Raven Cliff - FS 197

Total Miles
1.5

Technical Rating

1

Easy

Best Time

Spring, Summer, Fall

Trail Type

Full-Width Road

Accessible By

Trail Overview

Raven Cliff is a scenic Forest Service road that follows Upper Creek, offering stunning views of the water along the way. The trail features sandy beaches, small rocky waterfalls, and rapids, with numerous walking paths leading to the river's edge for swimming, rock climbing, fishing, and playing in the sand. Many of these areas also include campsites equipped with fire pits, seating, and tables, making them ideal for tent camping. While some sections of the road are narrow, most campsites have designated pull-offs or parking areas to accommodate multiple vehicles. Additionally, some sites are pull-in spots, allowing for vehicle camping as well. At the end of the trail, the road transitions into a walking path that leads to Burnthouse Branch Falls, a picturesque 50-foot waterfall cascading over moss-covered, jagged rocks.

Photos of Raven Cliff - FS 197

Raven Cliff - FS 197
Raven Cliff - FS 197

Difficulty

This Forest Service road is well-maintained and primarily composed of hard-packed gravel, making for smooth and easy travel. Most of the trail is accessible to a wide range of vehicles, though there are a few small ruts and exposed roots that can generally be avoided. Some campsites may have minor muddy puddles, which could pose a slight challenge for certain vehicles but are unlikely to be a major issue.

Technical Rating

1

Access Description

To get to Raven Cliff, take Mortimer Piedmont FS-982, Coming from the southwest, riders will go over a large bridge, and the turn-off will be immediately to the left. Coming from the northeast, the turn-off will be on. the right shortly before the large bridge towards the end of the trail.

Raven Cliff - FS 197 Map

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