Accessibility – Difficult

Height – 65′-75′

Distance – 3.8 miles (out and back)

Beauty – 5

Photo rating – 2

Solitude – 6

GPS Info: LAT 35.299 LONG -82.8033

Last Updated – 03/06/2016

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The Waterfall on Rockhouse Creek is approximately 65-75 feet high (it is listed in the world waterfall database but they don’t list the height). It looks to be a pretty waterfall but due to its location and the surrounding foliage there is no way to get a good shot of the entire thing. On my only visit thus far, in March of 2016, I was able to glimpse most of it but getting a good shot was almost impossible. I managed to get to the base following a draining from FR475B and I managed a few shots of the lowest section but this 15 foot high segment does not do justice to this waterfall. With the leaves off the trees you can see all the way to the top of the falls where a bridge on 475B crosses the creek. In the summer you can hear this one but I’m not sure if you can see it. I was pressed for time and was running out of light so I did what I could before I had to hike back down FR475B in the dark (it was gated at 475).

To get to the waterfall, you can park at Slickrock falls and walk up FR475B. If the road is gated, it’s a walk of 1.1 miles to Slickrock Falls and another 0.7 of a mile to Upper Rockhouse Creek Falls. I don’t imagine I’d want to be walking on FR475B if it were open to vehicle traffic but I didn’t see a turn out to park near the waterfall but I didn’t walk up to the bridge. If you are on foot coming from Slickrock Falls, head up FR475B away from the intersection with 475. At the first big left hand switchback, you will see the Middle Falls on Rockhouse Creek. At the next big left hand switchback, you will see the Upper Falls. As far as a way to the bottom, I don’t have a recommendation. Pick the safest spot and head down. There is a drainage from the apex of the hairpin turn than you can follow to get past most of the dog hobble and thorns.

The walk up FR475B, as long as it’s not open to vehicle traffic is kid friendly. The scramble down to the base is not. You might wanna leave the little ones out on this one. Let them enjoy it from the road. Once you get to the base, don’t expect to do too much. My pictures do not do this waterfall justice. I just don’t know how else to approach this one. At some point I plan on making a return visit when I have more time but short of climbing the ridge on the far side of the creek, I don’t see a way to get a decent shot of this one. I’m going to post the best of the bunch, despite the fact I don’t like it. I’ll keep trying…