The Buffalo Creek Upper Boulders Trail: A Hidden Gem of Rutherford County
In June 2023, the CCC received a generous grant of $22,288 from the Rutherford County Tourism Development Authority (TDA) for the development and maintenance of the Buffalo Creek Upper Boulders Trail, located in the Town of Lake Lure. Our organization has also received major support for Buffalo Creek from RHI Legacy Foundation and REI Asheville, with an estimated total donation for this project totaling over $50,000!
The Upper Boulders Trail Project
Over the course of the past year, a lot has been accomplished at Buffalo Creek. Our C4 team along with over 400 amazing volunteers have contributed a total of 4,000+ hours to the project. The Upper Boulders Trail is now open to the public. The trail is located in the northeast reaches of Hickory Nut Gorge within Rutherford County, and is a hidden gem waiting to be explored.
Discovering the Trail
The Buffalo Creek Upper Boulders Trail is located in a picturesque area renowned for its natural beauty. This newly developed trail offers climbers, hikers and nature lovers the opportunity to explore a unique and beautiful trail featuring pristine boulders and crags, stunning summit views, lush greenery, and the tranquil sound of flowing water from Buffalo Creek. Buffalo Creek Park also has a loop trail with a separate boulder field, and mountain biking opportunities along the Weed Patch Mountain Trail.
Trail Features and Highlights
The Buffalo Creek Upper Boulders Trail is a - moderately difficult hike, with 800 feet of elevation gain over its 2.6 miles (5.2 miles round trip from the current parking lot).
Geology and Climbing
The trail boasts unique rock formations, including massive boulders and small crags. The rock is believed to be Henderson Gneiss, reminiscent of nearby Rumbling Bald. Over 150 established boulder problems from Vo-V8 exist in the park, with many more to go. 20+ roped climbs have been established with more potential for first ascents as well. This trail will not only provide access to hundreds of boulder problems and dozens of routes, but it will also serve as an incredible resource for outdoor recreation by hikers, trail runners, birders, and more in Hickory Nut Gorge. The boulder problems in this are are now listed in the New WNC Boulders guidebook. 100% of proceeds of this guide will be donated back to the CCC!
Come Out and Experience Buffalo Creek’s Upper Boulders Trail
The Buffalo Creek Upper Boulders Trail is a true gem tucked away in Rutherford County. Thanks to the C4 trail crew, CCC volunteers, and the generous support of Rutherford County TDA, RHI Legacy Foundation and REI Asheville, this trail is now accessible to all. Whether you're seeking an FA,, hoping for a more remote and less travelled climbing experience, or just some serenity in nature, this trail has something for everyone. We’ll see ya out there! Learn more about Buffalo Creek here.
