Hike Length: 4.5 miles
Estimated Time: 2 to 3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Location: Panthertown Valley (Nantahala Ranger District in Nantahala National Forest)
Trail Users: Hiking only
Dogs: Yes
Features: Waterfalls (2)
Crowds: Moderate
Warnings: The rocks around the waterfalls are very slippery.
Trailhead GPS: 35.15766,-82.99869
Waterfall GPS: 35.17324,-83.00349 (Jawbone Falls), 35.17431,-83.00272 (Riding Ford Falls)
Directions:
To visit the falls, head east on US-64 from Lake Toxaway and turn left to get on NC-281 north. In just under a mile, bear left to get on Cold Mountain Road. Go 5.7 miles to the end of the road and turn left onto the gravel road. Go a short ways and turn right to reach the parking area. This is the Cold Mountain Gap access to Panthertown Valley.
Map:
Hike Description:
Pick up Panthertown Valley Trail (#474) at the end of the parking area and follow it down the switchbacks. In about a mile, turn right on Devils Elbow Trail (#448). Go about 1 mile and after crossing Little Green Creek is a split with Riding Ford Trail (#450). Bear left on Riding Ford Trail and descend to the ford of the river.
Do not cross, but go left and follow a path through the woods to a campsite and to the river at the base of Jawbone Falls.
To see Riding Ford Falls, return to the ford and the waterfall is immediately downstream. A path on river right leads to the base of the waterfall.
There are some rocks near the base to climb and get a good view.
Do not cross, but go left and follow a path through the woods to a campsite and to the river at the base of Jawbone Falls.
To see Riding Ford Falls, return to the ford and the waterfall is immediately downstream. A path on river right leads to the base of the waterfall.
There are some rocks near the base to climb and get a good view.
US Forest Service website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/nfsnc/recarea/?recid=48686
No comments:
Post a Comment