Mouse Creek Falls & Midnight Hole | Waterfalls of the Great Smoky Mountains, North Carolina

Join me as I hike to Midnight Hole and Mouse Creek Falls in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park!
Beginning at the Big Creek trailhead in North Carolina, this relatively short and easy hike takes us up the Big Creek Trail which follows an old railroad grade from the early 1900's logging operation in the Smokies. This really makes for a nicely graded trail without a lot of obstacles to climb over. Big Creek itself was, well... quite big today due to recent rains. The lovely sounds of the creek were never out of earshot as the trail climbed up following parallel to the creek's route. There were lots of rapids and cascades that were well above their normal levels creating nice pauses along the hike to view the water tumbling over the giant boulders while listening to their louder than normal roar. At about 1.5 miles in we reach the notable Midnight Hole, a 6' waterfall along Big Creek that creates the best swimming hole in the Smokies bar none. During the summer months, crowds of people gather here to jump off of the rocks that help to form the falls into the deep pool below. Today was not one of those day however. The temp was fine but the water level and the rapid flow of water prevented anyone with any amount of sense from wading in as one would surely be swiftly carried downstream to the nearby rapids. That would not make for a fun day!
Another half mile up the trail brings us to Mouse Creek Falls, a very nice 45' waterfall. This is also a nice setting just watching Mouse Creek literally fall into Big Creek. I have been here multiple times through the years and I have never been disappointed. The water levels today though were much higher than I had personally seen before, making for a very full falls. The return trip was largely uneventful but still enjoyable as the music of Big Creek provided a nice soundtrack for the 2 mile trek back down to the car.
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👣 Trail Stats
Trails Hiked: Big Creek Trail
Total Distance Hiked: 4.3 Miles
Total Elevation Gain: 561'
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
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