Pigpen Falls

Date: Saturday, July 26, 2009
Location / Map

Trails: Foothills
Distance: 1.4 miles
Time: about 1 hour, 45 minutes

Rating: &&& (out of 5)

I read an article about this waterfall, and a friend told me he had been there and that it was a great place to take small kids. The waterfall is on Licklog Creek, very close to the Chatooga river. There is a big shallow wading pool at the base of the falls, with a sandy bottom and an open area for camping / picnicking.

Getting here is half the adventure. It is a little remote, and involves driving about 2 miles on a bumpy gravel road. There were a couple of stream crossings as well. I felt like we were in a Land Rover commerical. Various guidebooks tell you to park at the marked parking area on the right from NIcholson Ford Road. But you can get closer to the trailhead by driving to the end and parking...there is a kiosk where the trail starts.

After parking, it is just 0.7 miles to the falls, on a slight downhill. You pass through a couple of camping areas, and go over a couple of footbridges. Then you'll hear rushing water on your left, at the junction for the Chatooga Trail. Go left, and the falls are just before the footbridge over Licklog Creek.

We had a great time here, and a great picnic afterward!