Gingercake Creek Canyon
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| | Raps:5-6 raps + 1 jump, max ↨75ft
Red Tape:No permit required Shuttle:None Vehicle:Passenger Rock type:Quartzite | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Best season: | All but winter. Better when water is higher.
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35.9245, -81.8642
35.9275, -81.8651
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Introduction[edit]
Short, sporty, and steep! Gingercake Creek Canyon, on the eastern flank of the Linville Gorge Wilderness, has been equipped to run in true Class C fashion. There are 5-6 rappels, a small jump, and a couple swimmers - all within a 0.3 mile stretch of rugged creek terrain! The first 2 rappels are more or less interesting depending on water levels, but the rest of it is as good as it gets in NC and are absolute classics. For full value, head out when flow is up - but be prepared for some added spice during the final 3 raps!
Gingercake makes a great training ground for rigging and efficiency practice, as well as general team dynamics. Depending on your team's overall proficiency, this half-day creek can easily be combined with other nearby routes for a mega day outing. Wetsuit is strongly advised, but you could get by without one in the dead of summer if you move quickly and have a high tolerance for cold water.
Approach[edit]
Access FR 496 from HWY 181 near the Brown Mountain Overlook, and head west for 3.15 miles - at which point you'll come to the intersection with FS4060 (a permanently gated road). Park here at the obvious, grassy pull out - which is big enough for 4-5 cars depending on how you park. Gingercake Creek Canyon is directly below the forest road. From the western most side of the parking, start heading into the forest and down the mountain. Initially, you'll be able to follow a faint game path for the first 1/3-1/2, but eventually it will be swallowed by the jungles of the American Southeast. At that point, just follow the path of least resistance until you hit the creek. Full disclosure: the last 1/3 of the approach is extremely dense with rhododendron. Staying "more right" on the way down should keep you out of the thickest spots, but it's still going to be thick regardless. Once on the creek, you'll be either right at the head of the canyon (the first rappel) or less than 50 yards upstream of it. Typically folks suit up at the cars, before the approach, then harness/gear up at the creek.
Descent[edit]
Pro Tip: Once you hit the creek after the initial approach, stay in the watercourse for the rest of the canyon for maximum fun!
- R1: 35ft (11m). This is Prelude Falls, foreshadowing the epicity that is to come. Rappel into the tight channel below off a set of bolted anchors, located on the giant boulder jutting out of the creek. This rappel is much more fun in higher waters!
- R2: 30ft (9.5m). Top Hat Falls, named for the perched boulder on top of the waterfall. In low waters, this feels like a throw away rappel, but in higher flows you will be fully doused. Rappel the waterfall from a set of bolted anchors located on top of the boulder (aka the "Top Hat").
- Optional R3: 35ft (11m). Depending on water levels, this drop is either easily scrambled/slid or a mandatory rappel to mitigate risk. Regardless, the pool at the bottom is a swimmer. Make the right choice for your team's abilities. Natural anchor off a tree DCR. This drop was originally ghosted during the first technical descent.
- JUMP 1: After the optional rappel and swimmer, bushwhack for 20 yards DCL (skirting a deep channel) until you can gain the top of a boulder about 6ft over the water level, looking back upstream. Once on top, take the jump and subsequent swim out. This waterfall was named No Return Falls, due to the committing nature of jumping into the channel during the first exploratory descent. You get extra style points if you cut a flip. As of June 2024, a backfull has been sent from this jump.
- R4: 45ft (14m). Gingercake Slot Falls. Rappel DCL through this exquisite, narrow slot off a set of bolted anchors behind the boulder you just jumped from. Rig Releasable, set rope length, and enjoy this amazing section. Flow is strong here and, in anything other than low waters, this will be a tad spicy!
- R5: 50ft (15m). Gingercake Bluff Falls. Another amazing, steep rappel that takes you underneath an overhang/cave feature. If you set rope length carefully, a 100' rope will be -just- enough to rappel and pull. In higher waters, this one will also be spicy. Set of bolted anchors DCL.
The next immediate drop is Gingerbeer Falls. It is down scrambled on DCR.
- R6: 75ft (23m). Gingercake Creek Falls. Final rappel, but a fun one! Before the creek starts dropping again, there is a set of bolted anchors DCL on an exposed rock terrace. You'll make a fast 12ft rappel into a waist-deep channel of water. Wade through this short section then continue the rappel over the next drop, which is the waterfall proper. If you stay in the flow, you will cut back into an overhang and be fully doused. The channel at the bottom is another swimmer. Note - if you only have a 150ft rope, set length carefully in order to have enough for the pull.
Exit[edit]
For some, the ascent out is a death march. You'll gain 600ft of elevation in only 0.3mi, while navigating thick undergrowth. Short but steep, amirite?
Once at the bottom of Gingercake Creek Falls, ascend the hillside out towards FR 496 via the path of least resistance, going straight up. New deadfall as of 2024 has made this even harder, especially the initial section leaving the creek. But overall, it's not the worst hike out and it's over before you know it. Once you connect back to the forest road, head west until you are at the parking again. Typically I get back on the road less than 100 yards from my car.
Red tape[edit]
None
Beta sites[edit]
Trip reports and media[edit]
Background[edit]
First technical descent: Brittany Parham, Trevor Curran, John Paul Tabor, Ryan Mallon, Danny Bell, and Cat Bell in May/June 2024. First completed with advanced natural rigging, then later equipped with fixed hardware to facilitate safer future descents.