Accessibility – Moderate+
Height – 35′ visible from base
Distance – 2.7 (out and back)
Beauty – 5
Photo rating – 5
Solitude – 5
GPS Info: LAT 35.34300 LONG -83.09630
Last Updated – 09-29-2018
Most Recent Visit: 02-05-2021
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Moses Creek Falls is the first waterfall you’re going to come to if you’re heading down Caney Fork Road from NC107 and it is a good place to start your day. The hike isn’t overly challenging and it’s a good place to stretch your legs after the potentially long drive to Cullowhee. The part of the falls visible from the base is only a fraction of the total but it is a nice setting and the visible section is very nice. Sadly on my visit the sun was beating on the front of the falls so it doesn’t look its best.
To get to the trailhead from US74, exit the Great Smoky Mountains Expressway at Exit 85 and make a slight left onto Beta Circle Rd/Steeple Rd. Follow Beta Circle Road and make an almost immediate left onto Cope Creek Road. Remain on Cope Creek Road for 2.3 miles until it dead-ends into NC107 just North of Western Carolina University. Take NC107 South for 8.4 miles and make a left onto Caney Fork Road. For most of the falls in this area, Caney Fork Road will get you to the trailhead. At 1.9 miles make a left onto Moses Creek Road. The trailhead is 2.5 miles down Moses Creek Road where it makes a hard left switchback. Park on the outside of the curve. Note: while Moses Creek Road starts out as paved the final half mile is dirt.
The hike follows an overgrown logging road that terminates on the outside of the curve where you parked. There are a couple of mounds to climb over but otherwise the route is easy to determine. The path will remain on river left (the creek is on your left) for 0.4 of a mile before it’s time to cross. The creek was to deep to cross without getting our feet wet but the water was up. Once across the trail will turn upstream and parallel the creek. At 1.2 miles from the trailhead (0.8 from the creek crossing) the trail will reach the West Fork of Moses Creek. This was also a get your feet wet opportunity on our hike. After the crossing the trail will start up a hill. On the left you will see an overgrown path leading up the creek you just crossed. Take this left, following the overgrown trail for 0.15 of a mile to reach the creek downstream of the falls. From the side of the creek you can make your way up the rocks to get to the vantage you want.
It took three visits before I finally got decent light! These pics are from my November 2020 hike.
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