Mouse Creek Falls
Height of Falls: 45′
Round-Trip Hike: 4.0 mi.
Difficulty: Moderate / Half-Day
Mouse Creek Falls is located on the far side of Big Creek. The falls are 45 feet in height. A four-mile round-trip hike is required to get to the falls and back, and the trip is considered moderate in difficulty. It generally takes between two and three hours to hike to the waterfall and back.
Big Bear Trail follows an old railroad grade which was used to haul lumber out of the mountains during the logging boom at the beginning of the 20th century. At 1.4 miles, the trail passes Midnight Hole, a deep pool that lies below a six-foot falls. At 2.1 miles, a short side-trail on the left leads to a bench where hikers can rest and take in the view of Mouse Creek Falls.
To access the trailhead of Big Creek Trail, exit I-40 at Waterville Road (#451). Turn left after crossing the Pigeon River and proceed 2.3 miles to an intersection. Continue straight past the ranger station to a large parking area at the end of the road.