Rock Creek Falls

Headed out today for Rock Creek Falls located at Rock Creek Recreation Area near Erwin, Tennessee.  This was a 4.5 mile hike with a pretty decent climb and 4 creek crossings.  So we knew we had been on a hike. LOL!  We had not hiked for a couple of months due the the unusually oppressive heat and humidity.  We selected this hike due to it being shaded and more easily tolerated in the heat.  We met at our usual time and place.  Dot at 8:00 and were on the trail by 9:40.  The first half mile was an easy gravel path.  We then approached a nice, new bridge, which we all thought we needed to cross.  Fortunately I remembered something about not crossing that new bridge and bearing right, which we did, and then saw the poorly placed sign for Rock Creek Trail.  The trail then narrowed and became more rocky.  We basically followed and crossed the creek up the gorge which was filled with masses of rhododendron.  We wondered how amazing this hike would be when they were blooming.  The trail got a little steeper and we finally reached the huge rock cliff that is the setting for Rock Creek Falls, which is a 60 ft., two tiered fall.  It was very pretty with the sun glistening at the top.  We sat down on rocks or logs and had lunch just below the pool of the falls.  We talked to several other folks that had hiked up and exchanged trail and hike info.  We headed back out after some photo taking and were back to the parking area in early afternoon.

Rock Creek Falls

First Creek Crossing