Setrock
Creek Falls
Setrock Creek Falls and Roaring Fork Falls are 2 really nice waterfalls that probably don't get the attention they deserve. Both falls are in the same general area and there are several ways to get to them depending on which way you are coming from. If you have the time, be sure to check out this little beauty on Whiteoak Creek. From areas west of Old Fort, take I-40 east and get off at Exit 72 (US70). Drive about 9.5 miles on US70 and take a left on NC80 at a stop light. From areas east of Marion, get off I-40 on US221, go north to US70 west, then look for 80 north to the right. NC80 is a very curvy road once it passes the lake. At just under 12 miles, come to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Continue on NC80 for another 2.2 miles and turn left on South Toe River Rd (SR 1205). There may be a sign for the Busick Work Center and Black Mountain Campground.
If you want to hit Roaring Fork Falls 1st, cross the bridge and turn left at the Busick Work Center sign. This road ends at the Center in less than 1/4 mile. Park on the left, the trail is the gated road to the right. Hike up the road for just over 1/2 mile. You'll begin to hear the creek on the left and the road crosses the creek. Just before the crossing, take the path to the right over the foot bridge. The trail ends at the base of the falls a short distance from the road. The falls is a 100' long beautiful cascade (2 pictures below).
Roaring
Fork Falls
To get to Setrock Creek Falls from Roaring Fork, come back out to SR 1205 and take a left and reset your odometer. Drive past the golf course and the road turns to gravel and is now FR472. At 2.2 miles, bear right at the fork and pass some homes on the left. At a total of 2.8 miles, park on the left across from the entrance to the Black Mountain Campground. Do not drive into the campground! On my last visit in late August 2018, FR472 was closed past the campground due to a washed out place along the road.
To get to Setrock Creek Falls from the Mount Mitchell area of the Blue Ridge Parkway, you can go 3.3 miles from the intersection of NC128 and take a left on FR472 if it's open. (If it's not open, continue to NC80 and follow the above directions.) Go 4.7 miles on FR472 and park on the right just across from the Black Mountain Campground. Remember that parts of the Parkway are closed during the winter months. Walk into the campground, cross the bridge and look for the blue and yellow blazes for a trail to the left. The trail is only 0.5 miles and is fairly easy. At about 0.4 miles up the trail, the blue blazed trail to Mount Mitchell turns to the right. Stay with the yellow blazes and in a short distance, cross a foot bridge and take the path to the right. Cross the gravel road and the trail continues for a couple of hundred yards and ends at the falls. If there hasn't been any rain in a while, this 75' waterfall can slow to a trickle.
Setrock
Creek Falls
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