Easter Hike at Eno River

On Easter, I had scheduled a MST hike along the Eno River, continuing the hikes along the MST in the Triangle since finishing the Falls Lake Trail. Despite the poor forecast and the fact that most of the hikers dropped out, I decided to hike anyway. Driving to Durham, the rain was pretty heavy and I was having second thoughts about the hike, but by the time I got to West Point on the Eno, the rain had lightened to a drizzle. I met up with Jim and Kevin and we headed out, crossing the footbridge over the river and hiking off on the MST.

Almost immediately, we came to a stream crossing right at the dam. Normally, the water level is lower and its easy to rock-hop across, but today the water level was much higher. We walked up and down the creek and found a board leading mostly across the creek and were able to cross there and continued our hike. The rain seemed to really bring out the critters. We saw a couple of toads hanging out in the puddles that had formed on the trail. And we found a deer skull along the trail and a deer ribcage in the river. The rain was lightening up and by the time we reached Guess Road, the rain had completely stopped. Before, we would have had to go up to the street and cross Guess Road, a dangerous crossing, but now there was a path under the bridge and leading up to the road to cross the river on the sidewalk. A good trail safety improvement, so hikers don't have to play Frogger crossing the road. Then, we headed into Eno River State Park. A little ways down the trail, Jim spotted a "red eft", the juvenile stage of an Eastern newt.

He was bright orange in color, with small red spots, and very small. I got a good picture of him, but I should have put a coin or something in the picture for perspective of how small this guy was. A little further on, we saw another crossing the trail and heading into a small stream. And long the trail, there were a ton of may apples, although not in bloom.

A sign, though, that these and other wildflowers will be coming to life soon. We even saw an owl high in a tree along the trail. Wow, the rain really brought the wildlife out!

We stopped at Pump Station and walked around a bit, checking out the ruins, and resting for a short snack, before making our way back. Back in West Point, we saw several turkey vultures perched in the trees near the shore.

So what I was worried would end up being a miserable hike in the rain, turned out to be a fantastic hike in pretty decent weather and great wildlife viewing. Moral of the story - don't give up because of the threat of poor weather; sometimes the bad weather days are the best hikes of all.

Upper Sols and Flat Creek Falls

Sunday morning, we packed up camp and stopped at Catheys Creek Falls again, this time at the actual trail, so LeAnna could go down and see the falls.

Then we headed to past Lake Toxaway on NC-281 to the "Little Canada" area. From NC-281, we turned on Charley's Creek Road and drove a short ways to a pulloff on the side of the road. Although Casey indicated that there had been some type of "trail" here, we couldn't see anything that even resembled a trail and so started bushwacking down. When we had almost reached the bottom, we could see that there was some rope buried under the leaves. So there was actually a "trail" here; it was just hard to see any signs of it, since they were buried. Arriving along Sol's Creek, we headed upstream just a bit to reach the Upper Waterfall on Sol's Creek. With the large number of rhododendron along the shore, even hiking up along the creek was challenging even though it wasn't terribly steep. I had worn a shamrock hat to celebrate St. Patrick's Day and planned to wear it all day, but with constantly ducking under trees, rocks, and branches, I decided it was too much trouble and took the hat off. At one point, I tried to climb up a steep section and realized I might fall here. So I let LeAnna get ahead of me, so I wouldn't crash into her again. And sure enough, following her up this part, I slipped and fell back down. But I made it on the second try, and shortly thereafter made it to the falls. This was a very pretty waterfall, probably over 50 feet for the main drop.

And it's possible to climb up on the rocks and get close to the side of the falls.

I put the shamrock hat back on for a shot with the falls and then we made our way back. Climbing back up the mountain was a little easier using the ropes and knowing they were under the leaves made them easier to find. From here, we drove back to NC-281 and headed back towards Lake Toxaway, making a turn on Rock Bridge Road, an old gravel road that leads into Nantahala National Forest. The road dead-ended at Flat Creek and we began hiking from here. We immediately had to cross a creek - there were a couple old logs to walk across the creek, but I opted to wade across, since the logs didn't look very stable. The trail followed an old logging road for a bit, then ducked onto a very primitive trail through dense rhododendrons. After a bit, it came back out on a logging road and started gradually heading downward until there were a couple of switchbacks leading down to Flat Creek. We had two more stream crossings before getting close to the falls. Through the trees, we could see Flat Creek Falls in the distance. Unfortunately, it was not possible to get close enough for a good view of the falls. The water level was much higher and rock-hopping would not have been safe. I tried wading up the creek as far as I could go, but had to stop when I reached a cascade.

