Hike Length: 3.6 miles
Estimated Time: 2 to 3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Location: Cascades Day Use Area (Eastern Divide Ranger District of Jefferson National Forest)
Trail Users: Hiking only
Dogs: Yes
Features: Waterfalls (1)
Crowds: High
Warnings: The rocks around waterfalls are very slippery.
Trailhead GPS: 37.35301,-80.59984
Waterfall GPS: 37.36792,-80.57519
Directions:
From Blacksburg, take US-460 west for 13 miles to Pembroke and turn right on Cascades Drive (SR 623) and follow to the parking area at the end. There is a small day-use fee per vehicle to access the area, payable at a self-serve kiosk at the parking area.
Map:
Hike Description:
Pick up the Cascades Trail (#70) past the restrooms. In 0.2 miles, the trail comes to a split. It's a loop so you can go either way, but the lower trail is more scenic so turn right and cross the creek on a footbridge. The lower portion of the trail follows Little Stony Creek closely and passes a number of scenic little cascades.
At about 1 mile, the trail crosses back over to river right side on another footbridge. A connector leading to the upper trail is here, but go right and stay close to the creek. At about 1.7 miles, you can start to see the falls.
The trail leads to a viewing platform before climbing up to the upper trail. It's a very scenic waterfall and pretty easy to access.
It's quite beautiful in winter when the waterfall starts to freeze.
Here's a video of the falls.
Blog Entries:
26-Dec-2022: Icy Cascades
27-Sep-2015: The Cascades
26-Jan-2014: Frozen Cascades
External Links:
US Forest Service website: http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/gwj/recarea/?recid=73639
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