Rock Creek Falls: Difference between revisions

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<!-- The following few lines create the "Infobox" table template.
{{Trail
|Trail Highlight=An easy short trail to a remote and beautiful waterfall
|Trail Number=FS #115
|Park=Rock Creek Recreation Area
|Land Owner=Cherokee National Forest
|Trail Marking=Blue
|Trail Use=Hiking, Camping, Hunting
|Trail Features=Waterfalls
|Difficulty Rating=Easy
|Hike Time=4 hrs
|Trail Distance=1.52 mi
|Round Trip Distance=3.04 mi
|Trail Type=In-and-Out
|High Point=3,263 ft
|Low Point=
|Elevation Gain=
|Elevation Loss=
|Elevation Change Direction=West-to-East
|Parking location=36.1384,-82.3499
|Trailhead location=36.13903,-82.34398
}}
{{Trail Map}}


-->{{Infobox Trail
__TOC__
| Image Name = Rock_Creek_Falls.jpg
| Trail Number = 148
| Park = Rock Creek Recreation Area
| Land Owner = Cherokee National Forest
| Wilderness Area = Unaka Wilderness Area
| City = Erwin
| State = Tennessee
| Marking = Blue
| Trail Use = {{Hike}}{{Dogs}}{{Waterfall}}
| Difficulty Rating = Medium
| Hike Time = 4 hrs
| Round Trip Distance = 3.04 mi
| Trail Distance = 1.52 mi
| Trail Type = In-and-Out
| Elevation Gain = 912 ft
| Elevation Loss = -912 ft
| Low Point =
| Elevation Change =
| High Point = 3,263 ft
| Parking coords = 36.1384,-82.3499
| Trailhead coords = 36.13903,-82.34398
| Medical = Erwin, TN
}}<!--


End Infobox template table
-->{{Trail page needs
| Hide needs =
| KML =
| Updated KML =
| Detail route description = Yes
| Photos =
| Winter photos =
| Remove prefix =
| Update infobox =
| Infobox data update = Yes
| Trail pins =
| Other =
| Comment = Add tabular details to route description, Change to "park" and connected trails?
| Date reviewed = 12/24/2016
}}<!--
Start of Main Page -->
== Trail Overview ==
== Trail Overview ==
<!-- Enter a overview of the trail. What attracts you to this trail, points of interest, types of flowers, lakes, and peaks that you see along the way. -->
Accessed from [[Rock Creek Recreation Area]]. Parking fees apply. See park page for details.
Located in Unaka Mtn. Wilderness of the Cherokee National Forest, hike to a pair of cascading waterfalls with several stream crossings.


== How to get there ==
== How to get there ==
<!-- Please enter detailed instruction on how to find the trail head. -->
From Erwin, TN
From Erwin, TN
#Take Exit 36 off I-26.
#Take Exit 36 off I-26.
Line 62: Line 39:


== Route Description==
== Route Description==
<!-- Detailed description of the route. Is there any side trails that are worth traveling? -->
Walk the paved road through campground or alternately take the new bypass trail around.  The trailhead is behind the tent camping area.  Forest Service Trail #148 Rock Creek Falls follows the Rock Creek as it winds up the hollow. Do not cross either the bridge at the trailhead nor the one shortly up the trail as these are for a mountain bike loop.  Just past the second bridge, you'll see signs for entering the Unaka Wilderness area.  You'll pass several smaller falls and cascades on the way to the main falls located in a secluded, rocky amphitheater.
Walk the paved road through campground or alternately take the new bypass trail around.  The trailhead is behind the tent camping area.  Forest Service Trail #148 Rock Creek Falls follows the Rock Creek as it winds up the hollow. Do not cross either the bridge at the trailhead nor the one shortly up the trail as these are for a mountain bike loop.  Just past the second bridge, you'll see signs for entering the Unaka Wilderness area.  You'll pass several smaller falls and cascades on the way to the main falls located in a secluded, rocky amphitheater.


