Waterfall Hero Hikes: Hunt Fish Falls (Wilson Creek)

Hunt Fish Falls is a 10-foot waterfall in two sections on Lost Cove Creek in Avery County, North Carolina. Flowing into the pool at the base is Hunt Fish Sidekick Falls, a 50-foot waterfall on a small tributary. The waterfalls are located in the Wilson Creek area of Pisgah National Forest.

Hike Length: 1.6 miles
Estimated Time: 1 to 2 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Location: Wilson Creek (Grandfather Ranger District of Pisgah National Forest)
Trail Users: Hiking only
Dogs: Yes
Features: Waterfalls (2)
Crowds: High
Warnings: The rocks around waterfalls are slippery.
Trailhead GPS: 36.00755,-81.80102
Waterfall GPS: 36.01394,-81.80431 (Hunt Fish Falls), 36.01361,-81.80396 (Sidekick Falls)

Directions:

From Boone, head south on NC-105 for about 17 miles to Linville. Turn right on US-221 south and then left to stay on the highway in 0.6 miles. Go 2.9 miles and turn left on NC-181 south. In 2.6 miles, turn left on Pittman Gap Road then turn left on Mortimer Road in 0.8 miles. Go half a mile and bear right onto gravel FR-464 and follow for 6.3 miles to a small parking area on the left at the trailhead for Hunt Fish Falls Trail.

Map:

Hike Description:

From the parking, pick up Hunt Fish Falls Trail (#263), which is also part of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail (#440). About half-way it picks up a small creek and follows it down towards Lost Cove Creek. At 0.7 miles, there are a couple switchbacks. At the sharp left-hand turn, there are some cliffs along the trail and an obvious path leads along the cliffs to a view of Hunt Fish Sidekick Falls.

Hunt Fish Falls Trail ends shortly after the cliffs at Lost Cove Trail (#262). Turn right and cross the base of Hunt Fish Sidekick Falls.

From here, go down the rock face to view Hunt Fish Falls.

The rocks around the falls are a popular place for sunbathing and picnicking and there are several primitive campsites around the falls. The big pool at the base makes an excellent swimhole. Here's a video of the falls.