I visited the Bald River Falls area again in early April, 2013. The Cherohala Skyway Visitor Center in Tellico Plains contains restrooms, a small theater, a gift shop and an information desk. Summer hours are 9 AM to 5 PM seven days per week. The friendly staff provides maps, road information, and information about other visitor opportunities in the general area. Whether you plan to drive, ride, hike, kayak, canoe, bird watch, camp, fish or hunt, the visitor center is the place to start. Hours and days are reduced in the winter, so plan accordingly.
The Cherohala Skyway (TN 165) follows the Tellico River upstream for a few miles before climbing up the mountains. Along this section are three paved overlooks that offer some great views.
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| Tellico River at Wildcat Overlook |
About five miles past the visitor center, turn right on US Forest Service Road 210, River Road, to continue to follow the Tellico River up to Bald River Falls. River Road is a paved two-lane road, but it has very few gravel pullouts and does not have shoulders or guard rails. As I've noted before, a large gravel pullout has been constructed just beyond the point where River Road crosses the Tellico River. This area is very scenic and not nearly as crowded as the area around the falls. After about six miles, River Road crosses the Bald River just below the falls. Visitors with mobility issues will have excellent views on the right side. A small paved parking area is provided just beyond the falls. A trail at the far end of the parking area provides access to the Bald River above the falls.
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| Tellico River upstream of River Road bridge |
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| Bald River Falls from the bridge |
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| Bald River Falls from the river |
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| Bald River Falls from below the bridge |
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| Start of trail |
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| First switchback |
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| New stairs ease descent back to the river |
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| Bald River Falls |
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| The trail continues upstream |
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| Upper cascades of Bald River Falls |
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| Falls above the cascades |
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| The Bald River seems to fall of the edge of the world |
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| Calm pool above the falls |
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| The trail climbs high above the Bald River |
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| Returning to the parking area provides a nice view of the road bridge |
The Cherohala Skyway website is http://www.cherohala.org/.
The Cherokee Forest website is http://www.fs.usda.gov/cherokee.