5-11-07 - Little Bradley Falls is a beautiful 35' multi-level falls up Cove Creek from Big Bradley Falls. I've been here several times now, the most recent being in May '07. The photos are a combination of all trips.

The first time we went, we followed the directions in the old Kevin Adams book. From Asheville, take I-26 east and get off on exit 59 (old exit #28). Take a left (Holbert Cove Rd), drive about 2.5 miles, park on the right shoulder, and scramble down the bank to the trail along the creek to the falls. Well, part of that road washed down the bank a while back. It's been rebuilt, but the shoulder isn't as wide and the scramble down the bank is now over large rocks dumped to build the road back up. There is another way - it's about twice as long and requires you to cross Cove creek, but it's not a bad trek.

From I-26, drive just over 3 miles down Holbert Cove Rd and park in the pull off area on the left. If you cross the creek, you've gone too far. This is the parking for Big Bradley Falls also. Cross the road and creek on the bridge and look for the 'no camping' sign at what appears to be a trail head. Don't take that, but walk up the bank to the left and pick up the obvious trail that heads up creek. There are now red blazes on trees along the trail. In 3-5 minutes (depending on how fast you walk), the trail comes to a feeder creek. Don't go to the left, but head down to the creek and cross. Continue up trail for less than 5 minutes to another creek and do the same thing, still heading up Cove Creek. Soon come to a hole and some erosion fabric. Keep going and about 15 minutes from the beginning, the trail ends. If the water level is normal, you might be able to cross without getting your feet wet. I found the easiest way is to cross at the small cascades. Once across, head up and pick up the trail continuing up creek. In 15-20 minutes you'll come to the base of the waterfall.

Unfortunately, there's a lot of trash in the area. I think most of it washes over the falls from up the creek and collects in the pool, but this appears to be a popular place in warmer weather. There was a big group of people there when we went the 1st time. Some of them crossed the pool and circled up to the middle section. We stayed on this side and found a way up the right side. Below are more photos from various vantage points. It's a really nice waterfall and you should plan to go.