Secret Falls in DuPont

On Saturday, we kicked off Labor Day weekend with a mountain adventure, bringing Harper and Amaroq to DuPont State Forest. Our first stop was Guion Farm Access, where we gathered our gear and set out on Tarkiln Branch Road, descending gently through the forest.

After a long car ride, Harper was eager to stretch her legs and explore. About a mile in, we veered onto Wintergreen Falls Trail, following it to its end. The final stretch was a bit challenging, so Harper hopped into her backpack carrier for safety. Wintergreen Falls was beautiful, though the bright sunlight made photography tricky.

We clambered over rocks to snap a few pictures before continuing. From there, we took an unofficial trail from the bike rack, tracing Grassy Creek upstream. The narrow path was easy to navigate, even with a toddler in tow. In about a quarter-mile, we reached Upper Grassy Creek Falls, a stunning cascade that stole the show.

We took turns scrambling over the rocks for photos, catching fleeting moments of cloud cover for better shots.

After a quick snack break, we retraced our steps to the main trail.

Harper hiked nearly the entire return journey, delighting in collecting leaves, sticks, and other trail treasures.

Along the way, we admired vibrant wildflowers dotting the path.

Back at the car, we drove to Sideways Farm Brewery for dinner. The kid-friendly atmosphere was a hit, with Harper gleefully exploring the property and playing on the playground. Afterward, we headed to Mountain Springs Cabins, settling into our cozy home base for the weekend.

DuPont Forest Waterfalls

Tuesday, we had breakfast at Village Inn again and then headed into North Carolina to DuPont State Forest.  We drove down the gravel Cascade Lake Road and pulled over next to Merry Falls.

It's a really scenic roadside waterfall that I understand is part of a newly-acquired tract of land in the forest.

After some pictures from near the road, I scrambled down to creek level for some pictures

Then we headed back to Staton Road and parked at the visitor center.  From here, we got on High Falls Loop Trail and went to the overlook for High Falls.

With high water, even lighting and the leaves down, it was a really nice view.  Just past the overlook, a spur trail led to the base.  There was a lot of spray so we didn't stay long.

Back on the main trail, we continued to Triple Falls Trail.  The stairs to the middle were closed but we had a nice view of Triple Falls from the trailside overlook.

The trail continued down Little River.

At the end, we came to Hooker Falls Access further down Staton Road.  The old Hooker Falls that followed the river is now closed so got on the new trail that went up and around, passing by the Moore-Hooker Cemetery.

After the cemetery, the trail headed down, ending near the base of Hooker Falls.  I walked up close to the base for some pictures.

Then we made our way back, taking the other side of the High Falls Loop to return to the parking area.

From here, we headed into Brevard for lunch at Hawg Wild.  Since we were close by, we made a quick stop at Looking Glass Falls.

Then we headed back into South Carolina on US-178 and took Cleo Chapman Highway to the Twin Falls Trailhead.  The short trail led into Jocassee Gorges Wildlife Management Area and ended at an overlook of Twin Falls.

In high water, it was really flowing and there was a third stream of water coming down.  Unfortunately, a lot of downfall was all over the base.

Then we made our way back to the cabin and retired for the evening.

Kiesee and Hooker Falls

Sunday morning, we headed to the Courthouse Creek area in Pisgah National Forest to get Kiesee Falls. It was raining the last time we were here and we were unable to get all the way to the base of the waterfall. We drove up Courthouse Creek Road (FSR-140) from NC-215 and parked near the trailhead just past where the road crosses Kiesee Creek. From here, we hiked up the old road with yellow Closed to Vehicles sign for about a quarter-mile to a split and went right. At the next split, we went right again and the trail became progressively more difficult. We first had to get around some rhododendron and soon the path became so overgrown, it was hardly better than nothing. But we just needed to follow the creek upstream. The path ended at the creek, where we crossed and bushwhacked through dog hobble up the other side. We came out in the creek just below a small waterfall below the main one. We then went up a very steep path to the cliff face. Directions I’ve read indicate you have to climb up the cliff and scale across and then back down to the base of the waterfall. I think we found an easier way. Instead of going up, we carefully went down the wet rock towards the creek. There were enough down trees that we could climb across these right to the base of the waterfall. This seemed a lot easier and safer than climbing up the cliff and then back down.  Kiesee Falls is small, but very scenic.