So despite all the effort, we weren't able to really see Flat Creek Falls, which is an exceptionally beautiful falls according to Casey. After a few frustrating minutes of trying to figure out a safe way to go further upstream, we gave up and started making the trip back. The uphill portions of the logging road were a little tough after all the hiking and bushwacking this weekend, but we finally made it back to the jeep and began the long ride back home to Raleigh.

Hidden Waterfalls in Gorges

Last weekend, we headed back to the Brevard area for another weekend of waterfall hunting. I met up with Casey and LeAnna right after work and we drove out to Brevard, arriving just after sunset. We set up camp at another roadside camping area in Pisgah National Forest, this time along Catheys Creek (KC3), just past the road to Kuykendall group campground. Saturday morning, we woke up and headed out towards Gorges State Park, stopping along the way at Catheys Creek Falls.

This one is right along the side of the road (FR 471) not far from our camping spot. We didn't see the trail leading down the falls and ended up bushwacking to get down. LeAnna gave up and went back to the car, but Casey and I continued on, stopping for a few minutes to take some pictures and then taking the actual trail back up to the road. Then we continued on, heading into Gorges at the Grassy Creek Access area. From the Rainbow Falls parking area, we drove along the Chestnut Mountain Road to Auger Hole Trail. Casey has his 4X4 Jeep - the only way we could drive along Chestnut Mountain Road. This is a very steep and bumpy gravel road that requires a 4X4 with at least 8 inches of clearance. We parked where the road intersects Augur Hole Trail and started hiking up the trail. It's more of an old logging road than a trail, but is limited to non-motor vehicle traffic. After a short while, we had a stream crossing at Bearwallow Creek. The water was very cold, but it wasn't too bad crossing. At least there was a spot to sit down on both sides to take off my boots.

Across the creek, we headed upstream just a bit to see a couple of pretty cascades along Bearwallow Creek, and then went back to the trail and continued on. Initially, the plan was to stop at Lower Bearwallow Falls, then drive to the Frozen Creek Access and hike down the trail from the other side. Casey said the last time he was here, crossing the Toxaway River would have been impossible. But we decided to hike down anyway and check it out.

Today, the water level was much lower and crossing the stream was no trouble at all.  A little ways past the crossing, we hit our first waterfall in the park. From the trail, it was a very difficult bushwack down a steep ridge to Chub Line Falls. Part way down, LeAnna slipped and slid 10 or so feet, catching herself on a down tree. I tried to go out and help, but slid too, crashing into her! Luckily, we were both able to catch ourselves on the down tree. A fall into Chub Line Falls would be fatal for sure.

This waterfall got its name from the fact that it marked how far chub minnows are able to swim up the Toxaway River. Pretty impressive that they can get this far and looking at the falls, it is understandable why they couldn't go further. Although not terribly big, the waterfall was extremely powerful. The Toxaway River is routed through a narrow opening and flows with great force. Unforuntately, it wasn't possible to get below the falls and get a great picture of the whole falls - just a couple looking down from the top of the falls. Trying to go any further downstream from the falls is made impossible by sheer cliff walls. When we were done here, we made the difficult climb back up to Augur Hole Trail and continued on for a ways.  Our next two waterfalls are at the confluence of Maple Spring Branch and Augur Fork Creek. Although there was marking tape and a very faint trail where people had walked before, the trail down to these falls was another challenging bushwack, though probably the easiest of the day. At the bottom, it was a very beautiful site - two very tall waterfalls plunging down cliffs to join together and flow into the Toxaway River. At the bottom, I could get a good view of the waterfall on Augur Fork Creek, but it was hard to see the one on Maple Spring Branch.

So we climbed up a bit and rested on a log in front of the waterfall on Maple Spring Branch.

This was a truly beautiful spot. A great view of one waterfall in front of us up close and turning around, we could see the other across the way.

