Located in the Cherokee National Forest of the Smoky Mountains, near Greeneville, Tennessee, Upper Bailey Falls is a 30-foot tall waterfall in a slot canyon, with high rock walls set ten feet apart.
Following my visit to Lower Bailey Falls, I continued up a steep hillside and then back down a long, sloping rock pathway, to the top edge of the falls…
Video
Though similar, the waterway leading to the plunge pool of Upper Bailey Falls is shorter in distance, the water is deeper and the sound of falling water more substantial. With cool temperatures of both the water and air, I opted against wading forward into over waist deep water. While both falls were beautiful, the imposing geology of higher, tilting rock walls added greater interest to Upper Bailey Falls – making it my favorite of the two.
Prints
To decorate an empty wall in your home, office, business lobby or cafeteria setting, please visit my gallery to review a variety of available print types – including framed, canvas, art, poster, metal, acrylic, wood and tapestry. There are other items to see, as well. Framed prints may be customized (print size, frame, mat, mat width, paper).
Located in the Cherokee National Forest of the Smoky Mountains, near Greeneville, Tennessee, Lower Bailey Falls is a 20-foot tall waterfall in a slot canyon, with high rock walls set ten feet apart.
In order to access Lower Bailey Falls, visitors first follow the trail to Margarette Falls. If you’ve never been to the area, I recommend that you make time and do this shorter hike first – the picturesque Margarette Falls stands 60-feet tall, and the uphill hike along Dry Creek provides many beautiful cascades and smaller waterfalls.
The hike to Lower Bailey Falls is a total of 4 miles out and back, very strenuous, with an elevation gain of 971 feet. From the base of Margarette Falls, hikers must first ascend a steep, rugged 100-foot hillside, staying to the left at top to parallel Dry Creek upstream. A short path, of sorts, includes two creek crossings, but soon the creek itself becomes the trail for the remainder of the trek.
Everything is covered in moss and very slippery, which includes all larger stones underwater – it’s always best, when you’re able to see clearly through running water, to step on to sand or a cluster of smaller stones for better footing.
This may seem obvious, but worthy of emphasis: bearing all of ones weight on a single point, if that foot slips into an awkward position between two fixed rocks, serious injury may result…
Further ahead, space aside the creek is soon consumed by rock walls, with no place to walk except in the water, and the creek depth varies. In a few spots, to avoid waist deep (and cold) water, I had to carefully climb along the rock walls before descending back into the creek, again. And, hikers will also encounter a few larger boulders – sloping, some 12-feet long – which are deceptively slick.
Eventually, exercising patience and with safety in mind, you’ll hear the roar of falling water, and Lower Bailey Falls appears in the distance…
Pictured at left (above) is the beginning of a steep, 40-foot uphill scramble – some cliff & some forest – with a subsequent 20-foot descent leading hikers to the top edge of Lower Bailey Falls. After a long, sloping rock pathway, visitors will then see Upper Bailey Falls approx. 100-feet in the distance…more on that another time.
Prints
To decorate an empty wall in your home, office, business lobby or cafeteria setting, please visit my gallery to review a variety of available print types – including framed, canvas, art, poster, metal, acrylic, wood and tapestry. There are other items to see, as well. Framed prints may be customized (print size, frame, mat, mat width, paper).
The scenic Bald River Falls stands 90-feet tall and is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the area. Located in the Cherokee National Forest of the Southern Appalachian Mountains of eastern Tennessee, this photograph was taken on a bridge from the road, a short distance from parking.
Prints available. Located within the 15,590-acre South Cumberland State Park, the Savage Gulf State Natural Area has an abundance of beautiful scenery, such as featured here, not far from the Stone Door. Other hiking attractions include Lower Greeter Falls, Upper Greeter Falls, and Boardtree Falls, to name a few. It’s truly a great place to visit!
Prints. You’ll find many different print type to suit your interests, whether for the home or a workplace environment – including: framed, canvas, art, poster, metal, acrylic, wood and tapestries.
Prints available. Located in the Cherokee National Forest of the Southern Appalachian Mountains of eastern Tennessee, this smaller waterfall precedes the primary, 90-foot tall Bald River Falls.
Prints available. Located in the Cherokee National Forest of the Southern Appalachian Mountains of eastern Tennessee, scenic Bald River Falls stands 90-feet tall and can be viewed from River Road.
Prints available. This is actually the top of Bald River Falls, a 90-foot tall waterfall located in the Cherokee National Forest of the Southern Appalachian Mountains of eastern Tennessee.
Heading home from Georgia, I traveled northwest of Chattanooga, Tennessee, to visit the 110-foot waterfall called Falling Water Falls.
I found a parking spot – one of six available – as I arrived, and was soon at the overlook above the falls. It’s a very short hike along Little Falling Water Creek, on top of the Cumberland Escarpment, and the view is expansive! It is, however, difficult to see the waterfall except by looking down over the edge – probably a great location for photography using a drone.
Photographs
I asked two local hikers (Logan, Austin) about access to the base of the falls, though quickly decided against climbing down a rope affixed to the side of a cliff.
Video
Prints
If you’d be interested in a print of any kind, visit my shop at Pixels.
Visit my shop to enjoy a print of Conasauga Falls in your home or place of work. Select between the following print types: framed, canvas, art, poster, tapestry, acrylic, metal and wood. Thanks!
Here’s a shot using my zoom lens…Bald River Falls, located in the Southern Appalachian Mountains of the Cherokee National Forest, in Tennessee. See more.
I recently hiked to the 70′ Falls Branch Falls, a 3.1 mile (roundtrip) trail located in the Cherokee National Forest near Tellico Plains, Tennessee, along the Cherohala Skyway. It was the first of two hikes that day, the second being Conasauga Falls Trail – more on that another time.
I’d like to acknowledge my friend & her dog for making our hiking adventure so much fun – thanks Lara for your great planning!!!
Directions From Knoxville, TN
take I-40 W / I-75 S to Exit 60 (Sweetwater / Spring City)
turn left on TN-68 S (New Hwy 68) for 24.4 miles
turn left on TN-165 E (Cherohala Skyway / Unicoi Turnpike) for 22.4 miles
parking on left at Rattlesnake Rock
The Hike
The trailhead is located at the left side of the parking lot, and descends 515-feet to the base of the falls. Along the way, hikers will encounter a sign lacking clarity as to which way to proceed. Fortunately, someone has marked the sign with an arrow pointing left to the falls (see photo, middle):
Toward the end of the trail there is a steep section with loose rocks where hikers should exercise caution, particularly when covered with leaves, or following rain when surfaces may become slippery.
Though no flowers were present along the trail at this time of year, rhododendron plants were in abundance throughout the hike. As such, a return trip to this area in the spring may be in order.
Photographs
Prints
Visit my shop to select a photograph on one of many different print types available – framed, canvas, art, metal, wood and acrylic. Other items, too.
