Margarette Falls

Margarette Falls (log in to submit report)
Trail Number	FS #189
Land Owner	Cherokee National Forest
Located	Greeneville, Tennessee
Trail Marking	Blue
Trail UseThings allowed to do on or near the trail
FeaturesThings to see on or near the trail
Difficulty Rating	Medium
Hiking TimeTime from car and back. Includes any time hiking to access this trail.	2 hrs0.125 Days <br />120 Min <br /> round trip
Distance:	1.3 mi2.092 km <br /> trailStrict non-repeating trail length / 2.62.6 mi <br />4.184 km <br /> round tripTypical or shortest length from the car, hike the trail, and return to car
Trail Type	In-and-Out
Low / High Point	1,854 ft618 Yards <br />565.099 Meters <br /> / 2,521 ft840.333 Yards <br />768.401 Meters <br />
Elev. Gain/LossSee link for details of calculation. Gain/Loss is direction dependent.	668 ft203.606 Meters <br /> / (0 ft0 Meters <br />) – North-to-South
Trip ReportsFrom user "hiked it" submissions<br />Recent is within last 90 days	2 logged hikes (0 recent)
NearbyWithin 5 mi<br />Click link to view list	1 trails / 2.5 mi of trail
Parking	36° 4' 8.44" N, 82° 43' 6.49" W Map
Trailhead	36° 4' 8.44" N, 82° 43' 6.49" W Map
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Trail Overview

Short hike up a rocky path to a nice cascading falls, that in the winter can ice over very well.

How to get there

From Johnson City, TN

1. Turn onto Cherokee Road, TN 67.
2. In about 10 miles, turn left onto TN 81 (toward Erwin).
3. On Tenn. 81, drive 0.8 miles (cross Nolichucky River).
4. Turn right on TN 107 west (toward Tusculum).
5. Drive 13.8 miles from TN 81/107 junction.
6. Turn left toward USFS Horse Creek Recreation Area (sign).
7. Proceed 0.8 miles.
8. Turn right (sign -Horse Creek, Old Forge).
9. Almost immediately (0.1 miles) turn right onto Union Chapel Road.
10. Then after 0.2 miles, turn left onto Greene Ridge Road.
11. After 0.6 miles turn left onto Greystone Road. Stay on most used route on narrow, winding road.
12. At about 3.2 miles, turn left onto Shelton Mission Church Road (sign to church).
13. Proceed 2.2 miles on Shelton Mission Chuch Road (pass church, cross bridge), and reach gravel road (USFS sign to Bullen Hollow and Margarette Falls Trails).
14. Turn left and drive on rough road for 0.5 miles to turnaround and parking area.

Route Description

Hike 0.6 miles up the Bullen Hollow Trail (blue blaze). The Margarette Falls Trail (FS #189) is apparently the second blazed trail off of Bullen Hollow Trail (do not ford main creek). It takes the right fork of the creek and the falls are about 0.75 miles from Bullen Trail intersection with now just one ford on this trail.

Do not follow the yellow blazes as those are for a very steep off-road vehicle trail to the top of Camp Creek Bald.

Elevation profile

Miles	Elevation	Margarette Falls Trail
0.0	1,854	Trailhead
0.6	2,100	Fork for Bullen Hollow Trail
0.85	2,521	Metal Bridge
1.3	2600	Margarette Falls

The trail is a consistent hike up hill with little descent on the outbound trip. Only a few short sections includes grades greater than 20%.

Typical Conditions

Trail improvements have installed three bridges, thus leaving just one creek crossing. The upper path section is very rough with lots of large boulders and roots; however, does appear a crew is trying to make upgrades.

Stepping stones across the creek crossing are good if the water flow is not very high. Recommend trekking poles for stability.

Fees, Permits, etc.

None needed.

Misc. Information

Greeneville Hiking Club has an excellent Description of the trail. They also have an extension on this hike up to Bailey Falls, which is another 1/3rd of a mile, but involves a difficult wall climb to the right of Margarette Falls.

Per the Forest Service website, a thriving logging camp used to be located at the trailhead. At this location was a boarding house, dining hall, and several other support buildings. A railroad, locally known as the Pea Vine, carried logs from this forest on its twelve mile trip to Greeneville.

Photos

• 

  Trailhead sign

• 

  Metal bridge

• 

  Stepping stones for Dry Creek crossing

• 

  Wood bridge

• 

  Margarette Falls in May

• 

  Profile: Trailhead to falls

• 

  Winter view of the falls - not well iced over

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