Tuesday morning, we broke camp and left Lazy J's. We headed towards Hendersonville and drove Big Hungry Road into Green River Gamelands. Our first stop was off Gallimore Road by the Narrows put in. A gated road led down along a tributary of Hungry River. There was a scenic little cascade right at the start.
Where the old road curved left, we bushwhacked right and down to the tributary at the base of Case Falls.
It was a pretty nice waterfall for such a small tributary but there was a lot of downfall over it. Probably a little nicer in high water. After a couple pictures, we headed back and continued driving down Big Hungry Road to the Long Ridge Trailhead parking area. We inadvertently started hiking Long Ridge Trail, but realized our mistake and backtracked to the parking area. We then took the gated road to the right through a couple fields to Bishop Branch Trail. Turning left here, we soon passed the top of Emily Falls and a short scramble path led to the base.
Emily Falls is only 12 feet high, but very scenic. Heading back, we made a stop just across the bridge over Hungry River. A scramble path led down to the river next to some cascades.
But upstream of the bridge was Upper Waterfall on Hungry River.
It's a long cascade just below a dam. I understand that the dam will be removed some time in the future. After a couple pictures, we left and headed to towards Lake Lure.
Where the old road curved left, we bushwhacked right and down to the tributary at the base of Case Falls.
It was a pretty nice waterfall for such a small tributary but there was a lot of downfall over it. Probably a little nicer in high water. After a couple pictures, we headed back and continued driving down Big Hungry Road to the Long Ridge Trailhead parking area. We inadvertently started hiking Long Ridge Trail, but realized our mistake and backtracked to the parking area. We then took the gated road to the right through a couple fields to Bishop Branch Trail. Turning left here, we soon passed the top of Emily Falls and a short scramble path led to the base.
Emily Falls is only 12 feet high, but very scenic. Heading back, we made a stop just across the bridge over Hungry River. A scramble path led down to the river next to some cascades.
But upstream of the bridge was Upper Waterfall on Hungry River.
It's a long cascade just below a dam. I understand that the dam will be removed some time in the future. After a couple pictures, we left and headed to towards Lake Lure.
We first stopped at the visitor center at Chimney Rock State Park to get Alex's passport stamped.
Then we drove to the Eagle Rock access. I had gotten a parking permit so we could visit this new area of the park. We hiked the Weed Patch Mountain Trail up to Eagle Rock in just a half-mile. Climbing up the rocks, there were fantastic views all around.
From here, the trail started heading down the mountain. Just about a mile from the trailhead, the Tunnel Trail split to the right and we followed this short trail towards the base of Eagle Rock. Right at the end, the trail goes through natural tunnel in the rock.
It was cool to see Eagle Rock from the base.
We continued on Weed Patch Mountain for about another mile and stopped at a creek crossing for a break.
The trail continues for over 8 miles to Buffalo Creek Park in Lake Lure, but we weren't going that far. After our break, we headed back to the car and started making the drive home.
We stopped in Burlington for dinner at Cancun Mexican Restaurant, one of the few Mexican restaurants with outdoor seating so we could dine with Alex. The fajitas were great! It was less than an hour from here to get home.
Then we drove to the Eagle Rock access. I had gotten a parking permit so we could visit this new area of the park. We hiked the Weed Patch Mountain Trail up to Eagle Rock in just a half-mile. Climbing up the rocks, there were fantastic views all around.
From here, the trail started heading down the mountain. Just about a mile from the trailhead, the Tunnel Trail split to the right and we followed this short trail towards the base of Eagle Rock. Right at the end, the trail goes through natural tunnel in the rock.
It was cool to see Eagle Rock from the base.
We continued on Weed Patch Mountain for about another mile and stopped at a creek crossing for a break.
The trail continues for over 8 miles to Buffalo Creek Park in Lake Lure, but we weren't going that far. After our break, we headed back to the car and started making the drive home.
We stopped in Burlington for dinner at Cancun Mexican Restaurant, one of the few Mexican restaurants with outdoor seating so we could dine with Alex. The fajitas were great! It was less than an hour from here to get home.
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