Lower Falls is a 12-foot waterfall on Slickrock Creek, which forms the Tennessee–North Carolina line in Monroe County, Tennessee. It sits in the Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness and is reached only on foot, by Slickrock Creek Trail.
The falls
Lidar data gives a single drop of about 12 feet, though other estimates put it at about 15 feet, with the creek spilling over two broad ledges into a large plunge pool. The rock that forms the falls is a boulder-and-cobble metaconglomerate.
Getting there
Slickrock Creek Trail #42 is a moderate hike of 6 miles out and back, taking about 3 to 4 hours. Parking is along Ike Branch road at the Calderwood Lake bridge on US 129; from Robbinsville, North Carolina, drive north on US 129 for 15 miles and turn left onto Ike Branch just before the bridge. The route passes cascades and a tributary waterfall, and a steep scramble path drops to the base of the falls. The land is national forest in the Cheoah Ranger District.
When to go
A creek crossing at about 2.8 miles can be difficult in high water, so plan the trip for lower flows. Spring brings wildflowers along the Slickrock Creek route.
On site
The rocks around the falls are slippery, and the path to the base is a steep scramble. Dogs are permitted.
History and name
The trail along Slickrock Creek follows an old railroad grade, with some of the old ties still in place.
Nearby
First Creek Falls is about 2.2 miles away, Bear Creek Falls about 2.5 miles across the state line, and Calderwood Cascade about 2.9 miles.
Distances are straight-line.