Accessibility – Moderate
Height – 15′
Distance – 1.2 miles (out and back)
Beauty – 6
Photo rating – 9
Solitude – 7
GPS Info: LAT 35.10019 LONG -82.60847
Last Updated – 02-07-2019
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Evans Falls is a scenic 15 foot waterfall in the next drainage North of the creek where you find Misty Falls. While not as high as Misty Falls, the creek has more flow and the colored rock conspire to paint a great setting. There is a nice pool below the falls. Reaching the falls is via logging road and a moderate bushwhack that leads right past Misty Falls. The best view is from the rocky island in the middle of the creek. Someone did some pruning in the area since the rhodos look to have been cut back to allow more access to the island. Combined with Misty Falls, this is a nice adventure for someone looking for a bit more challenge than following a blazed trail. Keep in mind this is an off-trail hike and these come with inherent dangers. There are some steep places and a lot of downfall so keep this in mind.
To get to the trailhead from NC and points North pick your best approach to reach the Caesars Head Visitor Center on US276. If you continue 2.2 miles South on US276 there is a large pullout on the right just before the road enters a tight left hand turn. If you’re coming up from SC. the pullout is on the left 5.0 miles from the split with US276 and SC11. There is a logging road on the right on the inside of the sharp turn below the parking area, which is the start of the trail.
From the parking area, hike down US276 and cross to the highway to the inside of the sharp turn where the logging road heads down. It will descend to an open area at a gate where an old kiosk stands. Pass the gate and continue on the logging road. If you want an idea of the water flow at Misty Falls, the creek is below the grade on the left. On my visit it wasn’t exactly raging. If you parked on the side of US276 about 0.25 of a mile from the pullout the logging road will begin a sharp right turn around a narrow ridge spine. This is where you want to leave the road. The GSP coordinates to leave the road are 35.09916, -82.61030. It is the only place that is overgrown with laurel that you will have to push through until the woods open up.
The ridge spine isn’t very wide but you want to use it to reach the old logging road at creek level. If you are newer to this kind of hiking, this is one of the best examples of a ridge spine you’re going to see. The path you follow is going to be steep but manageable but ten feet to the left or right from the center-line of the spine and the sides plunge down dramatically. Almost from the moment you push through the laurel at the start of the bushwhack you will hear Misty Falls on the left. If you’re including this on your trip, you can take some pictures from the hillside near the midpoint of the falls. If you want to get to the base, see the Misty Falls Page.
If you’re going to Evans Falls first, stay on the spine. The slopes on either side are exceptionally steep, while the spine is more moderately graded, although when you’re climbing back up you will be breathing heavy. As you move further downstream from Misty Falls there is more downfall to negotiate but once past it the spine will drop down and leave you on an obvious logging road. I could see Evans Falls coming down the hill with the leaves off. When you get to the old road, make a left and follow Oil Camp Creek upstream. In a short distance you will cross the creek Misty Falls is on. Once across the woods open up as the road leads to the side of Evans Falls.
I made my way out to the island to take pictures and if it had been a warm July day I probably would have waded into the pool. The fact it was a temperate February morning kept me out of the water on this visit.
If you want to include the base of Misty Falls from here, head back toward the creek crossing and bushwhack up the river left side (the creek on your left) toward Misty Falls. The slope isn’t too awful and the woods are mostly open. Once you get closer to the lowest drop you will have to do some scrambling depending on the view you want. To get back to your car you can return to the confluence of the two creeks and head south on the logging road (downstream) until you can climb up the spine or you can find a place on the steep bank on river right to climb up. The first choice is longer but the second is much harder.
If you’re heading to Mashbox Falls, which is about 0.25 of a mile upstream, click HERE.
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