Steels Creek Waterfalls

Sunday morning, we checked out of the hotel and headed towards Jonas Ridge on NC-181. Turning on FSR-228, we drove down the gravel forest road to the trailhead for Steels Creek. After getting our stuff together, we set off on Steels Creek Trail (#237). Since we were planning on doing some creek walking, we hiked in water shoes today. In about a half-mile, we came to the first crossing. Although the water level was a little low, it was just easier to wade than try to find a spot to rock hop. Across the creek, we picked up the Mountains-to-Sea Trail and hiked eastbound following Steels Creek upstream. In about a half-mile we came to the short, but steep side path that leads to a view of Steels Creek Falls. Using a rope, we were able to safely scramble out on the big rock for a couple of pictures of the waterfall and then headed back up to the trail.

We continued on the MST for less than another half-mile and then got off the trail near a campsite and started creek walking upstream. It was less than a quarter-mile and mostly easy creek walking to the base of Beverly Hillbilly Falls. As we approached the falls, some huge boulders blocked our view. The most challenging part of the hike was scrambling up to the top of the boulders.

From here it was a great view of the waterfall. After some pictures, we headed back. At the MST, we turned right and continued up the trail past the campsite and then a steep climb up a ridge on some switchbacks. Near the top, we could see Beverly Hillbilly Falls through the trees. We continued a short ways further on MST and scrambled down to the upper section of Teacups Falls.

Similar to Steels Creek Falls, this waterfall tumbles down through some short drops around rocks covered in potholes, then a long slide down to a deep pool. We could only see the upper cascades and potholes from this part, so we found another path to the base. This path had a lot of briers so we had to be careful getting down. At the base, we could see the lower slide, but not the upper part with the cascades and potholes.

Looking downstream from here, there were some cool cliffs and enormous boulders on the creek before the top of Beverly Hillbilly Falls.

Back at the MST, we started heading back. We continued past the first crossing of Steels Creek to where the MST crosses Buck Creek. The new NC Waterfalls book indicates several waterfalls upstream, but there’s no trail, so we had to creek walk. It was a slow-going creek walk as there were a lot of downed trees and rhododendrons making the wade difficult. Although the book said the first waterfall was close to the MST, it was a little further than I expected. We went a total of about 0.4 miles and still hadn’t reached it, so we gave up and turned back. As we made the last crossing back over Steels Creek, I spotted a little toad right along the creek.

After a picture, we crossed and headed back to the trailhead. Back at the car, we started driving home, making a stop in Morganton for dinner at Las Salsas.