Midnight Hole

Hiking the Smokies in the summer will leave you hot and sweating. Everyone knows after a day of hiking a nice cleansing bath is in order. Why not do both at the same time? The Smokies is a temperate rain forest, which means there is an abundance of crystal clear Mountain rivers and Streams to cool off in. When it comes to hiking and swimming one location reins supreme. Midnight hole!
An easy hike to a small waterfall that funnels down to a beautiful emerald pool. Does it get any better? Actually it does because nearby is a much bigger waterfall called mouse creek falls that you must see while in the area. So, get your 50 SPF, pack those beach towels and let’s take a dip. This is Midnight Hole/Mouse Creek falls with Up N’ Adam Adventures.

Directions:
From Interstate 40 take exit 451. Turn Left after crossing the river and go to the 4-way intersection at about 2 miles. Continue straight at this intersection. The road will narrow, turn gravel, and there will be a sign that you have entered the Smokies. There will be a ranger station on the right. Continue past this a little ways and the Big Creek trail head will be on your right. Parking is just a little past the trailhead., roughly 3 miles from the interstate.
When out exploring in the outdoors please always remember to practice the 7 principles of Leave No Trace. Learn how at www.lnt.org

Hike Description
The hike to Midnight hole and Mouse creek falls begins at the Big Creek Trail head. A rather easy to Moderate 4 mile out and back hike that follows the raging Big Creek has a long history of logging. By the end of World War I most of the area was completely cut away. The main site of the Logging operation, Crestmont, was located at where the parking for the trailhead is today. Today nature has reclaim most of the forest back with Tuliptree, Hemlock, sycamore, and Maple Trees.

• Trail Head Location: Big Creek Trail next to the Big Creek Campground.
• Latitude: 35.75187 Longitude: -83.11016
• Trail Features: Mountian Rivers, Swimming, Waterfalls
• Total Round Trip Miles: 4.0
• Highest Elevation: 2358 ft
• Elevation Gain: 577 ft

Hike Description continued
The Trails has a very shallow up hill grade at an average of 250 feet per mile. The trail starts up above big creek but gradually makes it way to meet and follow the mountain creek. At 1 mile, a steep faint trail on the right leads to the Rock house, a large rock formation visible from the trail. By now you may have notices by the fresh left overs that this trail also is a horse trail. Be careful or you maybe wondering what that smell is on the way home.

Hike Description continued
At 1.4 miles in you will arrive at Midnight hole on the left. At this spot Big Creek funnels down between 2 rocks and drops 6 feet into an amazing emerald pool. This is one of the most popular destinations for swimming and during summer months, will be full by 10am. While you maybe tempted to jump right in to cool off from your hike thus far, we recommend going on a little ways on to mouse creek falls.

At 2.0 miles on your left you will see a Tributary cascading 20' down into big creek. this is Mouse Creek falls. it is a stunning Vista and a must see if you are in this area and if you look close you can see the old logging rail grade.

Hike Description continued
Now its time to head back down to Midnight hole and cool off. However, be warned, cool off is an understatement. This water is cold. However, we do not recommend a slow introduction because that would just be a slow torture. The best to enter is to climb the rocks on the further side of the creek and jump right it all at once. Ah! Refreshing!