We ate lunch up on the log and enjoyed the view for a while. The spray from the waterfall supported much plant life and created a wonderful little tropical paradise tucked away in a remote corner of the park. When we finished, we headed back down and then up back to the trail and started back the way we came. After crossing Toxaway River, we stopped for the highlight of the day - Lower Bearwallow Falls. Leaving the trail and hiking a short way along a ridge, some marking tape indicated a steep decent down into a beautiful clearing at the base of the falls.

Lower Bearwallow is about a 40 foot drop with some cascades of rocks towards the bottom. And there is a cliff face along the south side, making for a gorgeous setting. I think this could be my favorite waterfall in North Carolina - it was absolutely beautiful.

We spent some time snapping pictures and enjoying the scene, then made one last bushwack up to the trail and headed back to the jeep. Leaving Gorges, we stopped in Brevard at the Twin Dragons Chine Buffet and had dinner before making our way back to camp.

DuPont State Forest Waterfalls

Sunday morning, we woke up later than expected due to the start of Daylight Saving Time. We broke camp and headed towards DuPont State Forest, stopping on the way at Connestee Falls. Unfortunately, due to development, it's not possible to get a good view of the falls. Although there is a "park" at the real estate office with a boardwalk, the only view is from the top of the falls, which makes it difficult to see. The boardwalk ends at the top of Connestee Falls with a view across to Batson Creek Falls. The two flow together and make a nice double waterfall, but to get a good view, one would need to live in or know someone who lives in the Connestee Falls development. After a few minutes, we continued on to DuPont and parked in the High Falls Access area. Heading down Buck Forest Road, we turned left on High Falls Trail and stopped for a minute at the overlook to see the falls.

High Falls (on Little River - there are several High Falls in the area) is a very impressive waterfall, especially when the water flow is good. The covered bridge on Buck Forest Road goes over the falls and you would think it would make for a nice scene. But its kind of crooked from the perspective of the High Falls overlook, so it seems kind of awkward up there. After a few photos, we continued down the trail to where it meets up with Triple Falls Trail and stopped at the overlook where we had a good view of the three distinct falls.

Actually, to get the best view, we had to climb up some rocks just behind the overlook. This was especially good for shots with people in it, since you can still see the falls behind them. Then we headed down the nearby stairs and climbed out onto the rocks and stopped for a short lunch break and to take some photos.

This spot is just above the lowest section of Triple Falls with a good view of the upper two falls.

After our lunch break, we headed back on the trail and went for a different view of High Falls. We followed an old trail down to the base of the falls to get a close up view of the power of the falls.

It was a little slippery, but I could get a shot looking up at the falls without the bridge visible. Then, we headed back up and took the Covered Bridge Trail for yet another view of High Falls from the top.

There were some people riding horses here - the horses stopped for a drink and then headed over the bridge continuing on Buck Forest Road.

Across the bridge, we hiked down Conservation Road, crossing the Lake Julia Spillway before turning on Bridal Veil Falls Road.

Reaching Bridal Veil Falls, we climbed towards the top of the exposed rock to where we could crawl behind the falls.

Near the top, almost all of the rock was covered in water and very slippery, so we took a trail through the woods to safely reach the top.

Several other people weren't so smart and tried walking up the wet rock, nearly falling. One woman said "I'll dry off if I fall." Yes, but broken bones will take a while to heal!

We crawled behind the falls and went to the other side, and then headed back. On our way out of DuPont, we stopped just outside the forest to see Shoal Creek Falls, a very pretty roadside waterfall.

One more waterfall, before making the long drive back to Raleigh.

Waterfalls along Horsepasture

Next, we headed to Gorges State Park to see some of the waterfalls along the Horsepasture River. From the Grassy Ridge Access area, we hiked down the Rainbow Falls Trail heading out of the park and into Pisgah National Forest. Our first stop was at Rainbow Falls, perhaps one of the most beautiful waterfalls in North Carolina.

Casey and I had been here several times before, but Sandy and the others had not. It's always fun to see the look on people's faces when they see the waterfall for the first time. The water level was much higher than I'm used to seeing in the summer and the waterfall was much more powerful. The area below the falls where I have swam in the past was being pounded with falling water and swimming would have been impossible even if the water was warm enough. Even up on the trail, we were getting wet from the spray, so we didn't go down to the viewing platform to get any closer. Next, we headed up to Turtleback Falls, which was also more powerful than usual.

