serene and pure

He who would be serene and pure needs but one thing, detachment. 
--Meister Eckhart (1260-1327) German Writer and Theologian.

Above: Dry Creek in Greene County on the trail to Margarette Falls.

happiness

All who would win joy, must share it; happiness was born a twin.
--Lord Byron (1788-1824) British poet. 

A small waterfall encountered on the way to Margarette Falls in Greene County, TN.

of mysteries and marvels

The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing. One cannot help but be in awe when he contemplates the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvelous structure of reality. It is enough if one tries merely to comprehend a little of this mystery every day. Never lose a holy curiosity. 
--Albert Einstein (1879-1955) German-born American Physicist. 

Above: Margarette Falls, Greene Co., TN

take it all in

Live each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influences of each. 
--Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862) American Essayist, Poet and Philosopher

Margarette Falls in Greene County, TN. For information and directions, click here.

pace yourself

Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.
--Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862) American Essayist, Poet and Philosopher

Above: Margarette Falls in Greene County, TN ~ click here for information and directions.

look and trust

Simply look with perceptive eyes at the world about you, and trust to your own reactions and convictions. Ask yourself: "Does this subject move me to feel, think and dream? Can I visualize a print - my own personal statement of what I feel and want to convey - from the subject before me?
--Ansel Adams (1902-1984) photographer

A small waterfall on the way up to see beautiful Margarette Falls in Greene County, TN. The hike to Margarette is one of my favorites - and the main waterfall is one of the most beautiful in all of northeast Tennessee. Click the link above for directions and details and click here for more photos.

Look Around

Like tourists huffing and puffing to reach the peak we forget the view on the way up.
--Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900) German Philosopher

This is one of the many small waterfalls found along the trail to Margarette Falls in Greene County, TN.

Margarette Falls

Kept driving yesterday until I found a place it wasn't raining. Ended up at Margarette Falls in Greene County, TN. The last time I was there it was late June and HOT. Today the trail seemed much shorter, although more slippery. As luck would have it, when I reached the falls it started raining. So I quickly snapped a few photos and headed back to the car. But that was alright, the main idea was to get out of the house and attempt to burn off multiple turkey dinners.

The thumbnail photo to the right is the original -- above is the version created using a Photoshop plugin called Topaz Simplify (more here). I really like how it pulls out the colors and, well, simplifies the scene making it appear as a watercolor painting.

For directions to this beautiful waterfall, click here.

mysterious grace

Listen to your life. See it for the fathomless mystery that it is. In the boredom and pain of it no less than in the excitement and gladness: touch, taste, smell your way to the holy and hidden heart of it because in the last analysis all moments are key moments, and life itself is grace.
--Frederick Buechner (1926-2022) minister and author 

 Above: Margarette Falls, Greene County, TN

a daring adventure or nothing

Life is either a daring adventure or nothing. To keep our faces toward change and behave like free spirits in the presence of fate is strength undefeatable.
--Helen Keller (1880-1968)

Scenes along the trail to Margarette Falls. Click photos to enlarge.

Margarette Falls

One of the most popular waterfalls to visit in Greene County, TN is the spectacular, 60-foot-tall Margarette Falls (sometimes spelled 'Marguerite'). The hike to get there is surprisingly beautiful, but also fairly strenuous. The trail snakes its way through impressive rock formations, over and around lots of small waterfalls and cascades, and across four creek crossings as it makes its way through the gorge to the falls. Even though it's listed as a moderate/strenuous hike (the slick rocks, the humidity and my backpack weren't helping me), I have to say it's one of the most scenic hikes in our area. The waterfall itself is magnificent - the combination of free-falling water and cascades makes this waterfall unique and picturesque.

Directions from I-26 -- take the Erwin/Jonesborough exit #37. At the end of the ramp, turn west toward Jonesborough taking State Route 81/107 west for 6.5 miles; stay on Rt. 107 by turning left and continuing for 16 more miles until you reach Route 351, turn left and travel for 4.5 miles, then take another left onto Route 350 (Greystone Road). Continue on for 3.8 miles and then turn right onto Shelton Mission Road. After 1.3 miles, turn right into the large gravel parking area for Margarette Falls, Phillips Hollow Trail and Bullen Hollow Trail (watch your odometer, the parking lot is easy to pass because the sign for it faces the other direction!).

After parking, walk the gravel road for 1/2 mile to another clearing. From here, take the trail to your right and almost immediately you'll come to another fork, go left. Follow the trail for approximately 0.7 more miles to the falls (it seems much farther!). Both Bill Fuller and Wendell Dingus describe two more waterfalls above Margarette, click here and here for more.

Update 8/31/08: Click here to read the account of a young hiker who was seriously injured when he slipped and fell 40' while attempting to climb Margarette -- in all, it took a team of 80 volunteers to rescue him.

Update 4/17/12: They've rerouted the trail and built a bridge, which changed this hike significantly. It's still a lovely hike, but to be honest, it's not quite the same. While the trail still follows the creek, it has been moved up the sides of the surrounding hills for much of the hike. The good news is that there is now only one creek crossing. Also, evidence of the terrible storms that blew through this area two years ago can still be seen with all the trees that were blown down. Still recommend the hike - the falls are gorgeous!