Pete's Branch Falls

Pete's Branch Falls is located in the beautiful Horse Creek Recreation Area in Greene County, TN. You might not know it from this picture, but during high water this waterfall is quite impressive (see photos here). However, getting to it is a challenge. While it's possible to drive in and park 1 mile from the waterfall, this option is only for those with extra-high clearance vehicles (jeeps) and a tinge of insanity. It's the roughest "road" I've ever seen. For the rest of us, getting to the waterfall will require a 2+ mile hike, complete with 9 creek crossings (of varying difficulty). Save this hike for a time when you're sure you'll have plenty of water in the creek -- and perhaps a crazy friend with a jeep.

Directions: From I-26 -- take the Erwin/Jonesborough exit #37. At the end of the ramp, turn west toward Jonesborough and take State Route 81/107 west for 6.5 miles, stay on Rt. 107 by turning left and continuing for 13.2 more miles. Turn left on Horse Creek Park Road and follow the signs as you drive 3 miles to a parking area on the left (where the pavement ends). Park here (trust me, you don't want to drive up the gravel road!). Hike in, following the road for 0.8 miles until you reach another parking area. From here, take the road to the left that immediately crosses the creek continue for a quarter mile (est.), a large sign will point the way to Pete's Branch to the right. You will soon reach another fork, where a sign will point the way to the left. I estimate that in all, it is 2.0-2.5 miles each way.

Horse Creek

Ventured through the snow into Greene County, TN today. Horse Creek Recreation Area is a new discovery, so at this point I don't know much except to say it's a beautiful area to explore. It reminds me a bit of Rock Creek Park in Erwin; both are products of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) of the 1930s. There are picnic and camping sites, fishing, swimming and of course, lots of trails to hike. At least two waterfalls are nearby: Petes Branch Falls and Squib Creek Falls. While there are some bridges, in many places you'll have to hop across on rocks (not so easy on a snowy day). This park, located off of Route 107, is eight miles southeast of Greeneville and 20 miles southwest of Erwin.

Directions: From I-26 -- take the Erwin/Jonesborough exit #37. At the end of the ramp, turn west toward Jonesborough and take State Route 81/107 west for 6.5 miles, stay on Rt. 107 by turning left and continuing for 13.2 more miles. Turn left on Horse Creek Park Road and follow the signs as you drive 3 miles to a parking area on the left. It's possible to drive into the "back country", but you'll need a high clearance vehicle that can handle the rough road and make it over the creek crossings.