The Geminis
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| | Difficulty:3B II (v4a1 III) Raps:4, max ↨150ft
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| Best season: | Anytime (avg for this region)
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35.2822, -82.8551
35.2659, -82.8469
35.2791, -82.8426
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Introduction
Another half day route near the Brevard section of the Pisgah National Forest. The Gemini Falls (Upper and Lower) run over a nearly 400’ tall cliff on the eastern flank of Sassafras Knob. Overall, this run is not super desirable - it’s a low flow drainage with more bushwhacking than I generally like for a route. But on the flipside, 3 of the 4 rappels are over 100’ with nice exposure and big views into the Southern Pisgah Valley. If shuttling, it’s a relatively quick day that doesn’t require cold water protection during the warm months.
Approach
The approach hike starts at Glouceser Gap, located here: (35.26592, -82.84688). If shuttling, you’ll need to drop your car at the intersection with FR 475 and Laurel Fork Creek, located here: (35.27910, -82.84262), which is 1.2 miles North of Gloucester Gap.
Follow the Art Loeb Trail North for 0.6mi, and once at the SECOND switchback intersection with FR 229 (35.26980, -82.85142), get off the Art Loeb and follow the road North uphill.
Follow FR 229 for 0.9 miles, then turn right at the intersection (35.27779, -82.85723). Follow this for 0.7 mi, passing over Laurel Fork Creek, until you come to the next creek (35.28299, -82.85778), which is an unnamed tributary of Laurel Fork. Follow this creek through the rhodos for about 0.2mi until you reach the obvious first drop. We found staying out of the creek for most of this to be the path of least resistance, but it was still ‘schwacky in parts.
Descent
R1: 100ft (30m) off a rhodo DCR. You’ll land on a small saddle between this and the next drop. You can stay on rope until you reach the next anchor and tether in.
R2: 120ft (37m) off a rhodo DCL. Upper Gemini Falls proper. Creekwhack downstream for about 20 yards to the top of the next rappel.
R3: 150ft (46m) off a rhodo DCL. Gemini Falls proper. Nice views towards Cedar Mountain and the Southern Pisgah Valley at the top of this one. Finish on a large shelf ~40’ from the true base.
R4: 40ft (13m) off a rhodo DCL.
Exit
Creekwhack downstream. Lots of blow downs. At the 3400’ elevation line, you can pick up a faint trail (35.28046, -82.85145), and follow that for about 0.1mi until you reach the confluence of Laurel Fork Creek and then the top of Lower Laurel Fork Falls (35.27965, -82.84971). Scramble this and stay in the creek for the next 0.2mi until you pick up the trail again (35.28029, -82.84529) for the remaining 0.2mi to FR 475 and the shuttle vehicle.
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Background
First Technical Descent: Brittany Parham & Ryan Mallon August 2025