Editing Clarks Creek
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
Warning: You are not logged in. Your IP address will be publicly visible if you make any edits. If you log in or create an account, your edits will be attributed to your username, along with other benefits.
The edit can be undone. Please check the comparison below to verify that this is what you want to do, and then publish the changes below to finish undoing the edit.
Latest revision | Your text | ||
Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{Park | {{Park | ||
|Banner Image=File: | |Banner Image=File:Sills Branch Falls 2.jpg | ||
|Park Type=Recreation Area | |Park Type=Recreation Area | ||
|Entrance Fee Type=None | |Entrance Fee Type=None | ||
|Activities=Hiking, Geocaching | |Activities=Hiking, Geocaching | ||
|Features=Waterfalls, Vistas, Rivers | |Features=Waterfalls, Vistas, Rivers | ||
|Park Amenities=Sports | |Park Amenities=Sports | ||
Line 14: | Line 14: | ||
__TOC__ | __TOC__ | ||
==Park Overview== | ==Park Overview== | ||
Clarks Creek | Clarks Creek Recreation Area is a secretive backcountry cove nestled in the Bald Mountains not far from the Tri-Cities, Jonesborough, and Erwin just off of TN 107. Much of the Clarks Creek area borders Sampson Mountain Wilderness. This area is popular for hiking and fishing. It is home to several waterfalls, one being the famous Buckeye Falls (475'), the tallest waterfall system in Tennessee. As of 2015, camping is not allowed due to bear activity. | ||
== Directions == | == Directions == | ||
Line 22: | Line 22: | ||
* Turn left at Lamar Crossroads to continue on TN 107. | * Turn left at Lamar Crossroads to continue on TN 107. | ||
* Travel about 5 miles and take a left onto Clarks Creek Road. | * Travel about 5 miles and take a left onto Clarks Creek Road. | ||
* Travel on Clarks Creek Road for about 1.5 miles to where the road turns gravel to enter the Clarks Creek Area (USFS 25; also entering Unicoi County). | * Travel on Clarks Creek Road for about 1.5 miles to where the road turns gravel to enter the Clarks Creek Recreation Area (USFS 25; also entering Unicoi County). | ||
== History == | == History == | ||
Line 28: | Line 28: | ||
== Buckeye Falls == | == Buckeye Falls == | ||
Officially, Buckeye Falls is measured at 475 feet being the tallest waterfall system in Tennessee. However, many locals swear it falls more than 600 feet if counting countless cascades; unofficially beating Whitewater Falls in North Carolina as the tallest waterfall east of the Rockies. | Officially, Buckeye Falls is measured at 475 feet being the tallest waterfall system in Tennessee. However, many locals swear it falls more than 600 feet if counting countless cascades; unofficially beating Whitewater Falls in North Carolina as the tallest waterfall east of the Rockies. But the 600 foot ruling has not been officially confirmed due to the steep/sheer drop terrain. | ||
Requiring a 3.6 mile hike through water fords and rocks, it is a low-flow cascading waterfall. So plan on making a trek to the base of the falls after a good rain. During the summer time, the flow may be dry. However, the trip to the base is more of a challenge which hikers love to brag about. | |||
Some adventurers will opt for the more panoramic view by going up the Lower Higgins Creek drainage outside of Erwin and viewing the falls from Chigger Ridge on Rich Mountain. | |||
== Park Trails == | == Park Trails == | ||
The park offers the following trails to explore: | The park offers the following trails to explore: | ||
{{Park trail table|Park={{PAGENAME}}}} | {{Park trail table|Park={{PAGENAME}}}} | ||
==Gallery== | ==Gallery== | ||
{{Park trail gallery|Park={{PAGENAME}}}} | {{Park trail gallery|Park={{PAGENAME}}}} | ||
{{Trail Stub | |||
|Trail=Iron Furnace | |||
|Trailhead location=36.1283167, -82.5341583 | |||
|Difficulty=Easy | |||
|Trail Marking=Blue | |||
|Trail Highlight=Forest Service Trail #109 | |||
}} | |||
{{Trail Stub | {{Trail Stub | ||
|Trail=Hell Hollow | |Trail=Hell Hollow | ||
|Trailhead location=36.1283167, -82.5341583 | |Trailhead location=36.1283167, -82.5341583 | ||
| | |Difficulty=Easy | ||
| | |Trail Marking=Blue | ||
|Trail Highlight=Forest Service Trail #124 | |Trail Highlight=Forest Service Trail #124 | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{ | {{Trail Stub | ||
| | |Trail=Clarks Creek | ||
| | |Trailhead location=36.1283167, -82.5341583 | ||
|Difficulty=Easy | |||
|Trail Marking=Blue | |||
| | |||
| | |||
}} | }} |