Hike Length: 4.8 miles
Estimated Time: 3 to 4 hours
Difficulty: Very Difficult
Location: Ellicott Rock Wilderness (Nantahala Ranger District of Nantahala National Forest)
Trail Users: Hiking only
Dogs: Yes
Features: Waterfalls (1)
Crowds: Low
Warnings: The bushwhack to the falls is extremely steep through dense rhododendron. The rocks around the waterfalls are very slippery.
Trailhead GPS: 35.02354,-83.09501
Waterfall GPS: 35.00399,-83.10561
Directions:
To visit the falls, head south on NC-107 from the intersection of US-64 in Cashiers. In 6.9, turn right on Bull Pen Road. Drive 2.6 miles to a pull-off on the right side of the road just before the bridge over Fowler Creek. This road starts paved and then turns to gravel before the trailhead.
Map:
Hike Description:
Pick up Ellicott Rock Trail (#431) across Bull Pen Road. The trail crosses a couple tributaries and then gradually climbs up a ridge and then descends back down. At 2.3 miles from the trailhead, the trail makes the second left-hand switchback. At this point, get off the trail and bushwhack down towards the creek. The route has very thick rhodoendron, is extremely steep and hard to follow. About half way down, it opens up a little bit and becomes easier to follow but still very steep. The very last section is almost straight down along loose rocks and comes to the creek just below the waterfall.
Climb around on the rocks to get a good view of the main drop.
Here's a video of the falls.
Blog Entries:
30-May-2021: Fowler Creek Falls
No comments:
Post a Comment