RATtreks

Martin Creek Falls – 11-16-2013

These waterfalls have been on ‘the list’ for quite awhile now but, somehow I never seemed to get around to going there. I suppose it could be because they are close by and only a one mile hike to get to them and we always seemed to have bigger fish to fry but, on this day I got up too late to go see any ‘bigger fish’ and knew I would be lucky to have time to reach these falls and get out by dark so it was time to mark this one off ‘the list’. I reached the gated forest service road around 3:30pm and it only took me about 20 minutes to hike the one mile to the falls.

Martin Creek Falls

Luckily the side trail to the falls that leads off to the left side of the old road was marked with some yellow tape as these can be hard to find if you have never been there before. From there it is a short distance down the trail to the falls where the trail comes out at the top of them. The first thing I noticed was the large dam that had been built across the bottom of the falls. After climbing down these 20 foot high falls, I could see that the pool was really not that deep for swimming but, rather it seemed it was created to be a reflecting pool for photography purposes. I also noticed the area around the falls was clean as a pin, obviously groomed in order to make better pictures. There was even a shovel behind a tree there. Regardless, it was nice to see that such care had been taken to make and keep an area so beautiful and I must add that if these falls are to be considered a ‘small fish’ that they are definitely a high quality one as they are very nice. Most all waterfalls lack attractiveness when there is low water flow but, in this case I must say that these are the most attractive falls I have ever seen during low water conditions. I was very happy that I had decided to visit them. It was not a cloudy day but it was late enough in the evening that the sun was not shining anywhere on these falls so I was able to get some half way decent pics while I was there.

Martin Creek Falls

Martin Creek Falls

Martin Creek Falls

Martin Creek Falls

Martin Creek Falls

Martin Creek Falls

Martin Creek Falls

Martin Creek Falls

Martin Creek Falls

Martin Creek Falls

Martin Creek Falls

Martin Creek Falls

After I left the falls I decided to walk further up the road which crosses Martin Creek to locate the trail that leads up the Martin Creek hollow there to join the Appalachian Trail near the top of the mountain at Curly Maple Gap. Once I found this I continued following the road up the other side of the mountain to check out the high ridge I had seen there on the way to the falls. The sun was setting by this time and it cast a warm orange glow on the high knobs making it appear as if there was still some Fall leaf colors there. I could also see the town of Erwin down below off in the distance. It was getting late and would be dark soon so I had to turn around there and get back to the car. I made it out right when it got dark. This is a short but very nice hike and I did get some exercise on the way in as it is uphill. I am sure I will be coming back here again in the future especially when there is higher water levels.

Looking out towards Erwin with the Rich Mountain Range in background

Ridge line on the other side of the Martin Creek Valley

To see the complete set of pics for these falls and more, visit our Photo Gallery here.