June 6, 2023
Upper Falls Via Panther Creek Trail
After six years of Forest Service postings on the Panther Creek Trail's hazards from use and weather, we decided to check it out and revisit this trail and waterfall. We were not disappointed. The trail overall is in pretty good condition. Yes, it does have lots of rocks and roots for the first mile or so, but then it transitions into a fairly smooth and easy trail. This section is followed by some potentially hazardous rock-hopping and treks along some narrow rock ledges guarded by wire rope railing. The final descent to the base of the falls is actually quite easy with a set of rock steps leading down. There are two bridges across Panther Creek and its tributary that are out, but they can be crossed by shallow wading, or in our case, rock-hopping. Other than the "technical" aspects, as Heather refers to, of the narrow ledges and wet crossings, this is a fairly easy hike and worth taking since you have pleasant creek sounds for most of the hike and a really beautiful waterfall to view. There were a number of wildflowers. We did encounter one small turtle on the trail as well as a water snake sunning on a large boulder in the creek. Another great day for a hike!
Show less
The route
7.8 mi · 932 ft climbing · 5h 23m out, 4h 29m walking · 1.7 mph moving
Elevation
Hover over the profile to see the elevation and steepness. Your position will be shown on the map.
- Steepness
- Gentle under 5%
- Moderate 5–10%
- Steep 10–15%
- Very steep over 15%
27 photos are shown on the map where they were taken — click one to see it full size.
Photos (30)
Rich Brown taking a photo of the beautiful Panther Creek Falls Today's hikers (L-R) Back: Jane and Squirt, Rich, Shelia, Rex, Gary, Ken, Vic, Jenny, John; Front: Greta, Three Monkeys: See No Evil Heather, Hear No Evil Beth M. and Speak No Evil Beth H. and... "A hiking we will go . . ." A little rooty and rocky, but it is used a lot. Late blooming various Mountain Laurel A rocky ledge to pass under near the start. Other wildflowers near the beginning of the trail : UL- ???; UR- Stripped Wintergreen; LR-Wild Geranium; LL-Summer Bluet Trail markings installed help locate lost or injured hikers on this trail. A little rock-hopping to cross that first site with the bridge out. Panther Creek or its tributary is always near by. More wildflowers: L-Fire Pink; UR-Carolina Rose; LR-Spiderwort Mr. Eastern Box Turtle greeting us along our path. Heather headed across the second missing bridge crossing. Now if we could just move this bridge back into place! Just so much pretty water along this trail. Rich caught this water snake sunning itself on a rock in the creek. A picturesque clump of Maidenhair Fern Time to cross the rock ledges just upstream from the falls. A large clump of Jack-in-the-Pulpit A first view of Panther Creek Falls Silky Dogwood Break time by Panther Creek Falls A nice set of rock steps that exit out of the falls. The view of the Panther Creek Falls Rich was photographing in the lead hike photo. Headed back . . . you have to be careful on some of the sections of this trail. Jane is using a rope to let herself down this washed out area. Gotta recross the same creeks on the way back. Beth made it safely across this one, but what about the next one Beth? Squirt just doesn't understand why people just don't just jump in. Not a lot of fungus today. It's been pretty dry. Virginia Sweetspire Squirt says, "Let's get this hike over with! I'm tired."