Debord Falls - Panther Branch Trail - Frozen Head State Park

In early September 2020, we took a short drive to Frozen Head State Park near Wartburg, Tennessee. We hiked part of the Panther Branch Trail up to Debord Falls. The trailhead and paved parking are at the end of Flat Fork Road. The trail is an old road with a rock and dirt surface. Approximately 0.6 miles up the trail, a short, signed side-trail branches to the right to an overlook and stairs down to the falls. I've posted about the falls in April 2016 and again in April 2017.

Turnaround and parking at the end of Flat Fork Road

Trailhead information kiosk

Bridge over North Prong Flat Fork

North Prong Flat Fork

Typical trail conditions

A downed tree becomes a makeshift bench

Wide and seemingly deserted

A muddy section

Still pool in North Prong Flat Fork

A downed tree has been cut out of the way

Bridge over an unnamed stream

Trail junction for the falls

Approaching the overlook

View from the overlook

A closer view of Debord Falls

Side view from the end of the trail

Straight on

We had the place to ourselves

 

A final look

There is no entrance fee at Frozen Head State Park or any Tennessee state park.

The park website is https://tnstateparks.com/parks/frozen-head.

Spring Wildflowers - Frozen Head State Park & Natural Area

This is the third and final part of our mid-April 2017 visit to Frozen Head State Park & Natural Area. We hiked the Panther Branch Trail to Debord Falls and then walked up the Emory Gap Trail to Emory Gap Falls. Along the way, we saw lots of spring wildflowers.

I've posted about the two waterfalls on previous visits in March 2013 and April 2016. The more recent post included a topographic map and additional details of the hike on Panther Branch Trail and Emory Gap Trail.

To reduce the length of this post, I've split the hike into three parts this year: Debord Falls, Emory Gap Falls, and Spring Wildflowers.

Our April 2017 hike to Debord Falls can be found here and Emory Gap Falls can be found here.

Eastern tiger swallowtail butterfly (Papilio glaucus) on a Dogwood (Cornus florida)

Wild Geranium (Germanium maculatum)

Dwarf Crested Iris (Iris cristata)

Common Blue Violet (Viola sororia)

Speckled Wood Lily (Clintonia umbellulata)

Rue-anemone (Thalictrum thalictroides)

Blue Phlox (Phlox divaricata)

More Wild Germanium

More Blue Phlox

Wake Robin (Trillium erectum)

Another group of Dwarf Crested Iris

White Trillim (Trillium grandiflorum)

Pink Trillium (Trillium grandiflorum forma roseum)

Another Wake Robin

Even more Dwarf Crested Iris

Large-flowered Bellwort (Uvularia grandiflora)

Another White Trillium

An aging White Trillium has begun to turn pink on the edges

Entry to Frozen Head State Park is free.

The park website is http://tnstateparks.com/parks/about/frozen-head.

Emory Gap Falls - Frozen Head State Park

In mid-April 2017, we returned to Frozen Head State Park & Natural Area to hike the Panther Branch Trail to Debord Falls and then up the Emory Gap Trail to Emory Gap Falls. Along the way, we saw lots of spring wildflowers. I've posted about the two waterfalls on previous visits in March 2013 and April 2016. The more recent post included a topographic map and additional details of the hike on Panther Branch Trail and Emory Gap Trail. To reduce the length of this post, I've split the hike into three parts this year: Debord Falls, Emory Gap Falls, and Spring Wildflowers.

The first part of the hike to Debord Falls can be found here. This part continues the hike from Debord Falls to Emory Gap Falls.

North Prong Flat Fork above Debord Falls

Common Five-lined Skink (Plestiodon fasciatus)

Panther Branch Trail turns right while Emory Gap Trail continues upstream to the left

Small cascade below the falls

Several hikers gather at the falls

Emory Gap Falls

Emory Gap Branch hits the rocks

Emory Gap Falls and pool

The falls from across the creek

A bit of patience leads to a solitary experience

Entry to Frozen Head State Park is free.

The park website is http://tnstateparks.com/parks/about/frozen-head.