American Byways

Following up from the last update regarding Husky Branch Falls at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, is a five-in-one waterfall special!

The first visit is to Mingo Falls, which is technically outside of the boundaries of the national park, but as it resides very close to the boundary, and presents one of the highest drops in the area, it is well worth hiking to. Lying within the Qualla Indian Reservation in Cherokee, Mingo Falls includes a cascading 150-foot high drop. At this point in the journey, the rain was coming down in a nice steady downpour, which made the 1/4-mile hike – which includes around 150 steps to the overlook – soggy.

Mingo Falls

After the visit to Mingo Falls, I wondered down to Asheville, North Carolina for the night at the wonderful Sweet Peas Hostel. The hostel, which is not only cheap, comfortable and clean, was located within walking distance of the Lexington Avenue Brewery and other attractions. Upon waking the next morning, I checked the weather forecast and figured that cloudy skies, a good chance of rain and low temperatures would result in some fantastic waterfall photography. So I headed west.

Located east of Cherokee, Soco Falls is a double waterfall located within the Cherokee Nation. The trail is 1/2-miles downhill to an observation platform, which provides good coverage southwest of the waterfall. A more crude trail continues further down, but it is not maintained nor sanctioned – and parts of it include a haphazard hand-hold, but it offers a closer and more personal view. On my visit, the waterfalls were shrouded in dense fog,

Soco Falls

But the fog did not last long. By the time I approached Bryson City to explore the Deep Creek valley, the sun was shining and the temperatures were rising into the upper 60s. Oh well, let’s get out and enjoy the good fortune of ideal hiking weather!

What was special about this hike is that the Deep Creek Valley is not only the base for many extended backpacking adventures – as the Deep Creek Trail is a main north-south feeder into the Great Smoky Mountains, but a base for many great day hikes. Combined into one loop trail, my Deep Creek Falls Loop is a 2.5-mile easy hike that provides access to Juney Whank Falls, Indian Creek Falls and Tom Branch Falls. The loop trail began at the wayfinder for Juney Whank Falls, and the first .1 mile of the walk was nothing more than a climb to the Deep Creek Horse Trail.

But I soon came upon Juney Whank Falls, a 125-foot cascade with a good 80-foot drop. The waterfall was named for Cherokee chief, Junaluska Whank who lived in the area. Junaluska was called by friends as Juney, and is rumored to have been buried near the waterfall.

Juney Whank Falls

It wasn’t much of a difficult hike to the next waterfall. The Deep Creek Horse Trail involves an easy grade to the top of a hill before descending towards Hammer Branch. Soon after crossing a small stream, the trail ends at Deep Creek Trail. Bear right onto the wide trail and turn left onto Indian Creek Trail, which is an earshot of Indian Creek Falls. Indian Creek Falls contains a 45-foot run and a 25-foot drop, and is nestled amongst rhododendron, making for a picturesque fall.

Indian Creek Falls

Heading back to the Deep Creek Trail, I proceeded southward, passing by Tom Branch Falls – which provides a nice 80-foot cascade down into Deep Creek. According to Waterfalls of the Smokies, Tom Branch was most likely named for Tom Wiggins, a Civil War Veteran who lived along the creek during the latter 1800s.

Tom Branch Falls

Trail information for the above waterfalls, along with trailhead location, can be found at the companion article Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Stay tuned for Fontana in the next update!

Husky Branch Falls is a relatively small waterfall, one that dips down from a mountain stream and cascades down a rockface into a pool in the Little River. Located within a dense cluster of rhododendron and southeast of Elkmont, Tennessee, a historic logging town, this 5.4-mile hike encompasses an easy loop that strolls through the abandoned town of Elkmont and along trails that ascertain spring mountain beauty. Elkmont was a pioneer Appalachian community, later becoming a logging town and resort. Today, the community remains only as an active campground, with abandoned residences the only testament to its past.

Elkmont, Tennessee along Jakes Creek Trail

Elkmont is clearly visible upon the approach the trailhead for the loop – at Jakes Creek Trail. Seemingly forgotten buildings are abound – adjacent to the campsite, parking areas and along the roadway. The 5.4-mile loop trail for Husky Branch Falls begins along the former Jakes Creek Road at the southernmost tip of the old logging town of Elkmont in the parking area. The roadway south of the parking area is closed to all but emergency vehicles, and passes by vacation cottages from years past – most having been closed for some odd 30 years. While some are being stabilized for preservation, others are in much worse condition and require substantial repair.

The temptation is there to explore, but all are marked with no trespassing signs. That is not usually a deterrent, but my goal was to reach the waterfall before the rain – in the forecast, but overcast skies lie above with a warm breeze. In the spring, expect to see a diverse collection of flora, some native, others not – especially along Jakes Creek Trail and Cucumber Gap. On this trip in, I counted at least six different wildflower species.

Wildflowers are in bloom in Elkmont.

At .6 miles into the hike at an old parking area, Jakes Creek Trail turns slightly eastward and up a moderate grade. Bear left onto Cucumber Gap Trail, which is a single track trail, and follow this through the hardwood forest as it climbs through the gap and down onto an old logging railroad. The 2.4 mile trail includes an easy grade littered with spring wildflowers that seemingly carpet the forest floor, but after passing the gap, the forest composition is made up of more hemlock stands and rhododendron. Soon after, Cucumber Gap passes through Husky Branch which involves scrambling over some boulders – a tricky feat if the water level is high. Hope you don’t mind getting a bit wet!

At its end, Cucumber Gap intersects the Little River Trail, which includes a nice wooden seating area. Bear left onto what looks like a roadway – the Little River Trail.

The Little River Trail, in contrast to the Cucumber Gap Trail, is flat and wide, and I passed by numerous individuals from Elkmont taking a quiet stroll along the equally wide waterway that paralleled the trail. The path is partially graveled and was an old rail-bed at one point. Passing over Husky Branch, view left and spot Husky Branch Falls, which scrambles down a rockface to a deep pool in the Little River. From there, it is a 20 minute hike – at a good pace, to the Elkmont access road where the trail ends.

Husky Branch Falls

Elkmont is located west of the Sugarlands Visitor Center along Tennessee State Route 73/Little River Road. Check out Great Smoky Mountains National Park for additional photos from the Husky Branch loop, and watch for more updates in the coming days from North Carolina!