Estimated Time: 2 to 3 hours
Difficulty: Very Difficult
Location: Cheoah Backcountry Area (Cheoah Ranger District of Nantahala National Forest)
Trail Users: Hiking only
Dogs: Yes, but the trail is not dog friendly
Features: Waterfalls (1)
Crowds: Low
Warnings: The rocks around waterfalls are slippery. It is very difficult to get down to view the falls.
Trailhead GPS: 35.28261,-83.67382
Waterfall GPS: 35.28114,-83.68209
Directions:
From Bryson City, head south on US-19 for about 3 miles and then turn left and immediate right to get on US-74 West/US-19 south. Drive 16.4 miles and turn right into the small parking area.
Map:
Hike Description:
A path leads from the picnic area up over the train tracks and down to an intersection with yellow-blazed Bartram Trail. Turn left and cross Ledbetter Creek. There was a bridge here, but it had washed away when we visited. After this point, the trail begins to steeply climb up the ridge. After about 0.8 miles, as the trail reaches the top of the ridge, turn left on an overgrown road to the left descends down to Handpole Branch. The old road crosses the stream a couple times and then peters out. Bushwhack downstream a short ways to the top of Handpole Branch Falls. A tributary flows in and makes a nice little waterfall.
The top of Handpole Branch Falls is immediately downstream. It's extremely difficult climbing down to a viewpoint (and more so climbing back up).
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