Sill Branch Falls

If you've never visited the Clark's Creek area of Unicoi and Washington Counties, you should put it on your list. Because one of my favorite falls in our entire region, Sill Branch Fall, is located there.  I love the setting -- surrounded by rock cliffs and steep hills on each side -- it's nestled deep into the woods. Very remote and tranquil. Nearby is Pine Ridge Falls. Both are easy hikes (around 1/2 mile to each). If you decide to go, I recommend going right after we've had some decent rains. During dry spells these falls are often reduced to just a trickle. Check out Bill Fuller's photos taken two days prior to these (click  here) and you'll see how even a couple days of no rain changes this waterfall. To the right is another view of the falls which gives you an idea of its height. By the way... if you look on up the hill to the right of the falls (not pictured here), it looks like a cave. But let me save you the trouble of climbing this insanely steep section...it's not! :)

Directions: Take I-26 to the Erwin/Jonesborough exit #37. At the end of the ramp, turn right and take State Route 81/107 west for 6.5 miles, stay on Rt. 107 by turning left and continue for 5 more miles. Turn left on Clark's Creek Road and drive 3.1 miles (the last 1.7 will be gravel) into the Cherokee National Forest to a small parking area on the left. A small brown marker indicates the trail head for Sill Branch Falls -- the first part of the hike has an easy incline, when the trail forks, stick to the left and you'll immediately cross a small stream. Continue on up this steep section of trail and you'll soon arrive at the falls.