Phillips Branch Falls (Wilson Creek)

Phillips Branch Falls is a 40-foot waterfall on its namesake, a tributary of Wilson Creek, in Caldwell County, North Carolina.  The waterfall is located in the Wilson Creek area of Pisgah National Forest.

Hike Length: 1.0 miles
Estimated Time: 1 hour
Difficulty: Moderate
Location: Wilson Creek (Grandfather Ranger District of Pisgah National Forest)
Trail Users: Hiking only
Dogs: Yes
Features: Waterfalls (1)
Crowds: Low
Warnings: The rocks around waterfalls are slippery.  The scramble path down to the falls is steep.
Trailhead GPS: 35.97285,-81.76556 
Waterfall GPS: 35.96856,-81.77135

Directions:


From Morganton, head north on NC-181 for about 12 miles and turn right into the Brown Mountain Beach Road.  Drive 5.1 miles and turn right to stay on Brown Mountain Beach Road, which changes to gravel.  Go 6.7 miles to a bridge over Harper Creek and pull-off on the left just after the bridge.  Only park in designated spaces or your vehicle may be towed.

Map:



Hike Description:


Walk across the bridge and pick up Phillips Branch Trail (#252) that heads up parallel to the road then turns right to follow Phillips Branch upstream.  In just under half a mile, there is a nice winter view of falls from the trail.


Continue a short ways and look for a steep scramble path down to the base.  The upper portion is not visible from here.


Here's a video of the falls.


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