Rose
River
67
feet
2.6
miles Roundtrip
1
hour
This
is a moderate hike to a really nice waterfall, especially after a
rain. You will be starting this hike by parking at the Fishers Gap
Overlook, mile 49.4. Please don't park on the fire road. You will
need to walk to the north end of the parking lot. You will cross the
Drive and walk down to a fire road and the trailpost. This starts
out as a horse trail and be sure to give any horses the "right
of way" for the next 0.5 mile. You will reach another trailpost
at which you will proceed straight as the horse trail turns left.
After 0.4 mile you will come to another trailpost, which you will
turn right for 0.3 mile to the falls. You will have numerous view
points for the falls. To complete this hike, retrace your steps.
Dark
Hollow Falls
70
feet
1.4
mile roundtrip
1
hour
This
waterfall hike is the most visited falls in the park. It is the
easiest to get to and the hike itself is a moderate one. But the
trail will be very crowded and you may want to schedule this hike
very early or on an "off" day but, it is a very pretty
hike and worth the trouble. Note: Some of the views are restricted
by fallen trees that fell during an ice storm.
You
will be parking at the Dark Hollow Falls parking Area at mile 50.7.
Proceed to the north end of the parking lot to the large trailhead
map. You will cross a stone bridge and at the halfway point you will
start to hike switchbacks. A few are steep but not too many. When
you reach the 0.6 mile mark, the is a platform that you can view the
tope of the falls from. If you descend another 0.1 mile you will
find another neat view from below the falls. I think the best view
of the falls is from below. To complete this hike, retrace your
steps.
Lewis
Falls
81
feet
2
miles roundtrip
1-1/2
hour
This
waterfall hike can be difficult because of the steep and rocky
sections but, it is only a 2 mile roundtrip hike. If you take your
time, it is well worth it. you will be parking beside the service
road that is south of Big Meadows at mile 51.4. This is beside the
Rapian Fire road. There is only a few spaces for parking, but it
never seems to be crowded. You will follow the service road downhill
for 0.3 mile until you cross a horse trail and then the A.T. You
will reach a spring coming from a pipe on the left (note: do not
drink the water unless you purify it first) then you will see Big
Meadows water supply on the hillside to your right. Just past that
you will see a trailpost that begins the Lewis Falls Trail. Turn
left and follow the blue blazes through multiple switchbacks. The
further you go, the rougher the trail will get until you reach the
top of the falls. You will cross a stream and follow the trail
along side the falls. There will be a metal hand rail to help you
along. You will then reach the rock walled overlook for a great
view. To complete this hike you will need to retrace your
steps.
Travel
Central District Waterfall Hikes
