Upper Creek (Main Falls)
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| | Raps:1, max ↨100ft
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| Best season: | Anytime (avg for this region)
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35.9605, -81.8635
35.9600, -81.8610
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Introduction
Upper Creek Falls, skirting the outer periphery of Linville Gorge, is a singular waterfall rap that offers easy hiking, bail options, additional swimming holes, and a couple of slides. While normally not an engaging route for the experienced canyoner, this could be the perfect option for short family outings, skill practice, or newer folks - especially if hanging around and swimming is high on the list.
Upper Creek is wildly popular among tourists, sees a disproportionate amount of SAR calls, and is one of the only two waterfalls approved for commercial guiding in Pisgah NF. Start early to beat the crowds.
Approach
The Upper Creek Falls parking lot is located off HWY 181, roughly 2 miles north of the popular Brown Mountain Overlook and 23 miles north of Morganton.
From the parking lot, take the trail that starts behind the trailhead kiosk. In 0.5 miles, you’ll reach a staircase that brings you down to the creek. The brink of Upper Creek Falls is 50’ downstream.
Descent
You can rappel either DCL or DCR over the falls. Both have advantages and disadvantages, depending on your group’s abilities.
- DCL: Option: 100ft (30m) off small rhodos. This line is best for those new to rappelling. It has less awkward movement and keeps you out of the water. If water levels are high in the channel downstream, this is the side of the falls you want to be on.
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- DCR: Option: 100ft (30m) off bolts behind the big boulder and under its roof. This is a more technical line and better stance. If water in the channel is up, and looks sketchy to walk down, then you’ll eventually need to cross to the river left side of the creek while rappelling. If water is too high to safely execute that on rope, then rappel off trees DCL.
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Head downstream by either staying in the watercourse and sliding into the small pool (make sure to avoid sliding into the small alcove). If water is too high or quick for that, scramble through a boulder cave DCL and then cross the pool. Immediately after this pool is the Lower Falls, marked by a long slide into a deep swimming hole. Continue on until the trail intersects the creek again, which is a couple minutes downstream. This is the end of the main falls loop.
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Exit
Once you reach where the main trail system connects to the creek again, it’ll loop back to the parking lot in either direction.