Family Vacation!
For vacation this year we drove to North Carolina to see waterfalls! And hike! And see more waterfalls! We were excited to spend time together as a famile. We were also looking forward to spending some time with friends because our next door neighbors, and close friends, the Barnetts joined us for a few days!
Day 1 - Monday July 8th
We arrived in Brevard, North Carolina where we had an Airbnb. We got there before noon, so we couldn't check into our temporary home, so it was off to see some waterfalls.
Cedar Rock Creek Falls
Pisgah National Forest
Our first hike should have been two miles... one mile to the waterfall and then one mile back. It started at the parking lot of a park wildlife center and fish hatchery. The hike to the falls was the first mile of a longer loop trail that started at the wildlife center. So we started up the trail.
A mile later... no waterfall.
We met some people on the trail and they let us know that the trail was a loop that started on one side of the parking lot and ended on the other side... and we'd gone up the wrong end. So, back to the parking lot.
This time we found it:
Daniel Ridge Falls
Pisgah National Forest
Even with the extra hike, it wasn't time to go check in yet, so we checked out a second nearby waterfall:
We found a lot of butterflies along the way...
We made it to the waterfall!
Happy Mommy!
We were excited to go check out the Airbnb!
Later that evening the Barnetts arrived and we had lots of rooms in the Airbnb for all of us to stay. Dog walk time!
Day 2 - Tuesday July 9th
Sliding Rock
Pisgah National Forest
We started the day at Sliding Rock a waterfall you can slide down! We had heard a lot about Sliding Rock, so we had to check it out to see if it was as good as everyone said. We got there first thing in the morning to beat the crowds.
The water is a "refreshing 55 degrees" according to the sign at the top. It's a short walk down to the water and then a short climb up to the top. Dad,Rachel, CR (Barnett), and Lizzy climbed up the side of the waterfall first:
The brave ones!
The pool below was Freezing Cold! With no line, daddy immediately ran back up to try the fast side (the slide gets faster further to the right).
Go Daddy!
Rachel and Lizzy got out of the water for a while because it was so cold, but after a while watching dad and CR, Rachel decided to try it again.This time by herself!:
Lizzy went too, and pretty soon, everyone was going except for mom and Miss Karla (CR's mom). They'll never go... the water's too cold.
Wait... who's that going up to the slide?!
It's Karla!!! There she goes!
And then she went again!That was enough for her though.
Even more surprising here comes Mom!
Mom went down twice too! Go Mom!!
We all agreed that Sliding Rock was awesome and we are definitely coming back!
Moore Cove Falls
Pisgah National Forest
Just down the road was the next stop of the day. We were looking forward to spending the day with our friends the Barnett's!
Even Luna (who refused to be in the picture) has her best friend Donut. Donut and Luna go on dog walks together almost every evening, so they were excited to do their first hike together.
On the way to the waterfall we did some rock climbing:
And then we made it to our destination:
What a great place for a shower!
Looking Glass Falls
Pisgah National Forest
Another very short drive and we were at our next destination.
No hike here... we just walked down a walkway to the
waterfall:
Rachel made a new friend:
Slick Rock Falls
Pisgah National Forest
Time for one more waterfall. Slick Rock Falls was one of the smaller waterfalls we saw, but still quite pretty:
Four waterfalls in one day! Time to go back to the Airbnb and eat.
Day 3 - Wednesday Jul 10
Eastatoe FallsWestern North Carolina, located on private property near Rosman, NC
In our North Carolina Waterfalls guidebookbook, it says that Eastatoe Falls is one of the prettiest falls in the state. So we set out to see for ourselves.
On the drive, we missed a turn and had to backtrack. Then we missed a second turn and ended up taking a big loop before ending back where we had started. Third time's the charm... but we missed another turn.
Finally, we made it to the waterfall. The Barnetts somehow managed to keep up with us. We parked out back behind the house on the property and walked a few hundred feet to this
waterfall:
We all agreed this really is a beautiful waterfall!
Super-Happy Mommy!!
Karla and Cole agreed... and so did Doughnut:
Happy Family!!
What a great waterfall!
