Trip Report – Margarette Falls

Trip Date: January 17th
Schaefer Family Reporting

Our timing is off in planning these hikes. Another missed chance to see frozen falls as it’s surely bedecked with ice now. Alas the problem with planning one to two months ahead. I just have to put it on the calendar and hope for the best. It is not to say that it wasn’t worth it. Despite no ice, the trail scenery was beautiful with freshly fallen snow and frosted top mountains. The hike was fairly straight forward, well worn, and well marked. We made our way to the falls, enjoyed the view and a quick snack and got moving again before the cold got to us. The return home included a stop at the Greeneville Pizza Inn. No takers on this hike, just the Schaefer family including dogs Zoinks! and Beetle.

We saw the profile of a face.
We saw the profile of a face.
Quite the stout bridge out here
Quite the stout bridge out here
One day I'll see you covered in ice
One day I’ll see you covered in ice
Someone will surely suffer from this
Someone will surely suffer from this
It's cold - where's the ice?
It’s cold – where’s the ice?
Rock hopper
Rock hopper
Snow flocked hike
Snow flocked hike

Margarette Falls, Trip Report

Joe DeLoach reporting

Event Date: April 7th

The most frequent question I received on this hike was “How far ahead did you plan it?” as it turned out to be a gorgeous day with lots of water and 17 species of wildflowers in bloom.  Although the warm winter and spring resulted in the early spring flowers having already bloomed and gone, later spring flowers including vernal and crested dwarf iris, erect trilliums, foamflower, and a particularly nice patch of bleeding heart made for a very nice display.  Seven of us hiked together up the 1.3-mile trail, which had been improved by the Forest Service with three of the former stream crossings removed by relocations and a new bridge.  Everyone navigated the one remaining crossing without incident.  The crossing of Dry Creek to reach the rough Phillips Hollow Trail at the former parking area is no longer evident.  While having lunch at the falls, Ken Weakley and his family arrived; they had other plans which kept them from going with us, but used the route from the Trail Wiki to find the trail and us.  Hikers included Donna Ashby, Rhoda Bliese, Alan Gamble, Chris Neglia and his 7-year old son Joe, Monika Wiedmann, and Joe DeLoach.

Spring Wildflower Hike April 7 – Margarette Falls

Joe DeLoach hike notice
(Scheduled for Saturday, April 7, 2012)

The combination of wildflowers and waterfalls has led to some popular Club hikes, and we’re hoping for the same with this short hike to Margarette Falls.  One of our prettiest area waterfalls, Margarette Falls drops about 60 feet and descends through a rocky canyon adorned by many spring flowers.  The Unaka Ranger District of the Cherokee National Forest has improved the trail with some relocation and a bridge, and the trail makes a great family hike suitable for young children.  Round-trip distance is about 3 miles with an elevation gain of around 700 feet; see [[Margarette Falls|our listing in the Trail Wiki]] for more information.  The flowers are early this year with all the warm weather, but early April can be cold, wet, and fickle so bring layers of clothes and good raingear.  We’ll meet at 9:00 AM in the parking lot between McDonald’s and State of Franklin Bank in Colonial Heights.  A meeting point in Boones Creek can be arranged for people who live towards Johnson City.  We’ll plan on lunch at the falls and get you back in the early afternoon.  Please contact Joe if you’d like to go or for more information.