We got a couple pictures and then headed back. Next, we headed to DuPont State Forest for a quick hike to Hooker Falls, as Sandy has never been to this one.  Midday sunlight was shining right on the waterfall, so there was no reason to spend much time on pictures.

From here, our plan was to head to Wintergreen Falls. But the Guion Farm parking area was completely full, so we started heading home. On the way, we stopped at Crowders Mountain State Park. Starting from the Linwood Access, we hiked a loop up to the summit of Crowders Mountain and back. It was a beautiful day and so the summit was very crowded. I climbed up a rock to get a couple pictures and then we took the Tower Trail back to the parking area.

Then we made the drive home.

DuPont State Forest Waterfalls

Sunday morning, I woke up, had breakfast, and checked out of the hotel. It was a long drive home and I wanted to get in a good hike before I left. So I headed to DuPont State Forest, just east of Brevard, and parked at the Hooker Falls parking area. After getting my stuff together, I started out on the short Hooker Falls Road to its namesake waterfall. I was here early enough that I beat the crowds and had favorable lighting to capture the falls.

One guy was swimming in the pool beneath the waterfall, but no one else was here. I took advantage and walked around a bit to get pictures of the falls and then headed back.

I took the pedestrian bridge over the river and then followed Little River upstream along Triple Falls Trail. I stopped for picture at the overlook where all three sections of the waterfall are visible. Then I then climbed down to the rocks to get some pictures from here, where I could see the upper and middle sections of the falls.

It was still early and there was no one else at the waterfall. Every other time I’ve been to Triple Falls, it’s been very crowded, so it was nice to have a bit of solitude here. I continued following the trail and took High Falls Trail at the split.

After a quick stop at the overlook to see High Falls, I took Covered Bridge Trail up to the bridge over the waterfall and followed Buck Forest Road.

I followed the road for just under a mile to a bridge over Grassy Creek and then took Lake Imaging Road to Grassy Creek Falls Trail. Along the way, I saw some black-eyed susans blooming along the road.

The trail ends at the top of the waterfall and the views aren’t very good. So I bushwhacked down to the base, but it was very cluttered and I couldn’t really get a decent view here either.

It’s not that scenic of a waterfall anyway, so I gave up and headed back. Once across the covered bridge, I made a partial loop by taking Triple Falls Trail all the way back.

Along the way, I saw some great mushrooms growing right along the trail.

At the base of the lowest section Triple Falls, I headed out onto the rocks to get some pictures, though the waterfall had become crowded by this time.

Then I finished my hike back at the Hooker Falls parking area. It was still early so I drove over to the Guion Farm parking area off Sky Valley Road. From here, I hiked to Wintergreen Falls, the last waterfall in the forest that I had never visited. I hiked south through an open field and got on Tarkiln Branch Trail. I followed this for about a mile and turned left on Wintergreen Falls Trail. It was about a half-mile to where the trail ends at Grassy Creek. From here, I had to scramble over some big boulders for a view of Wintergreen Falls.

Although not big, it’s a very scenic waterfall and much less crowded than the more popular waterfalls on Little River. It's more scenic that Grassy Creek Falls in my opinion. I got some pictures here and then hiked back to the car. I started making my way home, passing through Hendersonville and getting on I-26. When US-74 split, I got off the highway in Columbus at NC-108. I turned on Houston Road and then White Oak Mountain Road. This last road, although paved, was extremely steep and windy as it switchbacked up the mountain. At a couple points, I had to come to a complete stop and put the car in first gear to get up the hills. After two miles, I parked right before Shunkawauken Falls.

This roadside waterfall is quite high; surprising, considering how high on the mountain it is. I got a couple of pictures of the waterfall and of the views over Columbus far below the mountain.

After enjoying the view, I returned to the car and drove back to the highway and made my way home.

