Turf Part 1

We left the Raleigh area early on Friday for a weekend of whitewater, hiking, and waterfalls. To break up the long drive out, we stopped to view some waterfalls on the way. Our first stop was Toms Creek Falls in North Cove just north of Marion. Exiting the interstate at exit 86, we headed north on US-221 for a few miles and turned onto Huskins Branch Road and then just over a mile drive to the parking lot before crossing Toms Creek. From the parking lot, there is a short, 1/2 mile hike to the falls. Toms Creek is a beautiful, 60-foot cascade and we spent some time enjoying the waterfall and taking photos.

We also stopped to check out the mica mine next to the falls and picked up a couple of souvenirs

Then we headed back and drove back towards Marion and stopped for lunch at Subway.  Back on the interstate, we headed towards Asheville and then headed north on I-26 and back into Pisgah National Forest, to the Big Ivy or Coleman Boundary area. After entering the forest, Dillingham Road (Forest Service Road 74) becomes gravel, narrow, and windy so the 8 mile drive to the end was quite long. But very scenic. We passed Snake's Den Rock, a giant cliff along the side of the road and made a stop at Walker Falls, a waterfall right on the side of the road.

Then we finished up the drive to the end and parked. The 0.5 mile trip to Douglas Falls from the parking area actually took less time than the drive in. Although the water flow was a little low, Douglas Falls was quite beautiful nonetheless.

A 70-foot straight drop over a cliff, Douglas Falls is beautiful even when not flowing heavily.

And it is possible to walk behind the falls to see it from different angles.

The trail continues on, eventually leading to Craggy Gardens on the Blue Ridge Parkway, but we needed to get going. So back to the cars and along the gravel road. Passing Snake's Den Rock, some people were getting ready to climb.  Finally, we made it back to paved roads and continued on I-40 just past the state line into Tennessee and to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. A storm had recently passed through, knocking down a tree on a small road leading to the park. Some men were out with chainsaws cutting the tree up and I tried to go around, but got stuck in the mud! Luckily, the men helped push me out and we continued to the park. Since no one else had arrived yet, Sandy and I headed to Cosby for dinner at Carver's Apple House. I had eaten here before and knew it would be a good dinner. By the time we made it back to the Cosby camping area, most of the rest of the group had arrived. We set up the tent and then hung out around the campfire for a bit before getting to bed.