White Cliffs and Falls

Sunday, we packed up and said good-bye to Colin and began making our way home.  Heading east, we took US-64 through the Cullasaja Gorge.  There were no cars at the parking for Dry Falls, so we made a quick stop.  After paying the fee, we stopped at the accessible overlook first.

Then we took the paved Dry Falls Trail (#9) down to the waterfall.

It was really flowing today in the high water and we walked all around it.

It was definitely not so dry behind the falls today.  I got a video from behind the veil.

More people started showing up so we took off.

Our next stop was just past Highlands at Whiteside Mountain.  After parking, we got on the Whiteside Mountain Trail (#70) and went right at the split to go up the steep part.  Soon we made it to the top and were treated to fantastic views.

From here, the trail led along the top of the mountain with great views to the south and east.

The Chattooga River Valley was below.  This mountain lies along the continental divide with waters to the north and west draining into Little Tennessee River.

About half way long the trail, there was an interesting depression in the rock that resembled a crater.

It was a really nice trail with lots of views.  Fencing along the cliff edge was erected for safety.  Fortunately, Alex has no interest in going near the edge.

At the north end of the trail, we had one last view looking towards Cashiers.

Then it was a gentle descent on an old road back to the parking area.

We had one last stop to make on our way home at Whitewater Falls Recreation Area.  Walking through the parking area, there was a nice view of Lake Jocassee across the state line in South Carolina.

A paved path led to the upper overlook for Upper Whitewater Falls, claimed to be the highest waterfall in the east, though that is debatable.

Stairs led down to the overlook with the best views of the falls.

After some pictures, we continued down to the Foothills Trail and turned left to descend steeply towards the river.  Along the way, there were several spots on the trail with an obscured view of Corbin Creek Falls.  There would be no view at all in the summer.

As we got closer to the river, we could see the big metal footbridge across Whitewater River.

When we reached the river, there was a ladder and we realized Alex couldn't get up to the bridge.  So we took turns crossing.

Across the river, we could see Upper Whitewater Falls, but it was mostly blocked by foliage and there would be no easy way to go upstream.

After crossing, the trail soon crossed Corbin Creek on a small footbridge.  Corbin Creek Falls was immediately upstream.

The view wasn't great so I crossed and followed a scramble path up along the river left side.

I got as far as the main drop of the lower section of the falls, but it would have been difficult to go further and Sandy was waiting with Alex.

I got some pictures and then headed back, waiting with Alex while Sandy visited the waterfall.  Then we started hiking back up.  When we got back to the viewing deck for Upper Whitewater Falls, there was a rainbow.

We got some pictures then headed back to the car.

It was a bit of a drive to get home from here.