Along Falls Lake, the MST is often close to the water, and when lake levels are high, low-lying sections of the trail may be flooded. This guide is intended to help determine whether a particular trail section is passable at current water levels.
Caution: This guide was created using the best digital data currently available to us. These data are inherently subject to error, and conditions on the trail might differ. If you discover flooding where this page says there should not be, please reconfirm that the lake level has not risen since you last checked, and if not, please note the location and contact us at info@mountainstoseatrail.org. (GPS coordinates are best if possible – see our Trail Issue Reporting page for tips on how to record them.)
In addition, as the lake recedes from high water levels, it often leaves behind standing water or muddy areas that can make the trail impassable. Finally, this guide does not take into account potentially flooded streams that could affect the trail.
Current and historical information about lake levels and other measurements can also be accessed at waterdata.usgs.gov/monitoring-location/02087182.
The table below shows the lowest trail elevation for each section of the MST along Falls Lake. If the current lake level is at or near the listed elevation, you can expect some water on the trail, although it may still be passable.
- Red signifies the lowest elevation on the trail section is at or below the latest water level reading, indicating likely flooding
- Yellow signifies it is from 0-1 foot above the latest water reading, indicating the possibility of flooding
- Green signifies it is 1 foot or more above the latest water reading, indicating flooding is unlikely
(If you’re not sure how to identify the section you’re interested in, our interactive map can help.)
From west to east:
| Trail Section | Elevation (ft) |
|---|---|
| Old Oxford Rd. to Red Mill Rd. (North) | 257 |
| Red Mill Rd. (North) to Red Mill Rd. (Ellerbe Creek) | 253 |
| Red Mill Rd. (Ellerbe Creek) to Redwood Rd. & Tom Clark Rd. | 256 |
| Tom Clark Rd. & Tom Clark to E. Geer St. | 258 |
| E. Geer St. to Redwood Rd. (Panther Creek) | 255 |
| Redwood Rd. to Redwood Rd. (Panther Creek Loop) | 254 |
| Redwood Rd. (Panther Creek) to Hereford Rd. | 259 |
| Hereford Rd. to Hereford Rd. | 254 |
| Hereford Rd. to Cheek Rd. | 257 |
| Cheek Rd. to Baptist Rd. | 252 |
| Baptist Rd. to NC 98 @ Lick Creek | 252 |
| NC 98 @ Lick Creek to Boyce Mill Rd. | 256 |
| Boyce Mill Rd. to NC 50 | 257 |
| NC 50 to New Light Rd. | 256 |
| New Light Rd. to Shinleaf Recreation Area | 266 |
| Shinleaf Recreation Area to NC 98 | 255 |
| NC 98 to Six Forks Rd. at Hickory Hill Boat Ramp | 257 |
| Six Forks Rd. to Six Forks Rd. (Blue Jay Point County Park) | 257 |
| Six Forks Rd. to Bayleaf Church Rd. | 256 |
| Bayleaf Church Rd. to Possum Track Rd. | 253 |
| Possum Track Rd. to Dead end of Possum Track Rd. | 253 |
| Dead end of Possum Track Rd. to Raven Ridge Rd. | 258 |
| Raven Ridge Rd. to Falls Lake Dam | 257 |
