NOTE: FR1206 is gated at FR476, 3.3 miles from US276. There is no posted time for it to be reopened. This adds a little bit to Bradley Creek and a lot to the Slate Rock Creek Trailhead. I walked it to Slate Rock Creek TH in December of 2022, and it’s not difficult but it’s not very scenic.
Forestry 1206 (FR1206), also known as Yellow Gap Rd. intersects US276 in Pisgah Forest 11.7 miles North of the intersection in Brevard where 64/280/276 converge. The turn is on the right shortly after passing the entrance to the Cradle of Forestry and the Pink Beds picnic area. If coming from the Blue Ridge, FR1206 is on the left 3.3 miles from the stop sign at the base of the ramp. At certain times of the year FR1206 is gated so check in advance before planning your trip.
Until recently I hadn’t been paying much attention to this area but with my focus again on this area, I will be making more additions to this page in the near future. Thus far I have explored eight waterfalls along FR1206 but there are others that I will be exploring in 2018-19. FR1206 is a gravel service road littered with numerous single lane bridges, so there is a chance you will have to make use of the numerous turn outs. It provides a nice drive through the forest but it lacks the views of nearby FR475B (Headwaters Road). This area is lined with campsites so in the summer months there is a lot of vehicle traffic.
1.3 Miles
040 – Waterfall on Barnett Branch
078 – Middle Falls on Barnett Branch
079 – Upper Falls on Barnett Branch
2.9 Miles
3.2 Miles
327 – Lower Thompson Ridge Falls
328 – Upper Thompson Ridge Falls
3.3 Miles
Intersection with FR476 (gated)
4.0 Miles
6.8 Miles
080 – Waterfall on Slate Rock Creek
911 – Slate Rock Creek Trib Falls (35.39317, -82.69681)
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