Big Bearwallow Falls
Big Bearwallow Creek in Pisgah National Forest
The Barnetts forgot something back at the Airbnb so they headed back and we continued on, planning to meet back up with them along the way. This waterfall was hard to find. The directions were sketchy, and when we got where we thought might be the right place, there was no path. We were at a very small pull-off at the edge of the road. A steep slope led down to the stream, but it was heavily overgrown. The waterfall guide book said there wasn't a path, that it was a bushwhack down to the stream.
Dad decided he'd head down and see if he could find a way down. 20 minutes later, dad came out from around the bend in the road. He was dripping wet with sweat, covered with scrapes, and looked exhausted. He said it was very hard but if we wanted to go down he'd take us.
A few minutes later the Barnetts showed up. One look at Dad and we all decided that we'd pass on going down to this waterfall!
Dad was able to get a picture while he was down there of Big
Bearwallow Waterfall fall:
Thanks for the pic Dad!
Lemon Falls
Pisgah National Forest
In this area, there are a LOT of waterfalls. So we didn't have to drive more than a few minutes before it was time to pull off the road again.
This time, there was a short path down but it was steep and not easy. At the bottom, we found a very pretty little waterfall:
Mill Shoals
Pisgah National Forest
Another few minutes up the road we arrived at our next waterfall. Everyone was all set for the hike:
We actually didn't realize that the waterfall was only about 100 feet from where we parked! We parked a few car lengths from in front of this red house. The waterfall was on the other
side:
Bird Rock Falls
Pisgah National Forest
A short hike down the river was a second waterfall:
This was also a double waterfall, and the lower waterfall was actually prettier, but there was no good way to take a picture of it. It was a beautiful place, and a great place to wade!
Courthouse Falls
Pisgah National Forest
The last waterfall of the day was a long drive up a narrow windy bumpy dirt road. Our friends were following us, but they ran over a nail somewhere and their tire was getting low, so they turned around.
We continued on along the bumpy road and arrived at the trail head:
It wasn't a very long hike but we had been hiking all day so it
was nice to sit down for a while:
We had an awesome day! Back to our AirBnB.
Day 4 - Thursday Jul 11
Sliding Rock
Pisgah National Forest
Normally, we only go to a place once because there are so many places to go and waterfalls to see, but we made an exception this time. Because everyone LOVED Sliding Rock we went back for a second visit first thing in the morning.
Rachel wanted to start with the slower side:
But then Lizzy wanted to try the fast side... with a little help
from Dad:
Then Rachel did it... alone!
It was great sliding with our friends:
Discovery Falls
Pisgah National Forest
The next place we went was Discovery Falls. We were dried off and ready to go!
It wasn't a very long hike but Rachel must have gotten a little tired:
Everyone agreed it was worth the hike.
Back to the car to eat lunch and drive to the next hike.
Log Hollow Falls
Pisgah National Forest
Here's why you should read the directions first. When we got back to the car, dad read the directions to the next waterfall and realized that it was at the same trail head as Discovery Falls. Not only that, the first mile of the hike was the same! It would have been a short side trip to visit the falls, but now we had to hike back the way we just came.
Oh well... off we go! No complaints... well, almost none.
Lizzy: we have to hike this trail again?!?!
A short time later we arrived at the waterfall. We didn't even have to wade across the stream because the trail was an old access road:
Waterfall selfie:
Back to the car.
Cathey's Creek Falls
Pisgah National Forest
A short drive later and a hike down a short, but quite steep, trail and we arrived at one of the prettiest falls we'd visited.
And it was a great place to wade:
We all enjoyed this waterfall!
Day 5 - Friday July 12
Sliding RockPisgah National Forest
The Barnetts were leaving today so we decided to take one more trip to Sliding Rock! Yippee!
Dad, Lizzy, CR, and even Mom all went repeatedly down the fast part of the waterfall!!
After that, the Barnetts headed home and we drove to Dupont Recreational Forest to spend the next few days.
Wintergreen Falls
DuPont State Forest
Our first stop was Wintergreen Falls. This was a much longer several-mile hike and would be our first true test of our hiking skills.
Cool hikers:
Although it was a more challenging hike it was well worth it.