== Typical Conditions ==
== Typical Conditions ==
<!-- Typical conditions throughout the year of what to expect on the trail. Rocky, muddy, sandy, flowers, lots of downed trees?  -->
The blue blazed trail can be narrow, rough, and steep as work your way up Rock Creek.  There are four creek crossings which were easily "rock hopped" as folks have been placing stepping stones.  Otherwise, recommend bringing water shoes to protect feet on the possibly slippery rocks.  It will take a couple of hours to hike up the trail depending upon how quickly you can cross the creek - and stops to observe the mountain hollow and cascading stream.
The blue blazed trail can be narrow, rough, and steep as work your way up Rock Creek.  There are four creek crossings which were easily "rock hopped" as folks have been placing stepping stones.  Otherwise, recommend bringing water shoes to protect feet on the possibly slippery rocks.  It will take a couple of hours to hike up the trail depending upon how quickly you can cross the creek - and stops to observe the mountain hollow and cascading stream.


==Fees, Permits, etc. ==
==Fees, Permits, etc. ==
<!-- Please list any Fees, Permits, Regulations, etc. that may be required on this trail.-->
Rock Creek Campground is open May 1 through November 1.  Campground gates are closed from 10 PM until 7 AM.  If closed, then add a mile to hike in from the main gate.  Day use area fee is $2 per car. Permit must be visibly displayed in vehicle.  Wilderness designated area, thus group size is limited to 14 people.  Dogs are allowed, but must remain on a 6 ft or shorter leash.
Rock Creek Campground is open May 1 through November 1.  Campground gates are closed from 10 PM until 7 AM.  If closed, then add a mile to hike in from the main gate.  Day use area fee is $2 per car. Permit must be visibly displayed in vehicle.  Wilderness designated area, thus group size is limited to 14 people.  Dogs are allowed, but must remain on a 6 ft or shorter leash.
For more information, see Forest Service webpages for the [https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/cherokee/recreation/recarea/?recid=34978&actid=29 recreation area] and [https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/cherokee/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=34988&actid=50 trail].
== After the Hike ==
<!-- Other things to check out while you're in the area. Restaurants, attractions, monuments, etc... -->
During summer months, consider taking a dip in the ice cold swimming pool.  Refreshing!


== Misc. Information ==
== Misc. Information ==
<!-- Enter any additional information that doesn't fit an any other fields. -->
Trail distance on the kiosk says 2.5 miles, but only 1.52 miles measured.
Trail distance on the kiosk says 2.5 miles, but only 1.52 miles measured.
== Maps ==
<!-- You can place pictures, PDF's, links, or even create a Google map with your waypoints and place it here. -->
<display_map center="36.137,-82.344" type="terrain" zoom="14" width="auto" height="550" scale="yes" gkml="http://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/Rock_Creek_Falls_Trail.kml">
36.1384,-82.3499~Parking~ ~MarkerA.png
36.13903,-82.34398~Trailhead~ ~MarkerG.png
36.12722,-82.32295~Upper Falls~[[File:Rock_Creek_Falls.jpg|150px|Upper Rock Creek Falls]]~MarkerC.png
</display_map>


== Photos ==
== Photos ==
<gallery>
{{Park trail gallery|Trail={{PAGENAME}}}}
<!-- Place any pictures from this trail below.  Add a picture by typing Image:imagename.extension  -->
Image:Rock_Creek_Falls.jpg|Upper Rock Creek Falls
Image:Rattlesnake Ridge Trailhead.jpg|Trailhead also with Rattlesnake Ridge
Image:RockCreekFalls.jpg|Frozen Falls
<!-- Do not remove the end gallery code.-->
</gallery>


