Hike Description

Take FR 5361 beyond the gate. The first 4.5 miles of the hike follow this old logging road on a moderate, winding, undulating course. The biggest problem is figuring out exactly where to leave the road and climb down the bank to the falls. There are no good indicators, and it’s impossible to guess when you’ve hiked 4.5 miles. I’ll mention a few landmarks along the way and try to give you enough information to pick the right spot to leave the road.

After 0.95 mile, you’ll cross Kagle Branch and start skirting the southwest flank of Kagle Mountain. At 1.98 miles, you’ll swing left around a ridge where a flat, open area is on the outside of the curve. In another 0.9 mile, make a left swing around a ridge with a flat, open area to the right. You’ll do the same thing for a third time in another 0.88 mile. At this point, you’re about 3.76 miles from the trailhead. To the northwest are views of the imposing cliffs of Cedar Rock Mountain.

At 0.63 mile from the open area, you’ll cross a small stream that may not have much flow in summer. In another 110 yards, you’ll swing around a dry drainage. Just under 0.1 mile from the drainage, make a sharp left swing around a ridge. The GPS reading for this point is N35.24288, W-82.78928 . Continue on the road for about 135 feet, then turn right and follow the drainage down to Kuykendall Creek. There is no trail, but you should come out close to the falls if you head toward the sound of falling water. It’s less than 0.2 mile down to the falls. It’s steep, and once you reach the creek you’ll have to wade through dog hobble and rhododendron.

On my last visit, there was flagging tape marking a route down the ridge. But that route doesn’t lead to the falls. You can follow the ridge down to the creek, but you’ll come out below the falls and have to do a lot more bushwhacking.