Thorps Creek Falls (Wilson Creek)

Thorps Creek Falls is a 20-foot waterfall on its namesake in Caldwell County, North Carolina.  The waterfall is located in the Wilson Creek area of Pisgah National Forest.

Hike Length: 0.4 miles
Estimated Time: < 1 hour
Difficulty: Easy
Location: Wilson Creek (Grandfather Ranger District of Pisgah National Forest)
Trail Users: Hiking only
Dogs: Yes
Features: Waterfalls (1)
Crowds: Moderate
Warnings: The rocks around waterfalls are slippery.
Trailhead GPS: 35.99522,-81.76087
Waterfall GPS: 35.99740,-81.75901

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 8.6  miles and turn right on gravel NC-90.  Immediately, turn right into Mortimer Campground and drive to the back for the trailhead for Thorps Creek Trail.  If the campground is closed, park at the picnic area and walk through the campground.

Map:

Hike Description:

Pick up the Thorps Creek Trail (#279) that starts at the end of the campground.  It follows Thorps Creek upstream less than a quarter mile to the waterfall.

I believe the trail has be decommissioned past the waterfall.  Here is a video of the falls.

Blog Entries:

19-Feb-2023: Wilson Creek Waterfalls

31-Aug-2014: South Harper Creek Falls

External Links:

US Forest Service website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/nfsnc/recreation/recarea/?recid=49074