The Blue Hole

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Overall
Recommendation:
Great place for beginning hikers, photographers, sight-seers, and a good place to visit if you don’t have much to time to hike.  Kids can visit here too, but keep an eye on them.  There are numerous cliffs and dangerous areas.

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Outstanding
Features:
Four waterfalls.

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Difficulty:
Easy.

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Driving:
From Elizabethton, get on Highway 91 toward Stoney Creek.  Proceed ~10 miles and take a left on Panhandle Road.  You will see a brown “Blue Hole” sign pointing the direction.  Continue for another mile to a graveled parking area on your left.

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Trails:
This is a very short hike.  From the parking area, you’ll see an old road going down the hill toward the right  Just walk down this road and it will bring you to the stream.  Continue downstream to view all the waterfalls.

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Needed
Gear & Tips:
Camera!

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Distance:
0.2 miles.

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Time
Allotment:
<1 hour

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Type:
Out & Back.

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Vista
Rating (1-5):

1.0 – No elevated mountain views

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Waterfall
Rating (based on a 1-50 scale):

Blue Hole #1: H(2) + F(5) + V(3) + W(1) + G(3+4+8) = 26

Blue Hole #2: H(2) + F(5) + V(3) + W(1) + G(5+4+10) = 30

Blue Hole #3: H(3) + F(5) + V(2) + W(1) + G(5+4+5) = 25

Blue Hole #4: H(2) + F(5) + V(2) + W(1) + G(1+4+2) = 17

Blue Hole Combined: H(7) + F(5) + V(4) + W(1) + G(5+4+9) = 35

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Water
Crossings:
One or two (easy to moderate), but not required unless you wish to explore.

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Scrambling/Climbing:
Only steep steps and steep banks.

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Hazards:
This is usually a very wet, slippery place.  Take precautions around the cliffs and drop-offs.  Keep a close eye on children.  The steps leading down to the base of the falls are very steep and can be slick.

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Maps/GPS
info:

None
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More
Information:

Appalachian Treks