It Was Worth The Wade To Upper Bailey Falls

In the heat and humid of late Summer, it is hard to go hiking sometimes. When I do I try to either go high elevation or to a waterfall. One of my favorites is going to Margarette Falls.

Pete and I have done this hike here many times because it is a good distance (three miles roundtrip) to one of Northeast Tennessee's best waterfalls. It also makes a great outing if you get a late start, which I did.

The other thing is that other waterfalls can be enjoyed. There are a lot more waterfalls up this trail so it is just a good day hike. I have described the hike up to Margarette Falls many times (here was the lattes). However today I was going beyond Margarette and up to Bailey Falls. Which just as well as there was a family with little super spreading mouthbreathers playing in the water (Wood Booger note: I seem too have offended some with this comment about the kids playing at the waterfall. While technically correct I have no proof that any of the children had COVID-19 or any other disease. So, the phrasing might have been a bit harsh. I apologize to those who were offended...they were sweet children having a good time).

Now I have been up above Margarette Falls before, last September to be exact. The trip to Bailey Falls is a steep climb up to what I call the wall. You can climb it or take a little more time and go up to a spot above it. Then it is a short hike before you cross Dry Creek and have to cross again After crossing you will come to a junction where you go left past Glen Falls. Then it is a tough slog up to Bailey Falls. To keep your feet dry will have you climbing slick rocks. Even though Bailey Falls is a nice cascade I wasn't here just to see this 20-foot beauty. No, I have read that there was another waterfall above this Bailey Falls.

Now it is not easy getting up here. You have to first go left up to some slick rocks and then scrambling under some rhododendrons before reaching the spot where you go down. If you guessed it was slick rocks, you would be right. This brings you to the top of the Lower Bailey Falls. In front of you at the back of the small canyon is Upper Bailey Falls  Inbetween you is a big pool, larger a by the looks of it deeper than the one below.

Now I had read that you needed to wade here and I brought water shoes in case I did. But the water levels weren't bad and I had heard the same thing about the lower falls, so I went up without my pack and water shoes. However, what I found was a nice pool of water and one spot I might have been able to cross to get close to the upper falls. But it was really narrow and over slick rocks. I figured there was a better chance that I would slip off in the water, so I decided it was better to just wade. It was deeper than I thought up to my crotch which means it was way over my boots. It was cold, but with how hot it had been during the day it actually felt really good. Pete even got a little wet.

But the bit of struggle was well worth it. This is a 30-foot cascade that plunges through the narrow canyon it was beautiful, impressive waterfall. When I got up to the falls I notice on the right was a rope that goes up I am guessing to the top of the falls. Who knows there might be a manway that goes on up. It is here that one has to make a smart decision. This rope went up a straight slick rock face, so I could try and climb and make it up to see where it goes. Or slip and fall off and maybe break something and it might be sometime before I drug myself out or I was found. I decided with just me and Peter I shouldn't climb up. I mean he complains about carrying me what would he say if he had to drag me out.

Once I enjoying the falls and wading back I headed down. Remember if you come up to a place like this it is just as important to be careful going back. I did have one advantage I didn't have to worry about getting my feet wet. Once back at Margarette Falls all the time I spent above gave time for the crowds to thin out and I had the cascade to myself...nice!