Saturday it was back on the trail and leading another Sierra Club hike this time to Margarette Falls with a bonus trip up to Bailey Falls.
I have hiked to Margarette Falls many times in all seasons and kinds of weather, so doing a Sierra Club hike was a natural. My group for the day was made up of members of Care NET the Sierra Club Conservation Committee in Hawkins, Hancock and Grainger Counties. Including Pete and I there was 10 on the hike. Like I said I have done and written about this hike many times (best one), but it was good to introduce people to this beautiful trail. Let me start by saying there were no dog trucks at the trailhead so that was a good start. I showed this back in April, but there was some new signage at the trailhead, but someone put a cleaver mark on it.
The first half-mile is up the old road that was once used to drive to the trailhead. There is an easement here and the gate has been closed making this hike a mile longer. Eventually, the trail comes to the old parking area which is also the junction for Phillips Hollow Trail, but we went right on the Bullen Hollow/Margarette Falls Trails.
It isn't long before the trails split with Margarette Falls Trail going left. This first part is a steady uphill to the footbridge. However, once past the footbridge, it gets rocky, very rocky. This part slowed our group up a little, but remember slow and steady was our slogan for the day. I took Wendy and Rose down to get a good view of Midpoint Falls. After that, we passed Split Falls, rock hopped Dry Creek and went by the Shute. It wasn't long before we reached Cathedral Rock which meant we were almost there. Even with low water flow, everyone was impressed with the beauty of Margarette Falls. This 60-foot cascade is one of Northeast Tennessee's best.
Just about the time I was just about to head up the manway to Bailey Falls a couple showed up with their daughter and the mom stepped right on a yellowjacket nest. While the Dad protected his daughter I helped the mom get these little devils out of her hair...nasty little buggers!
I just want to put a disclaimer on the hike up to Bailey Falls. If you notice there is a sign at the trail board that says not to hike up above Margarette Falls. On the Greeneville Club site about this part of the hike it says while short (one-mile round trip) it is very strenuous and should only be attempted by experienced hikers. Other books also say continue at your own risk...
So, knowing this I went anyway...also Wendy and Rose followed me up. The first part of the trail is steep, I mean steep! After climbing a short distance you will be faced with a wall. You can climb it or go around it. Either way exercise caution. Once on top, you will go left and come to one of the first tops of the Margarette Falls spots. it gives the cascade a different view, but remember to be careful people have fallen off and died here. Follow the right bank of the West Fork of Dry Creek before crossing at a turn in the creek at some fallen trees. then you will cross the creek again before coming to two sets of waterfalls. You will want to take the left fork and head up doing a lot of rock scrambling, right when you think it might be time to turn around you will finally spot Bailey Falls.
It is a nice 20-foot waterfall. I will say that I read you would have to do some wading, but with the low water, I didn't. However, if it was like it was in Spring you would have too. So, if you are going to attempt this it is probably best in late Summer early Fall.
After almost losing Wendy and Rose, we headed back down the steep trail and to the rest of the group. After enjoying Margarette Falls one more time we headed back for the trailhead and the end of the hike.
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