DuPont Forest - Bridal Veil Falls

On Sunday, we had planned to go to Gorges State Park and hike to the Horsepasture River and enjoy swimming and sliding on Turtleback Falls. Unfortunately, the water level was way too high to safely swim there this year. At least one person had died there in the past couple of weeks, so instead we headed to DuPont State Forest. On the way out of camp, Sandy and I swung by Catheys Creek Falls, just up the forest road from the entrance to Kuykendall.

It's a nice waterfall and Sandy had never seen it before, so we swung by since it was so close and easy to visit. After that, we finished packing up and met everyone at the Advanced Auto Parts in Brevard. Brit's alternator had died but luckily for her, Cotton was able to install a new one right in the parking lot for her. Always good to have someone handy with cars around! When he was finished, we all headed to DuPont and parked at the High Falls Access area. We headed out on Buck Forest Road across the covered bridge above High Falls and then turned right on Conservation Road and hiked down to Bridal Veil Falls Road.

Like the other waterfalls we've seen this weekend, it was much higher than usual. It was a bit harder to get out on the bedrock slope and much of it was covered in water.

But there were enough dry sections that we made it to near the top. However, at this point there was no going further. The water was fast-flowing and covered the entire width of the bedrock just below the "bridal veil".

It might have been possible to bushwhack a little through the woods and get behind the falls, but we decided against it. We just hung out here for a while, had a snack and enjoyed the view before making our way back. Justine and the others continued on to see High Falls and Triple Falls, but Sandy and I were getting tired and had already seen these falls so we decided to make our way back home after another waterfall-tastic weekend.

DuPont State Forest Waterfalls

Sunday morning, we woke up later than expected due to the start of Daylight Saving Time. We broke camp and headed towards DuPont State Forest, stopping on the way at Connestee Falls. Unfortunately, due to development, it's not possible to get a good view of the falls. Although there is a "park" at the real estate office with a boardwalk, the only view is from the top of the falls, which makes it difficult to see. The boardwalk ends at the top of Connestee Falls with a view across to Batson Creek Falls. The two flow together and make a nice double waterfall, but to get a good view, one would need to live in or know someone who lives in the Connestee Falls development. After a few minutes, we continued on to DuPont and parked in the High Falls Access area. Heading down Buck Forest Road, we turned left on High Falls Trail and stopped for a minute at the overlook to see the falls.

High Falls (on Little River - there are several High Falls in the area) is a very impressive waterfall, especially when the water flow is good. The covered bridge on Buck Forest Road goes over the falls and you would think it would make for a nice scene. But its kind of crooked from the perspective of the High Falls overlook, so it seems kind of awkward up there. After a few photos, we continued down the trail to where it meets up with Triple Falls Trail and stopped at the overlook where we had a good view of the three distinct falls.

Actually, to get the best view, we had to climb up some rocks just behind the overlook. This was especially good for shots with people in it, since you can still see the falls behind them. Then we headed down the nearby stairs and climbed out onto the rocks and stopped for a short lunch break and to take some photos.

This spot is just above the lowest section of Triple Falls with a good view of the upper two falls.

After our lunch break, we headed back on the trail and went for a different view of High Falls. We followed an old trail down to the base of the falls to get a close up view of the power of the falls.

It was a little slippery, but I could get a shot looking up at the falls without the bridge visible. Then, we headed back up and took the Covered Bridge Trail for yet another view of High Falls from the top.

There were some people riding horses here - the horses stopped for a drink and then headed over the bridge continuing on Buck Forest Road.

Across the bridge, we hiked down Conservation Road, crossing the Lake Julia Spillway before turning on Bridal Veil Falls Road.

Reaching Bridal Veil Falls, we climbed towards the top of the exposed rock to where we could crawl behind the falls.

Near the top, almost all of the rock was covered in water and very slippery, so we took a trail through the woods to safely reach the top.

Several other people weren't so smart and tried walking up the wet rock, nearly falling. One woman said "I'll dry off if I fall." Yes, but broken bones will take a while to heal!

We crawled behind the falls and went to the other side, and then headed back. On our way out of DuPont, we stopped just outside the forest to see Shoal Creek Falls, a very pretty roadside waterfall.

One more waterfall, before making the long drive back to Raleigh.