Sam Branch Falls

1-18-25  The waterfalls on Sam Branch and in Wash Hollow are both accessed from the same parking area along NC215. The trail has been impacted from hurricane Helene which blew through western NC in September 2024. More info on that below. Sam Branch is fairly easy to get to, but there's a sketchy crossing of Sam Branch to see the waterfall in Wash Hollow which is just out of eye sight of Sam Branch. The waterfall on the West Fork of the Pigeon River - also called Sunburst Falls - is just down the road and is viewable from the road. You could make a part to full day exploring these and the waterfalls on Bubbling Spring Branch.

Three Arch Bridge

Directions: From the intersection of the Blue Ridge Parkway and NC215, head north on 215 for 4 miles, passing the pull off for the view of Bubbling Springs Branch Cascades on the right at 1.8 miles. At about 3.3 miles down from the Parkway, you'll drive over Three Arch Bridge shown in the picture above. Just after crossing this bridge, there's a small area on the right where you can park to explore up and down West Fork if you are so inclined. At 4 miles from the Parkway, pull over on the right at the guard rail in the hairpin turn to the left. This is the parking for the waterfalls on Sam Branch and in Wash Hollow. To experience this area fully, you should wear shoes that you don't mind getting wet. Depending on the water level, you may have to wade up to your ankles.

From the parking, walk back up 215 a few yards to the steep path on the left that leads up the bank. Take this trail up and at the top of the bank, bear to the left and take the easy trail which is an old railroad grade. In less than 5 minutes, you'll come to a massive landslide from Helene that washed away a section of the trail. When I visited in mid January 2025, there was still quite a bit of snow and ice, but I was able to make it across the slide with no problems and no trees to climb over. I plan on going back after everything melts to see how it is. One person mentioned that it was a muddy mess when he visited back in October. I'm guessing that in time, enough people will have gone that there will be a very obvious trail. Below is a photo of the landslide looking up from the trail.

Once across the landslide area, pick up the trail again and continue a short distance to where it ends in the middle of the waterfall. The waterfall is a series of cascades heading up the mountain for as far as you can see and is really nice! Unfortunately, there isn't a good view of the waterfall from this side of the creek. There are 2 ways to get across. The first is very obvious. Get down in the creek away from the top of the next drop down stream and either wade or rock hop across to the other side. It's not that far, but remember wet rocks can be slippery! I took the first picture below looking at where you have to cross - behind me is the next drop of the waterfall. The second picture below was take on those rocks in front of the waterfall. They aren't easy to prop a tripod on, but it can be done. The trail picks up on the other side of Sam Branch and ends at the waterfall in Wash Hollow about 100 yards up. You may not notice the trail at first, but look down and you'll see it. The problem is that if the rocks are wet, they'll be slippery and you could go tumbling down the next section of waterfall. Once you are safely across Sam Branch, go a very short distance and look on the left for a steep scramble trail that will take you to the very bottom of the waterfall for the view in the 3rd photo below and the one at the top of this page.

Sam Branch Falls

If you get to the end of the trail at Sam Branch and you're thinking you might die if you attempt to cross, there was another way down before Helene hit. If you are on the trail heading towards the waterfall, there was a side trail on the left just before where the landslide is now. You would have followed it down to about creek level, then around the bend to the base of the falls. When I was there in January 2025, I couldn't go down to check it out because of the snow and ice. It looks like it's still doable once everything thaws, but you might have some trees and debris to climb over. If you make it down, there are also numerous photo ops down stream for the adventurous types. Once at the base of the falls, you'll also notice a creek coming in from the left. This is the creek that Wash Hollow Falls is on and it's a short distance up creek if you care to rock hop up to it. You'll also notice old logging cables at the base of Sam Branch Falls. Look to the left of those and you'll see the scramble trail that I mentioned in the paragraph above that leads up to the trail that will take you the very short distance to Wash Hollow Falls. The next 2 pictures show Wash Hollow Falls at it's extremes. The first was taken during a very dry period and the second was take a day after a lot of rain.

The safest place to view this waterfall from is the rock on the Parkway side of the bridge. For people experienced in scrambling and rock hopping. Cross the road on the parking side of the bridge and see if you can make it down to the creek. There's a small waterfall just below the bridge and lots of exploring to be done below. As always - stay safe!!

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