Indian Branch Falls


May 2009

State: West Virginia

Location: Pipestem Resort State Park

Height: 45

Crest: 10

Water Source: Unnamed Creek

Waypoint: 37.52372N 81.0098W

Summary: A scenic plunge falls in Pipestem Resort State Park. Can be reached by a nice hike, or by a short walk from a back road access. Views are limited. Despite its name it is not located on Indian Branch.

Indian Branch Falls is a classic plunge 45' falls. Despite its name it is not actually located on Indian Branch, but on an unnamed stream north of Indian Branch. Unfortunately there is only one vantage point from which to view the falls, located to the side but high above the falls. The gorge walls are very shear, and any attempt to get down into the gorge here would be extremely foolhardy.

There are supposedly other drops on this stream, one of which is over 60', as it makes its way down to Bluestone River. Reaching any of these is very difficult.

The falls can be reached by a 1.5 mile hike one way along the County Line Trail starting at the Nature Center in Pipestem Park. It can also be reached from the Canyon Rim Center by means of the River Trail and the County Line Trail. If you are not interested in the hike, the falls can also be reached by car. From Route 20, turn west onto Pine Grouve River Road, which is about 1 mile south of the main entrance to the park. Follow this road for 1.5 miles and turn right onto River Road. Google Maps marks this road as "Bluestone-Pine Grove Road", and some directions indicate it is unnamed, but in May 2009 there was a sign naming it "River Road." Follow this road for a bit over a mile. Right where the road splits, continue straight, not to the left where it fords the stream. The road quickly ends at a gate, which is visible from where the road splits. Park at the gate, and walk a short distance to the falls overlook.

Nearby Falls

As mentioned, there are some more drops downstream of this one. There are supposedly a number of other difficult to reach falls in Bluestone Park as streams tumble their way down to the river. For all I know, there is a waterfall on the actual Indian Branch.

A few miles north on Route 20 you will find Pipestem Falls. Brush Creek Falls and Whiteoak Creek Falls are both 7 miles to the south and west.

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Last Modified: Tuesday, 14-Aug-2012 20:27:08 MDT.

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