Cherokee Hiking Club
198 Crews Drive, Benton, TN 37307
Turtletown
Falls Dayhike
Saturday, November
20, 2010
Brief Description: First mile is an easy level warm up stroll alongside the creek. Then, we'll take the left fork. It becomes a foot trail
with some hill hugging and slight elevation changes with switchbacks that take the trail down to below the twin falls . Usually, the water coming off the falls cascades dramatically down both sides of the center rock. From there, we'll continue to the second set of falls and then, hike back out on the logging road. There should be great views of the Hiwassee from the higher rises on that road while the trees are still greening up. After looping back to the left fork we took to hike in, that easy mile stroll back to our cars will be a welcome cool down.
Bring a snack and enough water. Pets are always welcome.
Length: 3.7 miles
Difficulty Rating: Moderate to Easy, but there is a fair amount of elevation gain on the return trip to the car
Elevation Gain: maybe 500 feet on the return trip to the car
Hike Leader: Marc Bernatti
. Call me at 423 261-2573
Directions to the Trailhead: If coming through Tellico Plains on Hwy 68 meet at the Coker Creek Welcome Center/Post Office at 10 AM. If coming North on Hwy 68 from Ducktown, meet at the trailhead in Farner/Turtletown at 10:30 PM.
From Etowah (and points North), make your own arrangements to carpool or hook up at Hardee's in Etowah, Madisonville or Tellico Plains and head up the mountain South on Hwy 68 to the Coker Creek Welcome Center.
From Cleveland (or points South), the Ocoee Hardee's at Hwys 411 and 64 or in Ducktown on Hwy 64 are good points to hook up or to carpool. Take Hwy 68 North towards Madisonville/Tellico Plains. Approximately 15 miles North from Ducktown on Hwy 68, look for the
Farner Post Office on your left, turn left on Underwood Rd. After crossing the RR tracks, take Duggan Rd on your left. Bear left on Farner Rd. The Falls entrance is 3/4 miles on the right. Once you enter, keep driving. You'll cross a wet bridge and the parking lot will be just ahead.
Post Trip Report: Not counting the dogs out for a tag along Mutt Trek, this was an all Member hike. The day remained overcast and the temperature stayed just right for this hike. Surprisingly no other hikers were out on this trail Saturday. Like at Coker Creek, the FS has done a great job of fixing up the trail. The descent to the first Falls, the twins, was stepped with two foot pieces of 8x8s which made for solid footing and the new guard rail provided balance. This same new step construction was also in other places on the trail that had become deteriorated. Considerable side hill work was evident along the trail. Like the upper twins, the Lower Cascade Falls were flowing strong as well. Except for scrambling over and around a couple of blow downs across the trail, this was a comfortable hike for everyone.The return up along the ridge overlooking Hiawassee gorge provided an aerobic workout for everyone. With great hiking weather, a comfortable trail, great scenery, pleasant company and the brief workout, made for an enjoyable Saturday outing. Enjoying it were Brenda (w/Jake), Jane, Esther (w/Leather), Karen, Kathy (w/Rosie), and Marc (w/Essie).
Contact the Webmaster