March 9th, 2008 - I had a beautiful Sunday afternoon, so I set out on another waterfall hunt...  this time exploring the very scenic Lower Higgins Creek area in Unicoi County.

I parked the Jeep and then crossed an old rickety bridge where the trail immediately began by following Lower Higgins Creek on what seemed to be an old logging road.  My GPS unit struggled with keeping a signal in this entire area so I'm not exactly sure of the mileage, but I believe I went about one mile before reaching the 1st Lower Higgins Creeks Falls.  The climb up to this point was moderate except for the last couple hundred yards, where the trail became pretty steep.                          

At the waterfall, the trail itself is well above the falls, so to get to a good viewing point I had to make a hard, very steep bushwhack down into the ravine... dropping at least a hundred feet to get down to the stream.  The slope down was also snow-covered making it much more difficult, but I took my time and made it easier than I'd initially thought I would.

I spent quite some time at the base of the falls... resting after my tough climb down... I also had a snack, set up my tripod, took some photos, and simply admired this fantastic waterfall.  Water flow was great and I would guess the overall height of the falls to be around 100' (much taller and grand than what my photos seem to portray).    

The climb up from the base of the falls wasn't near as tough as the climb down, and when I got back on the trail I continued onward in hopes to find the other waterfalls upstream (4 more smaller ones from what I've read), but the trail soon came to a creek crossing.  I first decided to ford it, but when I got about halfway across the stream I backed out.  I looked for other places to cross, but there just wasn't any way to ford it without getting wet, and I didn't really want to hike with wet legs and feet on a chilly day, so I decided to save it for later in the year.  I turned around and hiked back out.      

"Hanging by a Thread"

Two Icicles Hanging From Rhododendron 

Roots Only Inches Above the Stream 

Total Miles Hiked:  2.0 

Directions:  From Johnson City, take I-26 toward Erwin, and go on past Erwin to exit #43  (Temple Hill).  Turn left at the stop sign at the bottom of the exit (your only option).  At the next stop sign turn right onto 19W (19/23).  After .75 mile, turn right onto Lower Higgins Creek Road.  Follow this road for approximately 1.5 miles until it dead-ends.  The trailhead will be off to your left (looking upstream) across the old bridge.