Toms Creek Falls Best Hike

• Difficulty: Easy
• Total Length: 0.8 mi
• Trail Tread Condition: Few Obstacles
• Climb: Climbs Gently
• Total Elevation Gain: 120 ft
• Trails/Roads Used: Toms Creek
• Hike Configuration: Out-and-back
• Starting point: Parking area just before bridge on Huskins Branch Road, about 8 miles from Marion, NC.
• How to Get There: From Asheville, take I-40 East down the Old Fort Grade. Exit on US 70 - Old Fort at the bottom of the grade. Follow US 70 thru Old Fort 11.5 miles to Marion and the intersection with US 221. Turn left. Go 5.7 miles and turn left on Huskins Branch Road. Be careful - the road sign is small, and this section of 221 is down hill. (If you pass the Woodlawn Motel on your left, you've gone too far). This road turns to gravel and then back to paved. Travel 1.2 miles to the trailhead on the right; you'll see a split-rail fence and a Forest Service trail sign marking the spot.

This hike starts in an old field or homestead, as is evidenced by the even-aged stand of Tuliptrees, as well as the prolific, non-native flowers to your left as you pass the trail sign. The trail follows an old road bed most of the way, and it is generally very easy, save a couple of creek crossings and steep climbs right at the end. The forest is a typical mixed hardwood forest with scattered hemlocks mixed in. Based on the number of them that are growing in the understory, the ratio of hardwoods to hemlocks may swing significantly toward hemlocks if the forest remains unlogged, and if the Hemlock Wooly Adelgid doesn't devastate these stately trees. At this time, the Hemlocks in this area are heavily infested with the Adelgids.

Just after you start, you'll cross a muddy seep, and then see a grand boulder on your right like a sentinel guarding the waterfall's valley. There are many of these boulders and angled rock slabs along the way, and most of them are covered with moss and lichens. Look closely at one of these rocks, and you will likely see lots of embedded mica. Mica is a group of silicate minerals composed of varying amounts of aluminum, potassium, magnesium, iron and - believe it or not - water. In fact, most rocks and minerals contain trace amounts of water, even deep within. Micas form flat, plate-like crystals which cleave into smooth flakes. There are sections of this trail that are completely covered with these flakes, and they shine and glint in the sun. Due to its properties, mica is used as an electrical insulator and also as an insulator from heat. Up the mountain and across the Blue Ridge Parkway from this point is the town of Micaville, where mica is mined extensively and used all over the world.

The trail follows the creek loosely, and at times it is very deeply eroded. A small stream will cross the path in a ditch, and at this point the old roadbed heads up the ridge to the right. Turn left and descend into a campsite here. This is the only intersection on the trail. Proceed up the creek; another smaller tributary emerges from the base of the ridge and crosses the trail. After this is a short, moderately steep climb, then the trail levels. After one more short climb up the bank to the right, you'll be in another campsite with a fantastic view of the approximately 60-foot high falls. You can descend the bank to the base from here, where there is a nice flat area, a gravel and sand bar, and pools great for wading. Be careful on slippery rocks! Do not attempt to reach the top of the falls.

A trail leads downstream on the other side of the creek from here for a few feet to a large gully cut into the mountainside. Follow this gully uphill for a few more feet to the entrance to an old mine tunnel leading downhill and into the mountainside. The walls of the gully tower 50' above you on both sides. A vertical shaft leading into the tunnel leaves an "unnatural bridge" of sorts hanging in midair above you. Water drips from above, and the tunnel is filled with water. Be very alert and careful in this area. Although the tunnel is not vertical, so you don't have to worry about falling straight in - you could walk right back out - don't enter the water. It looks to be very deep. It is not recommended to explore here during freezing and thawing weather, due to the possibility of falling rock.

Return to your vehicle on the same path.