1. Hiking
  2. waterfall hunting

Falling Water State Natural Area

Waterfall adventure trip to Crystal Falls and then on to Falling Water State Natural Area on Signal Mountain TN
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  • Babala the GPS (Tom Tom) system successfully navigated us right to the trailhead of Crystal Falls.  Even though I did not have confidence she would bring us to the right place.

    Babala the GPS (Tom Tom) system successfully navigated us right to the trailhead of Crystal Falls. Even though I did not have confidence she would bring us to the right place.

  • Empty trash can.. with no bottom in it....... lying on the ground here at the trailhead

    Empty trash can.. with no bottom in it....... lying on the ground here at the trailhead

  • Along with this discarded utility stand.

    Along with this discarded utility stand.

  • 5 old tires, a battery, mechanical parts and Little Julius Caesar on his bicycle. He kick up da kick down stan'. He kick down the kick up stan' He kick it up agin' the do' jamb. 

Can you tell we're back in the Cumberland Plateau?

    5 old tires, a battery, mechanical parts and Little Julius Caesar on his bicycle. He kick up da kick down stan'. He kick down the kick up stan' He kick it up agin' the do' jamb. Can you tell we're back in the Cumberland Plateau?

  • Partial views of a blue sky day over the Cumberland Plateau from the top portion of the Crystal Falls hike.

    Partial views of a blue sky day over the Cumberland Plateau from the top portion of the Crystal Falls hike.

  • The steep climb on 60* or better slopes out of this hole. I actually took this shot on my climb back out.  I was depressed because at the time I thought I had twice this to do.  Once at the road....... it was only 3/10th mile on level ground back to the jeep.

    The steep climb on 60* or better slopes out of this hole. I actually took this shot on my climb back out. I was depressed because at the time I thought I had twice this to do. Once at the road....... it was only 3/10th mile on level ground back to the jeep.

  • Sunstar from looking back out of the gorge where the falls is located.

    Sunstar from looking back out of the gorge where the falls is located.

  • 90 ft high Crystal Falls. First time we'd ever seen it with ice and snow.

    90 ft high Crystal Falls. First time we'd ever seen it with ice and snow.

  • Close up of the icy ledge at the base.

    Close up of the icy ledge at the base.

  • A scramble down the gorge below the waterfall today proved there is not a 2nd drop to Crystal Falls.  I had believed there was, but I was wrong.  We had less water today and boulder field was a little easier to negotiate.

    A scramble down the gorge below the waterfall today proved there is not a 2nd drop to Crystal Falls. I had believed there was, but I was wrong. We had less water today and boulder field was a little easier to negotiate.

  • View from Buzzard Point

    View from Buzzard Point

  • Brink of the 110 ft high Falling Water Falls. Like Crystal Falls, we were disappointed and very surprised at how little water was coming over after all the rain and snow we've had.

    Brink of the 110 ft high Falling Water Falls. Like Crystal Falls, we were disappointed and very surprised at how little water was coming over after all the rain and snow we've had.

  • View through the trees out across the gulf

    View through the trees out across the gulf

  • Another small, scenic waterfall we found while exploring.  Below this is a monumental drop!

    Another small, scenic waterfall we found while exploring. Below this is a monumental drop!

  • This is a tall waterfall, but all we can see from here is the brink.

    This is a tall waterfall, but all we can see from here is the brink.

  • Lots of downed trees, lose rocks, and steep terrain

    Lots of downed trees, lose rocks, and steep terrain

  • An interesting stack of rocks on the path

    An interesting stack of rocks on the path

  • Kenny asked me to snap a shot of all the icicles up on the cliffs above us.

    Kenny asked me to snap a shot of all the icicles up on the cliffs above us.

  • Grinning and gleaming down at us from above. Looking beautiful but like some vicious teeth of an animal. An accurate characterization of  the terrain.  Pretty, but killer!

    Grinning and gleaming down at us from above. Looking beautiful but like some vicious teeth of an animal. An accurate characterization of the terrain. Pretty, but killer!

  • Finally down at the bottom. A sluice runs along this area.

    Finally down at the bottom. A sluice runs along this area.

  • Sluiceway

    Sluiceway

  • Many rapids and cascades

    Many rapids and cascades

  • First pretty cascade

    First pretty cascade

  • Close up of first cascade

    Close up of first cascade

  • Looks like steps

    Looks like steps

  • Huge log has fallen over the creek. Anyone feel like using it for a bridge?

    Huge log has fallen over the creek. Anyone feel like using it for a bridge?

  • Uppermost cascade we found.

    Uppermost cascade we found.

  • Serene pool and 2nd cascade. Our favorite.

    Serene pool and 2nd cascade. Our favorite.

  • not a huge waterfall, but one of the most pretty scenes we'd run into in awhile.

    not a huge waterfall, but one of the most pretty scenes we'd run into in awhile.

  • Untitled photo
  • Untitled photo
  • Untitled photo
  • Pool below the uppermost cascade

    Pool below the uppermost cascade

  • Kenny stands by the huge ice columns

    Kenny stands by the huge ice columns

  • Closer view of Upper cascade

    Closer view of Upper cascade

  • icy tread to get to the falls. treachery!

    icy tread to get to the falls. treachery!

  • Sheer cliffs on the opposite side of the gorge

    Sheer cliffs on the opposite side of the gorge

  • Cliffs across from the falls

    Cliffs across from the falls

  • Looking down the gulf toward Fallingwater Canyon.. We are now in Picketts Gulf

    Looking down the gulf toward Fallingwater Canyon.. We are now in Picketts Gulf

  • I am standing in part of the rock house on the cliff. Looking down the gulf

    I am standing in part of the rock house on the cliff. Looking down the gulf

  • 1/2 a pine tree.  The other half was above here and you could see where flood waters had twisted it in two. The top 1/2 was caught fast on another tree.  The part down here was wrenched off by the water.

    1/2 a pine tree. The other half was above here and you could see where flood waters had twisted it in two. The top 1/2 was caught fast on another tree. The part down here was wrenched off by the water.

  • Rock house

    Rock house

  • plunge pool and icicles

    plunge pool and icicles

  • Plunge pool below falls

    Plunge pool below falls

  • 4th cascade was about 30 ft high.

    4th cascade was about 30 ft high.

  • 4th cascade

    4th cascade

  • Side of the 4th cascade--see that square boulder?

    Side of the 4th cascade--see that square boulder?

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    Many rapids and cascades
    First pretty cascade
    Close up of first cascade