North Carolina Bound

 

We have seen many of the good falls near Greenville so today we decided to head to Highlands North Carolina. We actually cut through Northern Georgia so again we landed in one state but visited 3.  Spoiler alert, we saw 6 waterfalls today. I had planned up to 8 but we got hungry and decided food was more important than another two falls. 

Our first stop was Bridal falls. Yesterday was all about walking and we logged about 8 miles whereas today was only 5.  One big difference, the falls were mostly more convenient. Bridal falls is literally 50 feet from the highway. It was one of two falls that we walked behind. It is not a super impressive fall but given the great views and no effort to visit, it is a high value fall.

Our next stop was Dry falls but the lot was full so we kept going another 3 miles and pulled off at Bust Your But Falls. This again was roadside. The falls are a bit up the road but you can see the falls from your car. We did walk out and take a closer look and I flew the drone. It started getting crowded so we decided to retreat being in COVID mode.

Returning to dry falls, we scored a prime parking spot. This fall has much more infrastructure and there is a $3 fee and well worth it. It is the honor system so we dropped our money in the box after completing the envelope.   They use the same form in all parks for all activities so you end up writing way more than you really need.  

From the lot you head down some stairs and ramps and in just 100 yards later you are rewarded with some nice falls. The path continues to the base of the falls and then you can walk behind the falls. 

The back of water is quite cool. Usually you only get to see the front so this is rather special. You can continue on to the other river bank and get the other side view. The sun was favoring the first side so we headed back across and snapped some more pictures before heading off.

Glenn falls was the final Highland falls. Glenn has 3 falls but only 2 are significant. The third is only 15 feet.  Our rental car was only a bit dirty but Glenn falls are 1 mile down a dirt road. We headed down behind a Jeep and eventually found a bunch of cars parked on the side of the road. The Jeep took the first available space but I headed on. About .25 miles later we found the parking dirt. There happened to be one space left which we scored. Always better to drive all the way in and then take the first available space heading out.

Glenn is pretty vertical. It’s 400 feet down to the first falls as well as .5 miles. All the way down we discussed that eventually we would have to come up. We got to the first falls and took pictures and then headed further down.

The trail has switchbacks and they have steep stairs in many places. The second falls were also quite nice but the viewing area was muddy and wet. After some pictures we started the long climb up. The area is about 3500 feet elevation so we can blame the shortness of breath on the elevation. We were moving a bit aggressively and passed many several groups including some younger hikers.

We eventually made it back and headed off to our last falls. Kings Creek Falls are in South Carolina. If the car had any spot that wasn’t dust covered from Glenn, It did now after the 2 miles of dirt roads on the each way to the falls.

Arriving at the parking area we found a trail map. I snap a picture of the maps just in case we need to use it later. Studying the map we were still a bit confused. The map had the you are here arrow and the falls but it had no orientation. I said we went to Kings Creek but the lot also was the access to Spoonager falls.

We puzzled a bit as we could see both destinations but just were not sure which trail was which. I saw two hiking looking dudes that had kayaks on their car so I did the one thing a guy is never supposed to do. I asked directions.  Thye recommended a particular trail to Kings Creek Falls. They also said we would find a sign on the trail. We took their advice and sure enough 50 feet down the trail we found a sign and knew we were on the correct trail.

Off we went and the further we went the worse the trail became. Based on our hikes, CC thinks that South Carolina does not do as much trail maintenance. Also the trails tend to be narrower and the surface less even. This may be the type of forest or or may be different departments and different philosophies but this trail did get pretty squishy.

As I said the trail got wetter, more slippery, and muddy, we knew we were close as we could hear the falls. The final stretch had us climbing over a massive fallen tree and the scrambling down wet rocks. In the end it was worth is. They were pretty amazing falls.

The way back went well and we decided to pack it in and eat. We headed off to Pickens for a second round of Bojangles. It was once again mighty tasty.  For those counting, we saw 13 waterfalls.  Not too bad for a quick get away.

We headed back Monday morning.  The weather was supposed to be great.  You know it is a low traffic area when your departure clearance is a direct climb to 7000.  We were soon direct Jesup Georgia for a planned fuel stop.  As I said the forecast was good VFR all the way.   On the approach to Jesup I noticed Jacksonville was starting to get some clouds.

Twenty minutes later we were in the air and I picked up my IFR home.  Weather was still marginal VFR and we had just 30 minutes to go.  The new weather came out and I started planning for an IFR arrival.  The wind was 20 knots down runway 5 so it would be a circling approach.  I requested direct to the 14 initial approach fix and was told I could have it but 32 was in use so if someone came the other way we would have to fall in line.

Sure enough just as I was to join the approach a slow poke popped up inbound on 32.  Approach sent us downwind so we got to fly past the airport and back around for a GPS 32 approach.  I had briefed both and was ready so it was not much work.  Also it is my home airport so I have practiced both many times.   We broke out at 1500 and had an easy circle to 5 for a smooth arrival.