Dad was jumping around on the rocks and slid into the water, soaking his shoes and pants, and scraping up his knee:
We heard about a "secret waterfall" past the Wintergreen Falls, but there really wasn't a clear trail. We went in the direction we thought it was but after tangling with lots of briers, we turned back.
We had just started back when it started to rain. At first it wasn't bad, but it soon was down pouring. Finally, we found a place to stop under a natural rock overhang:
Just barely room for all of us (and the spiders under the shelter). We waited until the rain had mostly stopped, took the picture, and then left.
5 minutes later it started pouring. We got soaked! Rachel slipped and scraped her knee too:
We made it back to the car and decided that we'd had enough excitement for one day, so we headed for the campground.
Luckily, it stopped raining for the rest of the evening, so we were able to set up camp.
Day 6 - Saturday July 13
Triple FallsDupont Recreational Forest
No rain today. It was a perfect day to hike, so we set out on a longer hike that would take us past three of the best waterfalls in Dupont. The first stop was Triple Falls:
Triple Falls was actually 3 waterfalls right on top of each other:
There were paths that took us a bit closer. The best one took us right above the bottom waterfall. Unfortunately, it had a cable telling us not to get any closer:
Luna was doing great!
Mom took a quick selfie before
we left for the other waterfalls.
we left for the other waterfalls.
Next on the hike was High Falls:
On our way, we met a friend:
We made it to the waterfall:
Everyone was ready for a little break:
Time to explore:
What a beautiful waterfall!
Bridal Veils Falls
We were pretty tired by the end of that hike but there was still one more waterfall to see.
At Least Luna was ready!
It was a pretty long hike. We were really excited when we finally got there. The final part was a hike up slippery rock to the waterfall.
Almost immediately after we'd gotten to the waterfall, it started raining. The steep slope up to the waterfall became very slippery, and the walk down was scary. We had raincoats with us (we learned our lesson the day before!). Just a short ways from the waterfall, there was a stable, so we stopped there to wait out the rain.
We were sure glad when the rain stopped and we were able to get back to camp.
Day 7 - Sunday July 14
Avery Creek FallsPisgah National Forest
We went to church first thing in the morning. We really enjoy checking out other congregations while on vacation.
After church, it was a short drive up into the mountains to the trail head leading to two different waterfalls.
It was a nice path that followed a stream through a beautiful wooded valley. We found a bright red mushroom along the way:
We had to cross the stream on a fun bridge made out of a log with a second small log to act as a hand rail. No problem! Even Luna didn't have any trouble.
We made it to the waterfall:
Time for a Mom selfie:
The final path down to the waterfall was very steep! Coming out there was a lot of slipping and it was very hard work!
Dad got a little muddy, but we made it!
Twin Falls
The trail continued to a second waterfall but the next waterfall was a good distance away but we pressed onward.
There were LOTS of creek crossings:
Lots of flowers:
And even more creek crossings. Luna needed some encouragement:
Oh no! Luna slipped and fell in the water. She was okay, but the next time we got to a crossing, daddy had to carry her across!
We were all glad to finally arrive at the waterfall:
That was a VERY LONG day! We were ready to head back to camp.
Day 8 - Monday July 15
Rainbow FallsGorges State Park
We packed up and left the campground and headed towards our next AirBnB. On the way, we stopped at Gorges State Park to spend the day:
It was quite a long hike but there were several places to stop and rest by the river.
Very happy Mommy!
Turtleback Falls
Pisgah National Forest
A short way past Rainbow falls was Turtleback Falls.
We didn't spend much time there. We did take some time to stop and smell the flowers:
It was such a long hike back that we called it a day and headed back.
Bearwallow Falls
Gorges State Park
Another one? Are you serious?!
This was a short "walk":
It's a short one because we could not get close to the waterfall.
Daddy went down to see if it was worth the bushwhack trail to get closer, but he soon came back.
It was time to call it a day. Off to our next AirBnB cabin:
It was nice!
Day 9 - Tuesday July 16
Wilderness FallsPanthertown Valley in the Nantahala National Forest
Time for a really long hike! Oh no!!!
We hiked down into Panthertown Valley. Daddy planned a long path that went around part of the valley and visited 5 waterfalls along the way. It sounds hard, but thought we were up to the challenge!
