792 – Bella Falls (SC)

Accessibility – Moderate+ (steep scramble)

Height – 20′

Distance – 4.2 miles (out and back)

Beauty – 3

Photo rating – 1

Solitude – 7

GPS Info: LAT 35.05385 LONG -82.84663

Last Updated – 01-15-2023

Last Visited – 03-13-2021

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Bella Falls, Christopher Falls, and Evil Ducky Falls are clustered together at the confluence of an unnamed trib and Laurel Fork. If you’re going to do one, there is no reason not to do all three. They are that close together. Two are on the trib and the third is on Laurel Fork.

The trailhead: If the gate is closed, the trailhead parking is the same as Virginia Hawkins Falls. The GPS for the parking is: 35.04414, -82.83821.

The hike: If the gate is closed, start by haking past the gate on Canebrake Road. The first 0.4 is pretty steep, and even though the climb moderates, it is exclusively uphill for the first 0.8 miles. Once you crest the ridge, it’s a moderate descent toward Upper Laurel Fork Falls. At 1.3 miles you will make your closest approach to Upper Laurel Creek Falls. The road will resuming climbing up from the Laurel Fork drainage. At 1.3 miles te road will go into a second right hand switchback. At the midpoint of this turn, find a good spot to head down the ridge. This is where we left the trail: 35.05611, -82.8453. Do you best to aim down the middle of the ridge. It’s about 0.2 to the confluence. Bella Falls is the higer one on the unnamed trib. It’s tucked in a hollow so you have to climb down then climb out to head downstream to Evil Ducky Falls. It is the smallest of the three falls. From Evil Ducky work your way around to Laurel Fork. Christopher Falls is about the same distance up Laurel Fork as Bella is up the trib. It’s a lot of making it up as you go and picking the best line. I can’t really help you there. Just do your best to hug the middle of the ridge on the way down and back up.

It’s a shame all the crap fell on it.