Raven Cliff Falls - Moonshine Falls - 10 /25/03

“Dayhike Report
Mountain Bridge Wilderness, SC
Raven Cliff Falls Loop
Moonshine Falls
Saturday, October 25, 2003
SCJack


Raven Cliff Falls Loop - Hike Route and Mileage:

Start at the Raven Cliff Falls Parking Area (Caesars Head Lot B)
Raven Cliff Falls Trail down to the Falls Overlook - 2.2 miles
Backtrack on Raven Cliff Falls Trail to Dismal Trail - 0.3 miles
Dismal Trail - 1.5 miles
Naturaland Trust Trail - 1.8 miles
Gum Gap Trail - 3.0 miles
Finish at the Raven Cliff Falls Parking Area
Total Mileage = 8.8 miles

It was a beautiful Fall morning and a perfect day for hiking! Something new for the Mountain Bridge Wilderness area is that they now charge $2.00 per person. No big deal, I put my $2.00 in the envelop, placed it in the box and started out on the Raven Cliff Falls Trail.

The Raven Cliff Falls trail is fairly easy as it descends down to the Raven Cliff Falls Overlook. I passed a few other hikers, but it wasn’t too crowded due to my early start, and there wasn’t another soul at the overlook. Took a few pictures and then backtracked to the Dismal Trail.

The Dismal Trail is a steep descent just about the whole way. There is one spot where you get a more distant and side view of Raven Cliff Falls before it descends into the Dismal Forest where it meets up with the Naturaland Trust Trail.

This section of the Naturaland Trust Trail starts out following Matthews Creek and passing a couple of good Campsites and many nice Cascades before arriving at the Creek Crossing where a pair of cables are strung across. During high water times, use the bottom cable for you feet and the top cable to hold onto. When the water level is low, you safely step across rocks using the bottom cable for balance. On this day the water level was low enough that I didn’t need to use the cables.

After leaving Matthews Creek the trail begins a steep climb. About halfway up is a very impressive rock outcropping called The Cathedral. Past the Cathedral, the trail begins a series of switchbacks. You can hear the roar Raven Cliff Falls, but you cannot see it from the trail. Right as one of the switchbacks makes its turn just before the 1st ladder, there is a short side trail, which takes to a nice side view of the Falls. There are some steep cliffs in this area, so I would not recommend trying to find any other views of the Falls from this trail.

After a few more switchbacks, you arrive at a suspension bridge, which crosses over the top of the Falls. Past the bridge the trail meets up with the Gum Gap Trail, which leads back to the Raven Cliff Falls trail to complete the loop.

Overall, this is one of my Favorite hikes and the weather could not have been more perfect. From the start of the Dismal trail to the bridge across the top of Raven Cliff Falls, I only so one other couple. But, from the bridge back to the parking lot I am not exaggerating when I say I saw close to 100 people.

Trail Quality and Enjoyment Rating = 9.0/10
Difficulty Rating = 7.0/10

After returning to my car I stopped off at the Caesars Head Overlook to enjoy the view. It was still early so I decided to try and find Moonshine Falls on my way back, so I drove down US276 and parked at the River Falls Fire Station where the trail to Moonshine Falls begins.



Moonshine Falls Trail

From the River Falls Fire Station, walk South along the side of US276 for about 100 yards. You will see a gravel road to your right with a gate to the right and a gate to the left. Walk around the gate on the right to begin the hike.

This is an easy out and back hike of about 4 miles (2 miles each way), but the hard part is finding the Falls. My first time here, I was unable to find them, but this time I brought along Waterfalls Rich’s directions (www.ncwaterfalls.com).

Basically just follow the trail and when it forks a couple of times, take the right forks. The trail will eventually cross two streams. Shortly after the second stream crossing, look for a faint trail to the left. Today, there was a cairn (pile of rocks) marking this side trail, but I can’t promise that will always be there. This side trail descends steeply to Moonshine Falls, which drops over the top of a cave. There are some rusty old drums underneath the cave, which I assume where once part of an old still operation.

Trail Quality and Enjoyment Rating = 7.0/10
Difficulty Rating = 3.0/10


Pictures can be viewed here:
http://community.webshots.com/album/96532891yIWpSF?243

SCJack”

“great review! loved the beautiful pictures”

“Thanks

I keep forgeting that this board does not automatically create hyperlinks. So here is a link to the pictures.



Quick Click to the Pics”