2. Hiking Adventures

Mt Airy Creek and Big Creek

Describes a hike to Mt Airy Creek and Big Creek in Union County
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From Cooper Gap Road, drive a total of 0.5 miles and park on the left, next to FR 274. FR 274 is gated and listed on the Forest Service's website as "Not Open To The Public".
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From Cooper Gap Road, drive a total of 0.5 miles and park on the left, next to FR 274. FR 274 is gated and listed on the Forest Service's website as "Not Open To The Public".

  • "Hiding in Plain Sight". Located in the same area as Canada Creek, this old saying best describes the waterfalls along Mt Airy Creek and Big Creek. Judging from the plethora of trails, lots of folks go by these waterfalls on a regular basis. I am not aware of any media posting about the waterfalls along the creeks but, since I am not on FB, I don't know about that venue.
  • Take Canada Creek Road off Cooper Gap Road. Canada Creek Road begins as a paved road and turns to gravel in 0.2 miles as it enters the National Forest and becomes FR 435.
  • From Cooper Gap Road, drive a total of 0.5 miles and park on the left, next to FR 274. FR 274 is gated and listed on the Forest Service's website as "Not Open To The Public".
  • The marker needs some new decals.
  • The gate was open today.
  • The road shows signs of recent grading and would certainly be drivable.
  • But it is only a short walk to the trail. Take the trail to the left.
  • The trail is wide and well used.
  • And well maintained. By whom; I don't know.
  • Bear right.
  • It is a one mile, easy walk to a quasi-gorge on Mt Airy Creek that houses a collage of beautiful waterfalls. The first (farthest upstream) drop has a lot of debris.
  • Just downstream is a fifty yard long cascade bracketed by two 20 foot waterfalls. This waterfall is the one farthest downstream.
  • Probably a little higher than 20 feet.
  • This picture is a poor attempt to show the cascade directly on top of the waterfall. The cascade is much more impressive than this picture implies.
  • This shot taken from about half way up the cascade is much better.
  • This is the waterfall at the top of the cascade. More than twenty feet high.
  • Continuing downstream on the River Right, follow the well used trail along Mt Airy Creek and cross the creek.
  • Now on River left, follow the trail(s) to Mt Airy's confluence with Justus Creek. Together, they form Big Creek. Cross Justus Creek and head down the River Left side of Big Creek. The logging road-based-trail is easy to follow MOST of the way. I lost it a couple of times as it abruptly changes elevation so, a couple of times, you may have to poke around.
  • You have to cross Big Creek twice before reaching the ridge on River Left directly above this beauty. Leave the road and scramble down to the bottom.
  • f 4.0, 1/00 sec, ISO 3200
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