Upper Falling Water Branch Falls
!
I visited Upper Falling Water Branch Falls in 2017 and wasn’t impressed. A long series of cascades ending in a short, steep slide, it wasn’t very exciting and the creek was pitifully low at that point. When I returned to Falling Water Branch Falls in 2026, I didn’t bother to check out the upper falls again.
Tropical Storm Helene has severely impacted Falling Water Branch and access to the waterfalls. Given my impression of this waterfall on the first visit and feeling pretty sure that Helene made sure it hadn’t gotten any better, I didn’t feel a strong urge to go back.
If you see it, please let me know what you think.
Driving Directions
From US 19E in Burnsville, get on NC 197 heading south and set your odometer to 0. In the community of Murchison, NC 197 turns right and crosses Cane River. Don’t turn right. Continue straight on what is now Ewart Wilson Road. In about 12.2 miles from US 19E, you’ll reach an old, gated road on the left. Park here.
Less than 0.1 mile before the trailhead is Waterfall 1 on tributary to Cane River.
Hiking Directions
Quick Glance
Follow old road to open field, angle left across field to pick up old logging/mining grade that ascends to creek, then work your way upstream by route of least resistance. You’ll pass Falling Water Branch Falls on the way.
Detailed Look
A lot has changed since my 2017 visit. Some of the logging (mining?) grades I followed no longer exist or aren’t good options. I believe the route I’m giving here is now the best way to reach the falls, but I can’t say for certain.
Follow the old road from the gate. In 200 feet you’ll come to a field under a powerline. You want to cross the field on an angle to the left and pick up an old road entering the woods. GPS for this point is 35.806083, -82.313633.
In about 0.1 mile, another old road turns right. Continue straight. In another tenth of a mile the road reaches Falling Water Branch. About 100 feet before the creek is another road that ascends alongside the creek. It’s narrow, overgrown, and steep, but it provides the route of least resistance.
Follow the grade up to another old road that goes down to the creek. Don’t turn right on it and go to the creek. You want to cross it instead and continue following the grade that runs parallel to the creek. This section is very steep. The grade reaches a clear view of the main lower section of Falling Water Branch Falls and continues up to the upper part.
I didn’t go much farther than the upper part of Falling Water Branch Falls on my last visit, so I can’t help you from this point on. Before you reach the falls, the stream splits. Take the right fork, as you look upstream. Just keep in mind that Helene did a number in there.
| Accessibility: | Old forest roads and bushwhack |
| County: | Yancey |
| River Basin: | French Broad |
| Watercourse: | Falling Water Branch |
| Watershed: | Very small |
| Type and Height: | Long series of cascades ending in a steep slide |
| Landowner: | Mount Mitchell State Park |
| Beauty Rating: | Not much, as I recall |
| Elevation: | 4360 feet |
| USGS Map: | Mount Mitchell |
| Hike Difficulty: | Difficult |
| Hike Distance: | Approx. 1.2 miles |
| Waterfall GPS: | 35.80514, -82.29721 |
| Trailhead GPS: | 35.807177, -82.313412 |
