Steels Creek Falls Trail - Pisgah National Forest, NC

North Carolina

May 17

"I'd keep playing. I don't think the heavy stuff is going to come down for quite a while." - Bill Murray as Carl Spackler in Caddyshack

“There comes a time when we all must decide if we want to wait for the storms of life to pass or if we want to simply dance in the rain.” - Dean Graziosi

The Story -

On an overcast and rainy Saturday morning, Ginger and I hiked four miles at the Steels Creek Falls Trail (SCFT) in the Pisgah National Forest near Jonas Ridge Township, NC. The rain added a serene mystical environment and a layer of difficulty to an already challenging and technical trail. The SCFT is full of rock scrambles, rope climbs, roots, dry creek bed treks, and literally hundreds of large boulders to circumnavigate.

Only A Four-Mile Hike?

Yes, driving two hours for a only a short four-mile hike does seem a little crazy, but don’t let the mileage and distance deceive you into thinking Steels Creek Falls Trail is easy or dull. The trail was very wet and slippery, providing a unique and challenging if not dangerous experience that felt much longer than our four miles. It was an excellent reminder to not discount hikes based only on their length, as short trails still can be spectacular, difficult and have a lot to offer. And the SCFT does have other options to extend your hike to seven or twelve miles if you prefer, depending on your timeframe, fitness level, and the weather of course 😂

Steels Creek Falls Trail -

The Steels Creek Falls Trail is a section of the Mountains-to-Sea trail and is a true treasure trove of waterfalls and rapids. There are five named waterfalls on the Steels Creek and at least six unnamed ones on its tributaries. We visited three - Teacups Falls, Hillbilly Falls, and Steels Creek Falls, along with several of the unnamed ones. Each of the three were unique and stunning in their volume, power and beauty.

The trail follows Steels Creek the majority of the hike with the sound of the angry and rushing water constantly ringing in your ears, almost deafening at times. Some of the hike is even in Steels Creek and several of its shallow tributaries. If you love being in or near water while hiking and don't mind a fitness test while doing so, then the Steels Creek Falls Trail is for you!

Spill The Tea -

The Steels Creek Falls Trail has several trailheads and we unfortunately, or fortunately 😂, chose perhaps the hardest one to start from. Just getting to the trailhead was an adventure in itself. Leaving Route 181, and turning on to the narrow single-lane curvy dirt and gravel National Forest Road for a harrowing three miles that felt more like twenty. Another trailhead is located further north on Route 181 without forest roads, but requires a longer hike to the waterfalls. This would be the option I would choose in the future. The scenic National Forest Road winds through Pisgah National Forest, crossing over a shallow creek bridge subject to flooding with heavy rains, therefore becoming unpassable. We didn’t consider it much at the time, but it would be a major concern upon our departure hours later after consistent downpours. (The water was much higher when we left, but still not impassable thankfully.)

Add Some Cream and Sugar -

The first mile is along a dry creek bed is chock full of slick boulders and uneven ground. After leaving the creek bed, the fun really begins. You cross a narrow path through poison ivy fields, wildflowers, and beautiful rhododendrons before several challenging creek crossings, rope climbs, and numerous rock scrambles. All the while scaling two thousand feet in elevation in slippery conditions. Obviously, SCFT is not your average hike. We turned around after the Teacups Falls yet you can extend your hike from here to seven to twelve miles if you prefer and are a true masochist. I will return one day to do the full twelve miles hopefully under better weather conditions.

Wrap It Up -

The Steels Creek Falls Trail is a somewhat hidden, secluded gem giving you the feeling of being alone in the forest next to rolling waters. Come prepared to get wet, really wet, even if it is not raining. If you still are intrigued and accept the challenge, you will not leave disappointed. If this sounds good to you, give it a try. Just don’t forget a towel, and an extra pair of dry socks and shoes.