Waterfall Hero Hikes: Upper Scotsman Falls (Chattooga)

Upper Scotsman Falls is a smaller waterfall just a little ways upstream of the more well known Scotsman Falls downstream. The waterfall is located in the Nantahala Ranger District of Nantahala National Forest just inside the Ellicott Rock Wilderness.

Hike Length: < 0.1 miles
Estimated Time: < 1 hour
Difficulty: Difficult
Location: Ellicott Rock Wilderness (Nantahala Ranger District of Nantahala National Forest)
Trail Users: Hiking only
Dogs: Yes, but its not a dog-friendly hike
Features: Waterfalls (1)
Crowds: Low
Warnings: There is no trail and the route is very steep and overgrown. The rocks around the waterfalls are very slippery.
Trailhead GPS: 35.01826,-83.11275
Waterfall GPS: 35.01838,-83.11237

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. This road starts paved and then turns to gravel and becomes Forest Service Road 1178. The pull-off for the waterfall trailhead is 4.2 miles from the turn off NC-107. When you're approaching the trailhead, the road will make a sharp switchback turn to the left and cross over Scotsman Creek. Just after, you'll pass the heavily overgrown Forest Road 4564 on the right. Park here without blocking the road.

Map:

Hike Description:

The waterfall is visible and can be heard from Bull Pen Road at FR-4564. There's no path down to the river and its very steep and overgrown with rhododendron and dog hobble. Once you leave the road, you enter the wilderness. You'll want to bushwhack slightly downstream of the falls to come out at the base. It's only 100 feet or so.