It was also unusual to see no one there. I've only been here in the summer and there's always a big crowd of people water-sliding down Turtleback. So it seemed strange to see it deserted.

We stopped just upstream of the falls and had lunch. After eating, we headed upstream just a short ways further to the end of the National Forest land for a view of Drift Falls.

This waterfall is on private property and no trespassing is actively enforced. But with the foliage down and a telephoto lens, I was able to get some good shots while staying on National Forest property. Then we turned around and headed back. On the way back, we stopped at two more smaller falls along the Horsepasture River. Hidden Falls is a small waterfall just downstream of Rainbow Falls.

It's not real impressive, but makes for a nice swim hole when the weather is warmer. Surprisingly, there was actually someone swimming here - he must have been freezing! Then we headed down to Stairway Falls. I've seen this one before in the summer when the water levels are lower. But today, with the water up, it looked much more like a stairway.

After we were done here, we headed back to the parking area and made a quick stop at the new Visitor Center for Gorges State Park. They had some great photos of the waterfalls in the park and interesting exhibits on the geology and natural history of the park. From the back deck, there was a nice view of the mountains and gorges to the south, including Sassafras Mountain, the highest peak in South Carolina.

Leaving the park and heading towards South Carolina on NC-281, we stopped at a pullout just before the Thompson River and headed down to see White Owl Falls, a small but very pretty and scenic waterfall. From the pullout, we crossed the street and headed back along NC-281 until the end of the guard rail and hiked down a very short but steep trail to see the falls.

Then we headed to our last waterfall for the day; and the biggest. Just before the South Carolina state line, we stopped at the Whitewater Falls day-use recreation area in Nantahala National Forest. At 411 feet, Upper Whitewater Falls is claimed to be the highest in North Carolina and the eastern US. Walking down the paved trail to the first overlook, there was a great view of Lake Jocassee to the south.

We stopped at the upper overlook then headed down the stairs to the lower overlook, which has the best views of the falls.

Actually, climbing down just below the overlook and out on some rocks provided the best views.

After a few pictures we headed back to the cars as the sun was beginning to set. On the way back to the campsite, we stopped at Hawg Wild BBQ just before entering Pisgah National Forest for dinner.

Waterfalls near Brevard

This past weekend, we headed out to the Brevard area for a couples' weekend of camping, hiking, and waterfalls! We drove up on Friday night and camped out in Pisgah National Forest in the Avery Creek roadside campgrounds near Davidson River campground. Saturday morning, we woke up and started our waterfall adventure with Looking Glass Falls, just up the road from our campground on US-276. This one is right along the side of the road with a few stairs leading down to a viewing area at the base of the falls.

As such, it is one of the most popular waterfalls in the area, but there wasn't a crowd when we arrived while it was still early (and quite cold) in the morning.

After a few photos, we continued on, heading down US-64 past Brevard towards Rosman and turned onto NC-215. Our next stop was the Living Waters Ministry, about 7.5 miles up NC-215 for three more waterfalls. These waterfalls are on private property, but the people at the ministry are kind enough to allow public access to the waterfalls. Heading down the short trail, we immediately came upon the first waterfall.

Here, Shoal Creek and the North Fork of the French Broad River meet up just behind an old mill, with a pretty waterfall on each.

From here, a short quarter-mile trail leads downstream to Bird Rock Falls, which is a smaller waterfall, but within a beautiful setting of a giant rock bluff over the falls. We walked out onto the rocks below the falls, looking up at the massive cliff above us.

Although Bird Rock Falls is not a very big waterfall, the scenery around the falls made it very beautiful.

After a few photos, we headed back. Along the way, I noticed several smaller cascades along the creek between the falls, but it was hard to get out and get a good picture through all trees.

Leaving this area, we drove back to US-64 and out next stop was at Toxaway Falls. We pulled over at the bridge on US-64 and stopped for a few pictures of the falls from above.

The river flows from Lake Toxaway under US-64 and down the bedrock as it continues into Gorges State Park. A major flood in the early 20th century swept past the dam and washed away much of the vegetation leaving exposed bedrock where the river flows downstream. Although it's not possible to get a good picture from the road above the falls, the colorful bedrock was very pretty. Another time, I'd like to try and hike down to get a better view of the falls. The west side of the river is private condos with no public access, but the east side is part of Gorges State Park and as such, its possible to bushwhack down and get a better view.