Hike Length: 3.4 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 (1)
Crowds: Moderate
Warnings: The rocks around the waterfalls are very slippery.
Trailhead GPS: 35.15766,-82.99869
Waterfall GPS: 35.17179,-83.00628
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 the Panthertown Valley Trail (#474) at the far end of the parking lot behind the kiosk. It goes a short ways and then turns left on an old road. The road heads down via switchbacks towards Greenland Creek. In one mile, right before the bridge over Greenland Creek, turn right on Devils Elbow Trail (#448). Follow this for about a half-mile. You'll pass under powerlines and reach a clearing with a fire ring. Look for a path to the left that leads down towards Tuckasegee River. The path comes out at the top of Wardens Falls. Look for a scramble path to the right that leads down to the base. It's real steep at the end. You have to cross the river to view the falls well. The water level was too high to cross when I visited, so I just waded as far as I could go.
US Forest Service website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/nfsnc/recarea/?recid=48686
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