Toms Creek Falls Hike
This easy hike is excellent for families and children, with a reward at the end that everyone will look forward to. It's short enough that adults who have to carry tired kids won't be too worn out at the end to enjoy it themselves. The waterfall isn't the only thing to enjoy on this trail, however. You'll see a lush cove hardwood forest with smaller streams, a bridge, huge boulders, and flakes of shiny mica. Kids will love the small pool at the base of the 60-foot falls which is perfect for wading. During the spring, there are a wide variety of wildflowers to see and photograph.
At A Glance
0.8 mi round-trip
Difficulty Rating: 0.99 
Tread Condition: Graveled
Climb: Climbs Gently
Lowest Elevation: 2000 ft
Highest Elevation: 2001 ft
Climb Total: 120 ft
Configuration: Out-and-back
Starting Point: Parking area just before bridge on Huskins Branch Road, about 8 miles from Marion, NC.
Trails Used: Falls Branch
Hike Start Location
Directions
From the intersection of US 70 and US 221 North in Marion, NC, drive about 5 1/2 miles North on US 221. Turn left on Huskins Branch Road, just before the old Woodlawn Motel. The road climbs and turns gravel, then paved again. At 1.2 miles from the start, park in the gravel lot on the right.
Details
Hike Description
This hike starts in an old field or homestead, as evidenced by the even-aged stand of Tuliptrees that grow there, as well as the patch of prolific, non-native flowers to the left of the trail sign. The trail follows an old road bed most of the way, and it is easy. It has a surface of hard-packed sand and crushed gravel. Creek crossings are by bridge or culvert. And except for a short hill right at the very end, the trail ascends very gently.
The forest is a typical mixed cove hardwood forest. A variety of wildflowers grow here in the spring. There are also a number of eastern hemlocks mixed in with the hardwood trees, some of which are surviving despite the Hemlock Wooly Adelgid infestation present in this section of the forest. These trees may have been treated with insecticides to keep them alive. This presents an opportunity to see what intact hemlock-filled coves once looked like all across the southern Appalachian mountains, a scene which has gradually disappeared in the first two decades of the twenty-first century.
Just after you start the hike, you'll see a grand boulder on your right like a sentinel guarding the waterfall's valley. There are many of these boulders and angled rock slabs along the way, and most of them are covered with moss and lichens. Look closely at one of these rocks, and you will likely see lots of embedded mica. Mica is a group of silicate minerals composed of varying amounts of aluminum, potassium, magnesium, iron and - believe it or not - water. In fact, most rocks and minerals contain trace amounts of water, even deep within.
Micas form flat, plate-like crystals which cleave into smooth flakes. Look in the soil beside the trail for these flakes, which shine and glint in the sun. Mica is used as an electrical insulator and also as an insulator from heat. Up the mountain and across the Blue Ridge Parkway from this point is the town of Micaville, where mica is mined extensively and used all over the world. There is also an old mica mine just downstream from Toms Creek Falls, which you will see near the end of the hike.
The trail loosely follows the creek. A small stream will cross the path under a bridge, and at this point the old roadbed heads up the ridge to the right (but you may not even see it). Shortly beyond the bridge is a short climb through a series of switchbacks, and then the trail approaches the falls.
The trail ends at a sturdy observation deck overlooking the approximately 60-foot high falls and a smaller cascade just in front of it. A large boulder sits to the right of the cascade, framing the falls.
To the right, just before the observation deck, is a path that splits off up a set of steps made out of roots. It leads a few feet to a former campsite with a fantastic view of the falls. You can descend the bank to the base of the falls from there, where there is a nice flat area, a gravel and sand bar, and pools that are great for wading. Be careful on slippery rocks!
To see the old mica mine, cross the creek below the falls. A trail leads downstream on the other side of the creek for a few feet, then turns into a large gully cut into the mountainside. Follow this gully uphill for a few more feet to the entrance of the old mine tunnel leading downhill and into the mountainside. The walls of the gully tower 50 ft above you on both sides. A vertical shaft leading into the tunnel leaves an "unnatural bridge" of sorts hanging in midair above you. Water drips from above, and the tunnel is filled with water.
Although the tunnel is not vertical, so you don't have to worry about falling straight in, don't enter the water. It looks to be very deep. There may be the possibility of falling rock as well - especially during freezing and thawing weather. Be very alert and careful in this area.
When you're finished exploring the falls and mine, return to your vehicle on the same path.
All Photos from This Hike
Map
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Feedback
Ratings
Average Rating: 4.1 (rated 14 times)
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Eleia said: Do you know if camping is allowed?
Teia said: How long does it take to hike? Is the trail a hike to the end then turn around and hike back? Just trying to plan since I have a certain window of time. TIA
Devin Petrillo said: Please call me regarding going hiking there
Carol Baxter said: A wonderful short hike any time of year. With enough snow, did some X-Country ski touring to falls. What a beautiful sight to see falls in winter. Be careful on the rocks. Our dogs loved swimming in the waterfall pool.
