Steels Creek
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| | Raps:5 rappels, max ↨80ft
Red Tape:No permit required Shuttle:None Vehicle:Passenger Rock type:Quartzite | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Condition Reports: | 26 May 2025
"Had the bail at the Steels Creek Falls rap. The initial two potholes were death hydraulics, and not everyone in the group was able to traverse them to |
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| Best season: | Any Season
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35.9255, -81.8471
35.9127, -81.8392
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Waterflow
Introduction[edit]
Steels Creek is an absolute NC classic, with a particular emphasis on deep pothole swimming and slippery footing. The nearby Gingercake Creek empties into Steels a quarter mile upstream of the start, making this drainage noticeably bigger with higher flows and a touch of warmer water. When the state is in drought conditions, this route still maintains its Class C character.
Steels Creek has ample opportunities to bail early if weather turns or flow is too gnarly, since the MST parallels the waterway for most of the route. Because of that and the abundance of swimming holes, it's not too uncommon to run into intermittent groups of swimmers at the most accessible parts of the creek - which always makes for interesting looks as you pass by all decked out in gear. The route features a mixture of bolted and natural anchors, as well as necessary rigging of a retrievable traverse line to access the anchors for the 4th rappel. Come prepared!
- Note - you could also shorten this excursion by dropping into the creek right above Steels Creek Falls, then run it from that point back. This makes for an excellent short day adventure or "tack on" to another one. See the approach beta for details.
Approach[edit]
Access FR228 from HWY 181, about 3.4 miles south of the Brown Mountain Overlook. Drive 4 miles down the dirt road until you reach the end. There is a large parking area here that can fit 5-7 cars, depending on how well everyone parks. The white blazed MST trail picks up from here, at the end of the road. About 1.6 miles after turning onto FR228, you'll cross Little Fork Creek. If that crossing is spicy for your vehicle, then water levels are likely too high to run the creek.
From the parking, head north up the MST for 0.2mi. At that point, the trail crosses Steels Creek above a cascade and swimming hole, then picks back up on the other side. Make a mental note of this spot because it can be easy to miss this exit after coming back down the creek. Once back on the trail after the crossing, the MST will make a right hand turn and continue north. From this point, the start of the route is another 1.1 miles further up the trail - located here: 35.92548, -81.84714. There are two spots where the trail can be tricky to follow as it scrambles up rocky sections. Just keep looking for the white blazes on trees if you lose it.
In 0.5mi after the crossing, there will be a short spur trail down to a precarious and slippery ledge that overlooks Steels Creek Falls proper and the massive pothole/swimming hole. Personally speaking, I would skip this view in lieu of experiencing it top-down if this is your first time here. But it's good to note where this is, in case the flow is too strong and you need to bail. *If doing the shorten version, then drop in above this waterfall by following a short and faint spur path a couple dozen yards up the trail. This will put you at the R2 beta and forward.
1 mile after the initial creek crossing, there will be another spur trail (located here: 35.92469, -81.84743) that goes down to the base of what is known as the Teacups - a series of about 7 potholes. The route begins just above the Teacups, which you can see from the MST. So once you get there, continue on the MST until you can see that you're past the pothole formations, then dive off trail and into the creek. Find a suitable place to gear and suit up here.
Descent[edit]
Swim, wade, and scramble through the Teacups. There are even a few spots for some small jumps. The Teacups finish with a long slide into a swimming hole. Scramble down the bedrock DCR until you're within a comfortable sliding distance, then send it!
After the Teacups, continue downstream scrambling through an impressive boulder-choked section of the creek. In about 10 minutes, you'll come to the first rappel.
- R1: 75ft (23m) Beverly Hillbilly Falls. Rappel off a two bolt anchor, located on the headwall facing the drop, into a deep channel that makes a geologically impressive 90 degree turn. This is a swimmer even in low waters.
Continue creek stomping until you arrive at the top of Steels Creek Falls, 0.3 miles downstream. Admittedly, the last 0.2 miles is a relatively boring and flat creek walk. Alternatively, 0.1 miles below Beverly Hillybilly Falls, the MST comes within a stone's throw of the creek and you can quickly walk that section of the trail instead, then jump back on once you can see the creek beginning to get bouldery again. In either case, head DCR on a rock terrace atop of Steels Creek Falls for the rappel station.
- R2: 70ft (22m) Steels Creek Falls. Rappel off trees from a rocky terrace DCR into the big pothole DCL, passing two smaller (but very deep) potholes. Please only leave black webbing here, as this is a popular local waterfall and we want our presence to be as discreet and visually low impact as possible.
- R3: 70ft (22m). Rappel in the massive pothole/swimming hole below off an unlinked bolted ring anchor from the back of the pothole where water is calmer and more shallow. Note - there is a chance of an awkward hydraulic through the next two potholes during higher flows. Please do not add webbing here - this is a popular local waterfall and we want to be as discreet and visually low impact as possible.
Enjoy the swimming hole. There are several cliff jumping spots up to ~15ft. The water flow is calmer and tends to eddy if you swim DCR and counterclockwise around the pothole. The next 70' rappel is immediately downstream and DCL across the flow. There is a bolted anchor to rig a retrievable traverse line to reach the bolted anchor for the 4th rappel.
- R4: 70ft (22m) Lower Steels Creek Falls. Another fun rappel off an unlinked bolted ring anchor into a swimmer that can also be "slide-rappelled". The terrain at the base of this drop makes you question if you're really in NC. Please do not add webbing here - this is a popular local waterfall and we want to be as discreet and visually low impact as possible.
Continue creek stomping downstream for about another 10 minutes, passing many deep swimming holes, until you reach the 5th and final rappel.
- R5: 15ft (5m). Small cascade with a slung, mossy boulder DCR as the anchor.
Exit[edit]
Continue downstream, passing more deep swimming holes and impressive rock formations, until you are at the initial creek crossing from the approach (10min from last rappel). Follow the trail for 0.2 miles back to the parking.