Hiking Project Logo

This trail divides the South Mountain State Park in North Carolina into its north and south parts.


Your Rating: Rating Rating Rating Rating Rating      Clear Rating
Your Difficulty:
Your Favorites: Add To-Do · Your List
Zoom in to see details
Map Key

3.8

Miles

6.2

KM

Point to Point

2,500' 762 m

High

1,807' 551 m

Low

790' 241 m

Up

313' 96 m

Down

5%

Avg Grade (3°)

22%

Max Grade (12°)

Dogs Unknown

Features Fall Colors · River/Creek · Views

This trail is used by hikers, runners, bikers, and equestrians.

Description

From the Cicero Family Campground parking area, look for the sign to the Hemlock Nature Trail and Raven Rock Trail. Follow the trail markers for the Raven Rock Trail across the bridge over the Jacob's Fork Riiver and up a fairly steep climb on Raven Rock Trail. The trail proceeds upward for about 1.5 miles to the trail junction for the Raven Rock Trail and the start of the Upper Falls Trail.

Upper Falls begins with a descent through a hardwood and pine forest for .5 miles to Jacob's Creek. Here a wet stream crossing is required through the creek. You may encounter people fly fishing up and downstream as you make your crossing. Once across the stream, you'll immediately emerge into the Upper Falls backpacking/tent only camping grounds. The trail runs through the middle of this 5 tent site camp and starts its ascent.

The climb is steep, at this point, and stays that way for about a mile. The path, however, is wide with a surface that is free of roots and large rocks. The trail passes through a hardwood and pine forest, up to a mountain ridge line where it provides vistas of the South Mountains in both directions. The trail stays on the ridge line, continually climbing until it ends on the Lower CCC Trail.

The Upper Falls Trail is shared by horses, hikers, runners, and bikers.

Contacts

Shared By:

Charles Pulse

Trail Ratings

  3.9 from 9 votes

#11298

Overall
  3.9 from 9 votes
5 Star
33%
4 Star
22%
3 Star
44%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#432

in North Carolina

#11,298

Overall
8 Views Last Month
1,423 Since Mar 29, 2016
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

0%
0%
50%
0%
50%
0%

Photos

Upper Falls
Jun 25, 2021 near Salem, NC
When the trail goes through the water... so do you! This was a gorgeous cut through a shallow creek.
Apr 30, 2019 near Salem, NC
Panoramic View on the Upper Falls Trail.
Apr 30, 2019 near Salem, NC
Overlook!!l
Oct 29, 2019 near Salem, NC
Bridge Jacob branch trail
Oct 29, 2019 near Salem, NC
Some mountains over there
Aug 7, 2018 near Salem, NC

0 Comments

Weather


Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 15 days ago
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Join the Community

Create your FREE account today!
Already have an account? Login to close this notice.

Get Started.