Carrie said: The trail is easy and well maintained, no need for a map. There is no cost to get in.
Cathy said: I have a couple questions: How much is it to get in, I didn’t see it listed anywhere? Also is the trail marked well enough as not to need the map? Thanks
Moira said: Is this trail accessible in the winter?
[Site Admin] Jordan M. said: @Ben Trotter: there's an unofficial trail that leads up the right side of the falls to it. It's not blazed, but fairly obvious and easy to follow.
Ben Trotter said: Can you access the MST/Woods Mtn horse trail from this Toms Creek Falls trail?
George brown said: The falls are breathtaking.i discovered the falls back in 1980.back then not to many people ever knew the falls we're there.there wasn't even room to park cars there you had to pull off side of road n park.and walk through the woods.after about a 25 minute heading north you would make it to the falls.after about a 15 minute walk in the woods you.. could start hearing water running.the falls today are very excessible.the forestry service has cleared walkways and graveled walkways all the way to the falls and installed park benches along the way. Once you reach the falls there is a deck to sit on.and enjoy the views
Maria said: How much is it to go in???
Laura Kulas said: Can dogs come on hike? Any recommendations where I can hike with my dog?
Joshua_D said: Took the family on this hike today; my wife plus a 7, 5, and 3 year old. We had a great time. There is a nice parking area at the trail head, and the walk to the waterfall is very easy. There are plenty of shallow places to play in the water, and the small pool at the bottom of the falls is fun. Also, there are a few nice side paths along the trail and some fun rocks for kids to climb. Highly recommend for families with small children.
Joy said: Is it possible to take a Bob stroller on this hike to the waterfall?
Madison Jones said: About how long, time wise, is the hike? At the waterfall can you swim/get near it? Thanks!
Just Another Tourist said: This trail is short and very easy to walk, even for someone out of shape. But a note to all walkers- PLEASE WATCH FOR SNAKES! There were posted warnings about copperheads recently spotted in the area, especially up near the rocks where you start walking to the top of the falls. Keep an eye out.
Lisa Schmitt said: The entire trail, except maybe the last, steepest 0.1 mile, has been resurfaced. At no point do you walk through a "seep" or any water, not even a ditch. There is a nice little, well-built bridge across the worst area that used to be a wet crossing, and a large covered culvert fixing the other one. Some of the steepest part has been rerouted into a set of switchbacks for safer hiking, but it doesn't add much distance at all. Also, a few more parking spaces have been added at the trailhead as part of the improvements. I only wish they would remove or relocate at least some of the numerous recently cut trees near the trail. Very untidy, and hardly a natural look.
[Site Admin] Jordan M. said: Thanks Michael - we've updated the directions here and it should be more clear!
Michael Meyers said: This was an awesome hike! Great falls! I wish the instructions had said the street is at the intersection of Woodlawn Motel instead of "if you pass Woodlawn Motel you've gone too far". That makes it sound like the motel is a couple streets down, but the street goes right behind Woodlawn Motel.
Abby Lee said: this is a great hike
F Lamar Wakefield said: This is a beautiful falls which I have been hiking to since 1979 when I took my sons and a church group. It looks to me to stand at least 100 ft tall. A large pool is at the top and an enjoyable trail easy to walk for about a mile merging into a fire road. I only know of someone getting lost when hiking up on the cliffs going to Woods mountain. I am 71 year old boy scout and still love to camp,sleep,and meet God on the mountain side. You will share my love for this piece of Jurassic fantasy.
tony said: Great hike. Did this with my seven year old daughter. The foundation was for a water wheel. Miners would use the wheel to power pumps to pump water from the mine shafts. The shafts were prone to take on rain water and flood. The water wheel would be powered by a water flume starting up the river.
Kim said: We hiked to the higher falls with our 1.5 year old in the summer. It is amazing place. Our little one played in the pools and had a blast in the clear cool water. Worth the drive from Asheville.
Jordan said: I'm not sure exactly what the foundation was for or what they were mining, but with all the mica lying around, I wouldn't be surprised if that's what it was. Rich of www.ncwaterfalls.com and Kevin Adams' book "North Carolina Waterfalls" list the falls as about 60 feet high, which seems like a reasonable estimate to me. I'll add it to the description.
Linda Kritemeyer said: Our Model A Ford Club toured to these falls. Very pretty and interesting with the mica on the path, daffodils ready to bloom,the height of the falls and the old mine and what looks like a foundation for a water wheel. Do you know what they were mining there and what the foundation was for (what kind of mill). Also how tall are the falls?
John said: This is a great hike for kids. It's short, easy, and safe with all the things kids like for the entire hike: a creek, big rocks and a spectacular view at the end.