Hike Length: 3.0 miles
Estimated Time: 2 to 3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Location: Seng Mountain National Scenic Area (Mount Rogers National Recreation Area in Jefferson National Forest)
Trail Users: Hiking, biking
Dogs: Yes
Features: Waterfalls (1)
Crowds: Low
Warnings: The rocks around the waterfall are very slippery. There are multiple water crossings along the trail that may be difficult in high water. You will have to wade at the base to get a good view of the falls.
Trailhead GPS: 36.73467,-81.56261
Waterfall GPS: 36.71796,-81.56298
Directions:
From Marion, head south on Church Street, which changes to Scratch Gravel Road after passing under I-81. Drive 5 miles on Scratch Gravel Road and turn left on Thomas Bridge Road. Go 0.8 miles and turn right on South Fork Road and then left on Stone Battery Road after 0.4 miles. Continue 1.9 miles and turn right on Rowlands Creek Lane, which becomes gravel Forest Road 643. Go a total of 0.7 miles and pull off on the right at the trailhead. Parking is very limited. If the gate is closed, park without blocking the gate and walk a few hundred feet up the road to the trailhead.
Map:
Hike Description:
Pick up the orange-blazed Rowlands Creek Trail (#164). There is a creek crossing at 1/4 mile and another at about 1.1 miles, which may require wading if the water is up.
After the second crossing, the trail climbs up above the creek via a switchback. At 1.5 miles, the trail passes the waterfall. An obvious path leads from the top down to the base, but it is very steep. To get a good view of the falls, I had to then wade the creek.
Here's a video of the falls.
Blog Entries:
08-Apr-2023: Rowland Creek Falls
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