Waterfall Hero Hikes: Chasm Falls (East Fork Overflow Creek)

Chasm Falls is a 20-foot waterfall on East Fork Overflow Creek just above the confluence with West Fork in Macon County. The waterfall is located in the Nantahala Ranger District of Nantahala National Forest near Highlands.

Hike Length: 0.4 miles
Estimated Time: 1 to 2 hours
Difficulty: Difficult
Location: Nantahala Ranger District of Nantahala National Forest
Trail Users: Hiking only
Dogs: Yes, but the path is not dog friendly.
Features: Waterfalls (1)
Crowds: Low
Warnings: It is necessary to cross the creek for a view of the charsm. The rocks around the waterfalls are very slippery.
Trailhead GPS: 35.00911,-83.25069
Waterfall GPS: 35.00846,-83.24869

Directions:

From Highlands, head south on NC-28 for 6 miles and turn right on Blue Valley Road. This road changes to gravel and becomes FR-79 as it enters the forest. Go 4.5 miles to where the road curves right and pull off on the side.

Map:

Hike Description:

Hike down the old overgrown logging road towards East Fork for a little over 0.1 miles. The road peters out a bit and becomes more of a trail and leads to the top of the falls. Be careful up here as a fall would be fatal.

To get to the base backtrack and head down towards the creek. You'll have to cross the creek, which is difficult in high water, to reach the other side for a view of the chasm.