Summer Ventures in WNC

Summer time allows for excessive exploration, cold water, and warm campsites.  I've done my best to venture to as many places as possible this summer because I know it could be one of my last summers at home.  So without further adieu, I'm going to share my adventures with you.

This is High Falls (Cullowhee Falls)!  It's a very popular attraction in WNC, and is located on the way to Cashiers on 107.  Being only about a 4 mile round-trip hike, it's considered a family-friendly outing.  This is actually a two-tiered waterfall that flows into a small, clear swimming hole.  The second tier requires a careful rock climb to access but the view of the river is definitely worth it.  The tier pictured is the first (as well as the prettiest in my opinion).  If you follow the river down about 200 feet there are rock jumping places around the other pools of water.  Speaking of rocks, the whole left bank of this portion of the river is a huge rock.

P.S. The top left picture is actually a different water fall that can be seen from the hiking falls to get to High Falls.

 Yet another popular attraction, I present to you The Pinnacle.  The trail head is located on Fisher Creek off of Skyland Drive.  This is a 7 mile round-hike and is not family friendly, I repeat, NOT FAMILY FRIENDLY.  In order to get to the lovely destination, a steep, rocky climb is required.  I highly recommend wearing hiking boots for this one.  About half a mile after you begin the hike split rock will appear.  The top of the rock is easy to access if you climb up from the back.  At the top of Pinnacle, the best view is accommodated by walking/climbing downward on the rocks and through the brush.  You may think you've reached the peak, but I advise you to continue downwards for the best 360 view.

This next swimming hole is one of my favorites.  Located on the NC/TN boarder on Big Creek River is Midnight Hole.  From I-40 West take exit 451 and it will lead you to a National Forest that includes campgrounds, backpacking trails, swimming holes, horse trails, and an awesome river.  The hike to Midnight Hole is 1.5 miles.  This swimming hole  has about 6 easily accessible rocks to jump off.  The water here is cold, and I recommend visiting on a hot day.  The water is also a beautiful shade of emerald green.  This place is so beautiful and fun.  I beg you to go check it out.  

Rainbow Falls

Turtle Back Falls

The next attraction I'm going to show you is a "two for the price of one" type deal.  To the right is Rainbow Falls, located on Horse Pasture River.  The trail head can be accessed off of 64E near Cashiers.  Take 281 to Gorges State Park.  It's about 1.5 mile hike to the falls.  This is a huge water fall that most people just stop and look at.  I'm here to tell you that it's completely safe to swim near the base of the falls.  In fact, if you look close enough, just to the left of the falls there is a spectacular, dry ledge to jump off.  There's even a rope attached to the near forestry to help with the climb to the ledge.  I recommend enjoying this waterfall and not just looking at it.  If you continue on the same trail about 3/4 of a mile, you'll reach Turtle Back Falls.  Though not as scenic, this water attraction is much more enjoyable.  The rushing water has created a smooth, curved rock about ten feet from the water below.  There are no rocks at the base of the waterfall, making it very safe to slide off.  Another safety factor is that the river actually makes a right angle turn at the base of the river.  This makes it impossible to get swept down stream because the current from the waterfall pushes straight into the extraction points for land.  Below is the view from the top of Turtle Back Falls.  To the right of this view is a rope that makes it easy to climb back up to the top of the falls.  

Below is a sunset view from my favorite campsite, the Cullowhee Bluffs.  This deserted place is perfect for camping because of the flat, dirt overlook.  The view is amazing, and there's no need to worry about bothering anyone because there isn't actually anyone to bother.  There is a catch: the road to this beautiful campsite isn't actually a road.  So good luck getting there.

 Another scenic, well-known area is the Blue Ridge Parkway.  The pictures shown are of Devils Courthouse.  The hike to the top is short and steep (about 10 minutes).  The overlook at the top is beautiful, but let me tell you a secret that many don't know... You can actually climb over the rock wall and down the rocks to the cliff pictured on the right.  It's really cool.  My friends and I have actually camped on this small rock ledge.  If you do happen to be at Devils Courthouse at night, I advise warm clothes.  It's very windy.