Thursday, January 24, 2008

Upper Whitewater Falls.....NC



Upper Whitewater Falls
Jackson, North Carolina
Nantahala National Forest Park
Southern Appalachian Mountains
Whitewater River
Designated as a : NC Natural Heritage Area
411 feet
$2.00 parking fee


Upper Whitewater falls is the highest fall east of the Rockies.
You can view this beautiful fall by following a paved walkway .2 miles one way to the upper overlook from the parking area. To get the best views go to the lower overlook by following the 154 stairs to the bottom.....Yes 154, not to bad going down but not that great returning.
If you have a lot of energy you may want to continue down the half mile spur trail that drops 600 feet in elevation to the Whitewater River and Foot Hills trails. Please do not venture off the trails several people have fallen to their deaths trying to get a better view. Whitewater falls has claimed more lives than any other fall in the state and has permanent mounting post installed for the recovery of bodies.
Directions:
From Brevard, drive west on U.S. 64.
At Sapphire, turn left on NC 281
and go south to the Whitewater Falls entrance.
Nearby Falls:
Laurel Falls
Lower Whitewater Falls (SC)

Dry Falls.....NC



Dry Falls
Macon , North Carolina
Nantahala National Forest
Blue Ridge Mountains
65 feet

Dry Falls has to be one of my favorite falls. Dry Falls is also know as Upper Cullasaja Falls .It is a part of a series of falls that stretch almost 9 miles ending at Cullasaja Falls. Dry falls was named for the flowing of water over a overhanging bluff the allows visitors to walk behind the falls and stay almost dry, hence the name Dry Falls. You might second guess the name if the river is up.

Directions:
Drive 3.1 miles North of Highlands on US 64.
There is a parking lot where visitors can park and walk
the paved path & stairs to and behind the falls.

Near By Falls:
Bridal Veil
Quarry Falls
Callasaja Falls