10-24-2016 Falls and Foliage

With our 26th Anniversary coming up on the third of November and that weekend already swamped we took off mid week to visit to the Western North Carolina Mountains. We were uncertain about the foliage but knew we would find some waterfalls within easy walking distance if not right at the side of the road.

We spent a delightful three nights up in Cashiers with a room in a private home right on a lake. The setting was peaceful and relaxing and the porch was a great place to sit and read in the late afternoon sunshine.

On Wednesday morning we headed out along the Forest Heritage National Scenic Byway which is highlighted by beautiful mountain scenery and rich local history in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. It’s a great way to explore the Pisgah National Forest with iconic places along with way like Sliding Rock, and Looking Glass Falls

We followed section that starts in Brevard and winds 15 miles by a river, waterfalls and great hikes to the Blue Ridge Parkway. From the Blue Ridge Parkway we headed back down to our room in Cashiers.

Mile 0.1: Pisgah Forest stone pillars built to honor Transylvania County residents who served in World War I to mark the entrance
Mile 5.6: Looking Glass Falls roadside 85-foot waterfall with steps to the base
Mile 7.7: Sliding Rock, a very popular summer swimming hole

On Thursday we headed out to Whitewater Falls which we had been to once before along with falls up in the Highlands Area. One disappoint was the Bridal Veil was nothing like it’s namesake in Yosemite. Barely a trickle and the road behind the falls was closed for maintenance. The other falls were great though not at full flow because of the lack of rain in the area. One of the highlights for color was the Gorges Park on the same road as Whitewater Falls. The color there was spectacular. Couldn’t take enough pictures.

We were home on Friday night after a reasonable drive with lots of memories for our time.

Comments are closed.