Three Forks Clayton -- Hike, Waterfall Glory, and Swimming

Note: if you are meeting at the event, note that there is only room for a small number of cars at the trailhead. So please meet us at the Ingles in Clayton at 9:45 so we can combine people and minimize the number of cars parking at the trailhead.

This is a favorite hike of mine with great options for places to swim. And wonderful, glorious waterfalls. Also expect the rhododendrons to be in bloom! We will start the hike from the Three Forks Trailhead at John Teague Gap, hiking east bound for about a mile down to our first waterfall on Holcomb Creek. We will navigate across the creek (hopefully not having to take off our shoes) and take a very difficult and hard to find trail down to Three Forks, named as such because it is the confluence of three creeks -- Big Creek, Overflow Creek, and Holcomb Creek. You will see two more waterfalls at this area (the lower falls on Holcomb Creek, and the lower falls on Big Creek). We will have to rock hop or wade across Overflow creek and then essentially bush whack upstream on Big Creek (there is an old trail bed, but it will be difficult to follow). Eventually we will find ourselves on the Upper Falls on Big Creek (pictured) and a good option for a swim.

After a good break we will continue (finally back on a trail) to the Falls at Overflow Creek. This is another great swimming hole that we will try out. After another swim break, we will take the trail back to Three Forks and back track to our cars.

Although this is only an 8 mile hike, you will get in about 2000 feet of elevation gain and some really tricky terrain that will require skills in scrambling up and down rocky and hilly terrain, including creek crossings and possibly navigating through fallen trees. So this will be on the high side of a D4. You should be in good physical condition in order to do this event. But ... you will be rewarded with 5 glorious waterfalls, beautiful rhodedendrons, and some cool/cold swimming.

Click here for a map of the route.

From the city of Clayton, head east on Warwoman Road (which is right next to Ingles). Travel for 13.8 miles and turn left onto Overflow Creek Road (Forest Service Road 86). Drive for 3.3 miles on the dirt road and stay right at the fork. Go another 0.5 miles to the trail head on park on the right.