Geology

The falls is located at the base of Mount Mitchell

Mount Mitchell

Mount Mitchell can refer to:* Mount Mitchell, the highest point in the eastern United States* Mount Mitchell , in Jasper National Park of Canada* Mount Mitchell * Mount Mitchell , in Queensland...

, the tallest mountain in the United States east of the Mississippi River

Mississippi River

The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...

, on Setrock Creek, a small tributary

Tributary

A tributary or affluent is a stream or river that flows into a main stem river or a lake. A tributary does not flow directly into a sea or ocean...

 of the South Toe River

South Toe River

The South Toe River , is a stream in Yancey County...

, which itself is a tributary of the French Broad River

French Broad River

The French Broad River flows from near the village of Rosman in Transylvania County, North Carolina, into the state of Tennessee. Its confluence with the Holston River at Knoxville is the beginning of the Tennessee River....

. The creek falls over multiple steep to near-vertical sections of rock under a solid canopy of trees. It has low water flow which can slow to a mere trickle in dry weather. The water clings to the rocks on its way down and ends in a nice pool at the bottom.

Height

There are some disputes as to the height of the falls. Kevin Adams' book, North Carolina Waterfalls, lists the height as "about 55 ft (17 m) high", whereas the North Carolina Waterfalls website lists the height as 75 feet (23 m).

Visiting the Falls

From the intersection of NC 80

North Carolina Highway 80

North Carolina route 80 goes from U.S. Route 70, just west of Marion, at 1300' above sea level, to NC Route 226A, a bit west of Bakersville, 2360'. It passes by Lake Tahoma at about 1500'. It crosses the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Eastern Continental Divide at about 3320', and U.S Route 19E at...

 and the Blue Ridge Parkway

Blue Ridge Parkway

The Blue Ridge Parkway is a National Parkway and All-American Road in the United States, noted for its scenic beauty. It runs for 469 miles , mostly along the famous Blue Ridge, a major mountain chain that is part of the Appalachian Mountains...

, go 2.2 miles north on NC 80 and turn left on South Toe River Road. Passing the access to Roaring Fork Falls

Roaring Fork Falls (Yancey County)

Roaring Fork Falls, also called Roaring Creek Falls, is a waterfall in the Pisgah National Forest, in North Carolina.-Geology:The falls is located on Roaring Fork, a tributary of the South Toe River, which itself is a tributary of the French Broad River. The creek is located in a forest that's...

, go 2.19 miles to the fork, go right, and go 0.61 miles further to the Black Mountain Campground. From the hiker parking area, enter the campground and take the drive furthest to the left, on Briar Bottom Road. Just over 200 yards from the parking area, the drive crosses a small creek. Take the trail on the left, pass the start of the Mount Mitchell Trail, cross Little Mountain Creek, take the right-hand path 200 yards to the falls.

Nearby Falls

• Roaring Fork Falls
  Roaring Fork Falls (Yancey County)
  Roaring Fork Falls, also called Roaring Creek Falls, is a waterfall in the Pisgah National Forest, in North Carolina.-Geology:The falls is located on Roaring Fork, a tributary of the South Toe River, which itself is a tributary of the French Broad River. The creek is located in a forest that's...
  
  
• Mitchell Falls
  Mitchell Falls
  Mitchell Falls is a waterfall located on private property in Yancey County, North Carolina on the slope of Mount Mitchell, the highest mountain in the Appalachian Mountain chain, and highest point in the eastern United States...
  
  
• Douglas Falls
  Douglas Falls
  Douglas Falls are a 60 foot waterfall located in Buncombe County, North Carolina, USA. It is on a tributary of Waterfall Creek which flows into the Ivy River, and it is within the Big Ivy section of the Pisgah National Forest. The stream flows off the slope of Craggy Pinnacle, starting just below...
  
  
• Walker Falls
  Walker Falls
  Walker Falls is a 45-foot cascading waterfall in Buncombe County, North Carolina. Its ease of access makes it a popular destination for Waterfall Hunters...
  
  
• Crabtree Falls
  Crabtree Falls (North Carolina)
  Crabtree Falls is a waterfall in Yancey County, North Carolina.-Geology and Natural History:Crabtree Falls is a 70 ft. cascade on Big Crabtree Creek. The creek spreads over a rock face with many small ledges, giving it a delicate appearance, before trickling into a clear pool at the base...
  
  

External links

• Setrock Creek Falls on NCWaterfalls.com