The Cherokee National Forest has two Rock Creeks, about 5
miles from each other. This trail goes to the
Rock Creek Gorge Scenic Area where the waterfall pictured is located.
The Scenic Spur Trail is about a 3.4 mile roundtrip hike, easy, but has
two stream crossings that can be quite deep. The trail head is
on TN 30 about 100 yds north of US 64.
This little known trail is in the Little Frog Wilderness of the Cherokee National Forrest.
It starts, however, in a wellknown area. The trailhead is off an old paved road across Highway 64
from the Ocoee Whitewater Visitor's Center. The trail is 5.5 miles long
but ends at an intersection with the Dry Pond Lead trail about 2 miles from
the nearest road, Highway 64. Therefore you must turn left onto the Dry Pond Lead
trail to make a total 7.5 miles hiked. There is a 2.7 mile car shuttle back
to where you started. The Dry Pond Lead trailhead is directly across 64
from Ocoee Powerhouse # 3. This is a wilderness trail and is overgrown in places
and has several blowdowns, but the waterfall is worth the effort.
This trail is a part of the North Chickamauga Pocket Wilderness owned and maintained by Bowater Corporation. It is known as the Stevenson Trail and is an extremely interesting and senic trail with many fine views and points of interest including abandoned coal mines. Like any area where there are cliffs and abandoned mines a certain amount of caution is necessary. North Chickamauga Creek flows through the Gorge and is very beautiful with a number of interesting waterfalls and cascades. The name "Chickamauga" means "dwelling Place of the Chief" in the Creek Indian language. This is an easy to moderate hike for a total of 8 miles. There are also opportunities for camping here. The parking area for the North Chickamauga Pocket Wilderness is off Montlake Road in Soddy Daisy.
More information can be obtained from Bowater Community Relations, 5020 Highway South, Calhoun, TN 37309-5249