<!-- Finally add the trail to any Categories it should belong to. Keep in mind categories are case sensitive. -->
{{Map Marker|Icon Type=Parking|Marker Title=Parking|Marker Description= |Marker Location=36.1384,-82.3499}}
[[Category:Tennessee]] [[Category:Waterfalls]] [[Category:Medium]]
{{Map Marker|Icon Type=Point of interest|Marker Title=Trailhead|Marker Description= |Marker Location=36.13903,-82.34398}}
{{Map Marker|Icon Type=Waterfall|Marker Title=Upper Falls|Marker Description=[[File:Rock_Creek_Falls.jpg|150px|Upper Rock Creek Falls]]|Marker Location=36.12722,-82.32295}}

Revision as of 10:21, 19 September 2021

Rock Creek Falls

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Highlight An easy short trail to a remote and beautiful waterfall
Trail Number FS #115
Park Rock Creek Recreation Area
Land Owner Cherokee National Forest
Located Erwin, TennesseeLocation inherited from associated park
Trail Marking Blue
Trail UseThings allowed to do on or near the trail

HikingCampingHunting

FeaturesThings to see on or near the trail

Waterfalls

Difficulty Rating Easy
Hiking TimeTime from car and back. Includes any time hiking to access this trail. 4 hrs0.25 Days <br />240 Min <br /> round trip
Distance: 1.52 mi2.446 km <br /> trailStrict non-repeating trail length / 3.04 mi4.892 km <br /> round tripTypical or shortest length from the car, hike the trail, and return to car
Trail Type In-and-Out
High Point 3,263 ft1,087.667 Yards <br />994.562 Meters <br />
Elev. Gain/LossSee link for details of calculation. Gain/Loss is direction dependent. / () – West-to-East
Trip ReportsFrom user "hiked it" submissions<br />Recent is within last 90 days No hikes logged yet
NearbyWithin 5 mi<br />Click link to view list 2 trails / 15.3 mi of trail
Parking 36° 8' 18.24" N, 82° 20' 59.64" W Map
Trailhead 36° 8' 20.51" N, 82° 20' 38.33" W Map
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Trail Overview

Accessed from Rock Creek Recreation Area. Parking fees apply. See park page for details.

How to get there

From Erwin, TN

  1. Take Exit 36 off I-26.
  2. Turn left on unnamed road across the interstate to intersection with Tenn. 107 in Erwin.
  3. Turn right on Tenn. 107 for about a mile.
  4. Turn left on Tenn. 395 (USFS sign to Beauty Spot).
  5. Proceed 3.2 miles.
  6. Turn left into the USFS Rock Creek Recreation Area.
  7. Park near restrooms at Picnic Area.

Same as for Rattlesnake Ridge Trail

Route Description

Walk the paved road through campground or alternately take the new bypass trail around. The trailhead is behind the tent camping area. Forest Service Trail #148 Rock Creek Falls follows the Rock Creek as it winds up the hollow. Do not cross either the bridge at the trailhead nor the one shortly up the trail as these are for a mountain bike loop. Just past the second bridge, you'll see signs for entering the Unaka Wilderness area. You'll pass several smaller falls and cascades on the way to the main falls located in a secluded, rocky amphitheater.

Typical Conditions

The blue blazed trail can be narrow, rough, and steep as work your way up Rock Creek. There are four creek crossings which were easily "rock hopped" as folks have been placing stepping stones. Otherwise, recommend bringing water shoes to protect feet on the possibly slippery rocks. It will take a couple of hours to hike up the trail depending upon how quickly you can cross the creek - and stops to observe the mountain hollow and cascading stream.

Fees, Permits, etc.

Rock Creek Campground is open May 1 through November 1. Campground gates are closed from 10 PM until 7 AM. If closed, then add a mile to hike in from the main gate. Day use area fee is $2 per car. Permit must be visibly displayed in vehicle. Wilderness designated area, thus group size is limited to 14 people. Dogs are allowed, but must remain on a 6 ft or shorter leash.

Misc. Information

Trail distance on the kiosk says 2.5 miles, but only 1.52 miles measured.

Photos



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