the hard work of happiness

Happiness does not come from doing easy work but from the afterglow of satisfaction that comes after the achievement of a difficult task that demanded our best. 
--Theodore Isaac Rubin (b. 1923) American psychiatrist and author.

Above: Red Fork Falls near Unicoi, TN.

For a discussion of all the things to see and do on Unaka Mountain Road, click here.

Red Fork Falls

I ventured out to Red Fork Falls a couple weeks back and climbed down this series of beautiful waterfalls on Unaka Mountain further than I usually do.  Thought I'd share images of the six distinctive waterfalls to be found at Red Fork.  

1. This is the first waterfall you'll find at Red Fork. It's small, probably only 5 feet tall. Often I have found swirling watering in this area -- didn't quite work this time around, but under the right conditions, this creates a unique effect.

2. The main waterfall you see in the photo at the top of this post is actually the second one you'll encounter. At 60' this is quite impressive and powerful. In times of high water flow, you'll find the water forming a 'rooster tail' as it rushes out over the cascade.  

3. This cascading corkscrew is such an amazing feature. It's found immediately below the main waterfall. Like a water slide, the water rushes through a narrow, twisting formation on its way to the next small waterfall.

4. Continue climbing down the path and you next come to this stunning waterfall.  After the main waterfall, I consider this to be the next most beautiful one. It's worth climbing down to see!

5. Further down you come to this small split waterfall.

6. Finally I reached the end point of my adventure. This is another smallish waterfall, but a beauty. Some websites say there are eight waterfalls at Red Fork. I suppose it depends how you count them, but it's likely that there are others below what you see here. I have always stopped here at this point because opposite this waterfall is a sharply angled, slippery rock that usually keeps me from moving on! And plus, by this point, I'm pretty well exhausted from all the climbing. :)

For directions and a description of this short, but difficult (and dangerous) hike, click here. This isn't a hike for the kids or to take the dog on. There's a lot of climbing. It's also extremely slippery at the top of the main falls, so don't approach the edge. People have been seriously injured here. Below the main fall is also crazy slippery. But watch your step, take your time and you'll enjoy exploring Red Fork.

Before venturing out, please read my warnings, safety tips and disclaimers.

beauty within and without

Think of all the beauty that is still left in and around you and be happy.
--Anne Frank (1929-1945) writer and Holocaust victim.

Above: Red Fork Falls (taken Oct 19th) found on Unaka Mountain.

justice and power

Justice and power must be brought together, so that whatever is just may be powerful, and whatever is powerful may be just. 
--Blaise Pascal (1623-1662) French Mathematician, Philosopher and Physicist. 

For directions, click here. The road to Red Fork is paved, but if you continue up the mountain on Unaka Mountain Road, know that it took a big hit with the recent heavy rains, and is in rough shape in many places. For the last few years, the road has been in great shape, but now has deep gullies in many places, especially on the Unicoi side of the mountain. A high clearance vehicle is a must! For a detailed discussion of all there is to see and do on Unaka Mountain, click here.

gentle touches

The finest workers in stone are not copper or steel tools, but the gentle touches of air and water working at their leisure with a liberal allowance of time.
--Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862) American Essayist, Poet and Philosopher

Above: Red Fork Falls detail

don't miss it

The point is to see [today] for what it is because it will be gone before you know it. If you waste it, it is your life that you're wasting. If you look the other way, it may be the moment you've been waiting for always that you're missing.
--Frederick Buechner (1926-2022) minister and author.

unquenchable

Drinking nature is an unquenchable thirst.
Berri Clove

Red Fork Falls, Unicoi County, TN

enjoy where you are

We're so busy watching out for what's just ahead of us that we don't take time to enjoy where we are.
–Bill Watterson (b.1958) American cartoonist, creator of Calvin & Hobbes

Can you tell I've been busy lately? Sorry I haven't posted quite as frequently -- and that my trips seems to be fewer and closer to home. School is in full swing for me right now. I'm teaching a new course in Digital Photography at Milligan College which is demanding a lot of my time -- but I'm absolutely loving it. My students have a very broad range of experience: Some are new to photography this semester, Others are senior photography majors. One of the things I'm having them do is post three photos each week (except for test weeks) on our course blog according an the assigned theme. This week the theme is "movement." Next week they have their first test, but then the following week their theme is "blue." Using a class blog has been a fun way for them to share the images they create. So check it out and please feel free to leave an encouraging comment or two! I think they're producing some very creative and interesting work that you'll enjoy.

Above is a small waterfall located above the main Red Fork Falls that I posted on Tuesday.

powerful

Dreams and dedication are a powerful combination.
--William Longgood (b.1917) author

Red Fork Falls is roaring after our recent rains.

enchantment

The only words that ever satisfied me as describing Nature are the terms used in fairy books, charm, spell, enchantment. They express the arbitrariness of the fact and its mystery.
--G. K. Chesterton (1874-1936) English writer

This is the scene directly above the main Red Fork Falls. Immediately after taking this photo, while I was fiddling around with the camera settings, a red fox casually walked across the top of the small falls above, and disappeared into the woods. Crazy that my camera would be focused in his direction and yet I'd miss such a perfect opportunity! But it was a magical moment nonetheless.

