Black Friday Snowbird Hike
Nantahala National Forest,
Cheoah Ranger District
Snowbird Creek Area
Big Falls (Lower Falls), Middle Falls,
Upper Falls, and Sassafras Falls
Graham County, NC
Friday, November 29th, 2019
Group photo inside the Snowbird Getaway Car
L to R: Scott (the Professor), Me, Jenni
For many people, the day after Thanksgiving means getting up at an ungodly hour of the morning to hit the shopping malls! For me, it means getting up at an ungodly hour of the morning for a day hiking out in the woods! It has been many years since I last missed out on a Black Friday Hike!
The plan for this year's Black Friday hike would be to help Jenni knock a few more waterfalls off her 500 NC Waterfall Challenge list, and also visit an area of the North Carolina Mountains that I have never visited before! The Professor (Scott Burns) would also be joining in on this adventure.
These waterfalls are described on pages 434 through 438 of Kevin Adam's North Carolina Waterfall Bible (3rd Edition). Since Jenni and I had over 3 hours of driving (each way) and getting to all (4) listed falls requires a 14 mile hike, we decided for an early start.
Jenni and I noticed the lines of shoppers queuing up outside the stores as we rolled away from Spartanburg at 5:30am! We were both glad to be heading far away from that madness!
While waiting for Scott to arrive, I took the opportunity to photograph this small waterfall right at the parking area.
Small Waterfall at the trailhead parking area
Once the Professor arrived, we hit the trail right at 9:00am. We started out on the Big Snowbird Trail (#64). After about 2.5 miles we stopped to check out "The Getaway Car".
The Professor inside the Getaway Car
The Getaway Car
Group photo at the Getaway Car
The Professor crossing Sassafras Creek just past the Getaway Car
From the Getaway Car we crossed over Sassafras creek on a log footbridge and continued on the Big Snowbird Trail towards Big Falls (aka Lower Falls) on Snowbird Creek. Big Falls is actually a series of drops. Several short but steep side paths take you down to various viewpoints.
The Lower drop of Big Falls on Snowbird Creek
Jenni on the Scramble path down to the Lower Drop of Big Falls
Big Falls on Snowbird Creek
One of the Middle drops of Big Falls on Snowbird Creek
We continued on crossing Snowbird Creek on a fairly new and well constructed Footbridge
Jenni Crossing Snowbird Creek
The map shows a trail that follows Snowbird Creek up to Middle Falls. However, we took Kevin Adam's advice and took the higher route (Trail 64A). This route adds a bit of a climb, but was easy to follow and avoids several creek crossings.
From there, just follow the signs to Middle Falls.
Jenni hiking down the Snowbird Alt Trail #64A
Middle Falls on Snowbird Creek
Jenni at Middle Falls
Middle Falls on Snowbird Creek
Up to this point the entire hike can be done without getting your feet wet! However, continuing on to either Upper Falls and/or making a loop involving Sassafras Falls does involve getting your feet wet. Jenni and I planned to to both starting with Upper Falls. Scott decided to skip Upper Falls, so we temporarily parted ways!
Jenni Crossing Snowbird Creek
Upper Falls on Snowbird Creek
From Upper Falls we backtracked a bit before hitting the Burntrock Ridge Trail which we took up and over the Ridge down to Sassafras Creek.
Burntrock Ridge Trail Intersection
Jenni approaching the side trail to Sassafras Falls
We saved the best for last! Sassafras Falls was my favorite of (4) listed Snowbird area waterfalls.
Sassafras Falls
Sassafras Falls
Sassafras Falls
Jenni and Me at Sassafras Falls
From Sassafras Falls we completed the hike with an easy (all down hill from here) but long final stretch back to the trailhead parking area! We arrived just in time to meet back up with Scott for an after hike beverage!
Here is the GPS Track from our hike (approximately 14 miles total):
My complete set of photos is posted here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/8146392@N05/albums/72157712085083452
