Sill Branch Falls & Pine Ridge Falls, TN

I take my hikes very seriously. The sense of adventure, the communion with nature, the time for prayer and reflection – I deeply value moments I have alone in the woods.

But sometimes, it’s all about having fun.

A few weeks ago, Diana and I were afforded gorgeous, albeit unseasonably cool, weather and decided to hike to two waterfalls in Unicoi County, TN – Sill Branch Falls and Pine Ridge Falls.

Both waterfalls are located in the gorgeous Clark Creek area of Unicoi Co. Though the falls are not directly on Clark Creek, the waterway is impressive – it carves a wide, deep valley through its course, beginning above 4,000’ of elevation near the point where Unicoi, Washington, and Greene counties meet.

Both trailheads are on the same road (Clarks Creek Rd.) which winds through the valley and are about ¼-mile apart – we came to the trailhead for Sill Branch Falls first. Sill Branch is taller, has more volume, and is more popular as a result. The hike to the falls is a gentle climb out-and-back of only 1 mile on a well-maintained trail – quite a different temperament from the rugged backcountry that surrounds it.

Diana, on the final approach to Sill Branch Falls

That's my tree-hugger

A family had beaten us to the falls, but once they left Diana and I were free to take pictures and look silly.

 

 

 

 

A few weeks later, I returned to Sill Branch Falls in an attempt to explore the upper reaches of Sill Branch and reach a series of cliffs which tower above the valley. After a few hours of slow-going in the constant, pouring rain I forfeited my exploration for the much better prospect of dry clothes and a warm meal at Diana’s parent’s restaurant, Toby’s.

 

The beginning of the trail to Pine Ridge Falls is more overgrown than the trail to Sill Branch – you can tell that Pine Ridge Falls is less popular. After 50 yards or so, the trail opens up and it’s another relatively flat hike on a nice trail. Once we reached the falls after an easy, uneventful stroll, we had it all to ourselves.

Though are region had been unseasonable warm for a few weeks prior, the two days before our hike were very cold – the night immediately before saw freezing temperatures – so the water was ice-cold. It was a relatively warm day, but going under the waterfall provided quite an uncomfortable shock. After a few seconds in the rushing water, it became painful.

 

 

Diana loves waterfalls and was eager to experience it as much as she could – after seeing all the fun, I decided to join in as well.

 

 

 

We collected our wet gear and hiked back to the 4Runner with water dripping from our shirts and squishing with each step. We rejoined the main trail at a creek crossing (which is much easier when you’re already soaked) and threw our gear into my beleaguered backseat as we made our way back to Erwin. My poor backseat has seen wet clothes, muddy boots, unsheathed knives and axes, and some discarded, forgotten fast-food – yet it still looks new. I’m relieved that all the fun I have doesn’t come at more of a cost.

This outing wasn’t particularly challenging or adventurous – no one tested and nothing discovered, but we had a lot of fun; and, we found out that kissing beneath a raging, icy waterfall isn’t as romantic as one would imagine...

...but a day in the woods is still pretty romantic.

 

Thanks for reading!