visited Millikan's Overlook

..and then the Piney Creek Falls Overlook

 

[Woods Walker]

Great looking area and camp.

 

[WILLIAM.M]

Thanks for posting those Great photos Bro

 

[OwenM]

Thanks, guys. Another wonderful part of the Cumberland Plateau. Can't wait to go back and do the 12 and 13 mile Upper and Lower Cane Creek loops!

 

[jonnyt16]

Stunning photos of those falls! Very nice, I'm jealous!

 

[22-rimfire]

Have not hiked the trail on the opposite side of Cane Creek Falls. Interesting. There is a lot of water flowing over Piney Creek Falls.

At one time, Falls Creek was being considered to be a National Park, but I read that people thought it was not big enough to warrant national park status. It is a very nice park and a nice place to hang.

 

[SideTracked]

Excellent photos, and awesome fatwood score! Looks like a fun trip.

 

[milani74]

I love that area. Such a cool contrast with the snow background against the waterfalls. Thanks for posting Owen.

 

[Battle Creek Knives]

sweet pics man thanks for sharing... oh btw you didn't happen to pass Battle Creek on the way up there did ya??

take care,

 

[22-rimfire]

Unless there is another Battle Creek, it runs parallel to I-24 near South Pittsburg TN. They stock it with trout. I keep wanting to paddle up a ways from the lake and fish for whatever in my kayak. The lower part is backwater for lake. I have found "permanent" campers down near the bottom and as a result, I have tended not to go there.

 

[ceylonc]

Gorgeous pics, thanks for sharing. My parents took my sister & I to Fall Creek Falls for spring break back in 1984 or 1985 (can't remember). We stayed at the Lodge in the park & did some hiking during the day & went on rides night spotting wildlife. Really a cool place for the outdoor enthusiast.

 

[ROCK6]

Great pics Owen, that's a must-have for our 2013 hiking list!

ROCK6

 

[OwenM]

Rock, since I haven't done the backpacking loops, I can't say how they compare to the ones at Savage Gulf, but the more I see of this area, the harder it is to pick a favorite. They all have similarities, being gorge hikes, but are all unique. I've been going up there every week, except last week when I had mandatory training scheduled on an off day.

btw, I was looking for my second Savage Gulf trip report, and remembered there isn't one. I was without a computer for awhile. Reply #1256 in the sticky thread up top is where I put a few pics. That place is awesome...

 

[ROCK6]

Rock, since I haven't done the backpacking loops, I can't say how they compare to the ones at Savage Gulf, but the more I see of this area, the harder it is to pick a favorite. They all have similarities, being gorge hikes, but are all unique. I've been going up there every week, except last week when I had mandatory training scheduled on an off day.

btw, I was looking for my second Savage Gulf trip report, and remembered there isn't one. I was without a computer for awhile. Reply #1256 in the sticky thread up top is where I put a few pics. That place is awesome...

Savage Gulf looks great. We are going to plan trip up during our spring break (second week in APR) for a few days. How were the camping permits? Just hoping it's not too crowded or limited camp sites...

ROCK6

 

[Mistwalker]

Great snaps Owen. I love Fall Creek Falls. We go in late summer or early autumn when camping as a family, but I like to go in the dead of winter by myself to escape some of the crowd.

 

[OwenM]

Is there much water in summer and fall? Ah'll be bahck

Savage Gulf looks great. We are going to plan trip up during our spring break (second week in APR) for a few days. How were the camping permits? Just hoping it's not too crowded or limited camp sites...

ROCK6

Keeping in mind that both times I was there, there was only one other campsite in use, and each time it was on the other side of the park, so I literally had the entire areas I was in completely to myself...there are forms at the trailheads, that you fill out(same form for Savage Gulf and Fiery Gizzard, it lists them all). One copy goes in the box, another on the dash of your vehicle, and the other with you. You check a box next to the campsites you'll be using, and write in the dates for which days you'll be at which sites.
I don't know what they might change to assure there's no overcrowding when there's more people.

At Fall Creek Falls, I went into the park office and signed up for a walkin site, and they gave me a number to put on a board with clips to "claim" my site. Again, I was the only one using the campground, but I imagine if they're full, you're just out of luck. I didn't do either of the overnight loops, so don't know how their backcountry system works.