Details: Nikon D90, 18-200mm lens at 20mm, f/22 for 2 sec, ISO 160.

divine connections

Strange is our situation here upon earth. Each of us comes for a short visit, not knowing why, yet sometimes seeming to a divine purpose. From the standpoint of daily life, however, there is one thing we do know: That we are here for the sake of others...for the countless unknown souls with whose fate we are connected by a bond of sympathy. Many times a day, I realize how much my outer and inner life is built upon the labors of people, both living and dead, and how earnestly I must exert myself in order to give in return as much as I have received.
--Albert Einstein (1879-1955) German-born American Physicist

For directions and discussions of this beautiful waterfall click here and here.

flexible and yielding force

Nothing in the world is more flexible and yielding than water. Yet when it attacks the firm and the strong, none can withstand it, because they have no way to change it. So the flexible overcome the adamant, the yielding overcome the forceful. Everyone knows this, but no one can do it.
--Lao Tzu (600 BC-531 BC) Chinese Philosopher

This is the waterfall located just below the main Red Fork Falls. All told there are eight falls of varying heights. The main waterfall is listed at 60 feet high -- the one you see above is significantly smaller, but still I'd say it's the second tallest of the bunch. Click here for additional pictures, descriptions and directions.

Turn, turn, turn

If you look closely, you'll occasionally find small whirlpools formed by the turning currents of creeks and waterfalls. To get the effect you see above, I simply threw in some green and brown leaves and left the shutter open for five seconds. I love when these shots work -- because then the 'hidden' water currents reveal an entirely different dimension of the waterfall. Of course for this shot to work, you have to use a tripod and have a cloudy day with no harsh sunlight. Click here to see a previous 'leaf swirl' photo. This small waterfall is located above the main 60' Red Fork Falls in Unicoi County, TN. With eight different waterfalls, it's a great place to explore! But as always when I write about Red Fork, I have to note that this is one of the most dangerous destinations in our area, the easy accessibility of the falls often lures visitors into places they should not go. So if you visit, be careful! (Click here, here and here for more information). Click here for my previous posts for directions, photos and descriptions of the hike.

Click here for a post listing all there is to see and do on Unaka Mountain.

Living

We are always getting ready to live but never living.
--Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)

A photo taken near the top of Red Fork Falls (see yesterday's post).

Red Fork Falls

Visited beautiful Red Fork Falls outside of Unicoi, TN between raindrops on Saturday -- and it really was an ideal day for Red Fork... the water level was perfect, it was a cloudy day (just what you want when photographing waterfalls), the recent rain caused the spring greens to be saturated with color, and we were the only ones there! If you want to see it for yourself, I recommend you read my detailed description of the falls here (which also includes directions) -- but please note, this isn't the place to take the kids or to walk the dogs -- even though it's only a 1/2 mile hike, it's a very steep, slippery descent. Stay far back from the edge at the top of the falls - it's very slick and dangerous. Use common sense and respect the falls, and you'll be fine.

The top photo shows the main falls -- it's listed as 60 feet. There's a smaller waterfall above this and many more further down -- but what you see above is the main attraction. If it's your desire to 'see it all' -- you could spend all afternoon exploring the area. The photo to the right is a side-profile of a small section of the main falls.

Red Fork Falls

This is one of the most beautiful falls in our region, and while it's a short hike from the parking area, it's actually one of the toughest falls to view. The half-mile hike is extremely steep and often very slippery. Many people have been seriously injured attempting to view these falls. You don't so much hike to the falls as you actually climb down to them -- no steps here, just rocks and tree stumps to hold onto. So while it's an amazing waterfall, this trip isn't for everyone. (I don't even bring my dog to this one!) Take your time and use caution and common sense -- for instance, wear shoes with ankle support and stay off the slippery rocks at the top of the falls! If you aren't able to visit, take a look at more of my pictures. Red Fork Falls is actually a series of eight falls. The first three photos here show various views of the main 60' waterfall. The final photo is the corkscrew that the water enters immediately after the main falls -- the water enters from the right and zig-zags through the narrow channel to another cascade. It's an amazing place to visit -- but with all the climbing, you'll be sore the next day or two!

Directions: From I-26 take the Unicoi exit (#32). At the end of exit ramp turn east towards town. At the stop sign, turn right onto Unicoi Road (which is also known locally as the Erwin Highway) and proceed for 0.7 miles. Follow the signs pointing to the Cherokee National Forest by turning left onto Rt. 107 (Limestone Cove Road). Drive 7.8 miles, turn right on Red Fork Road (it's also referred to as Unaka Mountain Road). Proceed up the mountain for 1.2 miles to a small parking area and trail head to your right -- marked only with a big red dot on one of the trees. After a short walk down the initial part of the trail, you'll cross the creek, then turning right, you'll cross another one. Continue a short ways more and your near-vertical descent will commence!

Note: While you won't need a high clearance vehicle to get to Red Fork Falls, I'd recommend one if you wish to continue on Red Fork Road to Stamping Ground Ridge, Horseback Ridge, Unaka Mountain Overlook and Beauty Spot. Click here for a detailed post listing all there is to see and do on Unaka Mountain.

Before venturing out, please read my warnings, safety tips and disclaimers.