Sunday, December 21, 2008

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.

13 comments:

  1. Good information. I'm thinking about visiting the area on Thursday or Friday. Any information on the upper Sill Branch waterfall?

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  2. These websites have some information about the upper falls. I have yet to visit it. Check out the topo map on the first website and you'll see how to get there...
    http://www.cmpros.com/hiking/SillBranch
    http://www.cs.utk.edu/~dunigan/landforms/m.php?wpt=UCF011

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  3. It was great! Thanks for the directions!

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  4. When the trail splits you go left for Sill Branch Falls, but is there anything to the right (or straight). My friend and I walked for maybe a half a mile further thinking there might be another waterfall. We didn't find anything, but the trail continued further.
    - Jarrod

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  5. Keep following the trail you describe to the right for a half mile and then cut left (see the topo included in the link below) and you'll come to Upper Sill Branch Falls. I haven't yet been there, hopefully I will soon and I'll have more specific directions. Photos and topo map here...http://www.cmpros.com/hiking/SillBranch

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  6. Love sill branch falls! We go several times a year. It is so beautful n peaceful! I have several pics from there

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  7. We went today, WOW! Gorgeous lower falls. Thank you for sharing your pictures, descriptions, and directions. I've falling in love with waterfalls.

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  8. We went today, and WOW! Gorgeous waterfall! Thank you for sharing your pictures, descriptions, and directions. As a result of seeing many of these places for myself, I've fallen in love with waterfalls!

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  9. Was there today-great hike,but the falls were not at full blast.

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  10. We went today .Beautiful! water was a little more cfs than pics above.

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  11. We did this hike last week in the rain, but it was still beautiful. Took our Golden retriever mix with us and she had a great time. Was still able to get some decent photos. Trail is in good shape. Due to the rain and the time of day (late afternoon), we had it all to ourselves.

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  12. A nice hike with great scenery. The hike is not rough and the falls is great. Lots of nice rock formations.

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  13. Hiked here 3 weeks ago and it was really nice and peaceful. No one else around on the trail. Easy hike and the falls were beautiful!

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