Crystal Falls Drive
5 mi · ▲ 1,597 ft · 2 hr 28 min
Crystal Falls Drive is a 5-mile out-and-back in Florence Nature Preserve near Gerton, NC. It climbs 1,597 ft, with sections as steep as 19% grade. It scores 69/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Crystal Falls Drive
5 mi · ▲ 1,597 ft · 2 hr 28 min
Elevation 3,030–4,040 ft
Out & Back · Florence Nature Preserve
Trailhead: 35.49347, -82.33817
Weather Sep 4: Light drizzle, high 85°F / low 66° · precip 18% · wind 4 mph · sunrise 7:05 AM · sunset 7:54 PM
- Start at the trailhead, heading W.
- 0.3 miBear left, heading NE.
- 50 ftBear right onto Crystal Falls Drive, heading NE.
- 2.2 miBear right onto Sparkling Springs Road, heading N.
- 50 ftReach the turnaround, then head back the way you came.
- 50 ftBear left onto Crystal Falls Drive, heading NE.
- 0.5 miTurn left, heading S.
- 1.8 miBear left, heading S.
- 50 ftBear right, heading S.
- 0.2 miArrive back at the trailhead.
Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.1 mi in (~2 min). Leave by 7:32 PM for the 7:54 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:11 PM — 9 min before dark. Trailhead visible from the viewpoint
More from this trailhead
- Rattlesnake Knob Observation Point & Orange Viewpoint via Orange Spur Trail 2.6 mi · ▲ 412 ft
- Crystal Falls Drive 5.3 mi · ▲ 1,715 ft
- Sparkling Springs Road via Crystal Falls Drive 5.9 mi · ▲ 1,780 ft
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Hikes near Gerton, North Carolina