The whole valley was full of paths going all over the place. It would be easy to get lost!
Luckily, all of the paths were really well marked. We soon found the trail to our first waterfall:
Are you sure this is the path?
We found it:
Frolictown Falls
Just down the path a little bit from Wilderness Falls, we came to the second waterfall.
It was nice to take a break from all that walking!
Mommy really liked this one!
Time to leave. It was a bit of a scramble to get out:
Granny Burrell Falls
It was a long walk after that, but finally we came to the trail marker sign to our next stop:
It took a while but we finally got there!
We were so ready for a break!
We needed a long break this time so we had lunch. Then it was time to have some fun. It was a great place to wade!
We had a great time!
Schoolhouse Falls
Next we climbed over a mountain!
It was hard to see a path up there. Let's try this way!
It sure had beautiful views!
One last look!
Time to head down the mountain. We found the path, and it led right to the biggest waterfall of the day:
We stopped and rested:
and made some new friends:
Looking at the map, we realized that we'd come a little over half way, and we had a long hike back to the car.
Daddy decided we'd had enough, so he cut off a side trip to the fifth waterfall. We were still tired, so he gave Rachel a 10-minute ride on the hike back:
Then he gave Lizzy a 10-minute ride too!
That certainly was the "HIGH" point of the day!
Daddy was exhausted after that and we were all ready to call it a day!
Day 10 - Wednesday July 17
Whitewater Falls
Nantahala National Forest
Finally, a waterfall we don't have to hike to! Whitewater Falls is in a park just off the road. Only a short walk on a paved path to the falls. Spectacular!
Happy Family!
White Owl Falls
Nantahala National Forest
Next stop, right off the side of the road, was White Owl Falls:
It was a short walk down to the falls.
Mom and Dad were pretty happy:
and we were glad to be there so quickly!:
it was a pretty waterfall!
The next waterfall was from the same parking area, but a few miles away up a trail.
We saw some very pretty flowers along the way:
We'd made it a mile or so into the hike and it started to rain! Oh no! Luckily, we had rain gear with us:
Mommy sure loves her poncho!
Mom teased us about her poncho for days finding endless ways to say the word "poncho". If we hear her say "poncho" one more time our heads are going to explode!
We kept hiking a bit, but it started raining even harder, so we headed back and decided we'd come back the next day.
Day 11 - Thursday July 18
High FallsNantahala National Forest
We headed back to the same trail as the day before, but this time, the weather was fantastic. Sunny but not hot! Perfect hiking weather.
A couple miles later, we arrived:
We actually made it most of the way there the day before, but it would have been slippery (and dangerous) playing on the rocks in the rain. It was nice and sunny so it was time to play!
A perfect place to go wading:
Even Mommy and Luna joined in:
Relaxing fun!
Simons Falls
Nantahala National Forest
Instead of going back, we hiked further down the trail. There are about 7 or 8 waterfalls down this trail, but that would have been longer than we wanted to hike. But the next one wasn't too far.
We did get to one place where we had to ford the stream. Luna was NOT interested so Dad carried her across.
We wanted Dad to carry us across, but he said no way!
After a while, we got to Simons Falls:
We stopped to rest, eat lunch, and of course, take selfies:
It was a good day for silly faces:
A little drama never hurts anyone:
Even Luna wanted her picture taken:
Another romantic spot for mom and dad:
What a great waterfall.Time to head back.
DEW Falls
Nantahala National Forest
Our next stop was close, only a quarter of a mile. There was a small path to a small waterfall named after a high school student who had died. The other students made a path to the waterfall.
The path was a bit overgrown:
But it led to a small, but pretty, waterfall:
There was a nice place to sit and swing:
Time to find another waterfall.
John's Jump Falls
Nantahala National Forest
Another very short drive down the road and we were at our next stop. It was a short, but very steep, little trail down to the waterfall:
It was well worth the effort. Rachel immediately went wading:
Lizzy decided to hide in the trees:
Mommy posed for a picture near the water:
And Luna decided she was done for the day:
We agreed, so we headed to the campground.
We quickly set up our tent and camped here for the last 3 nights of vacation:
Luna went right to bed:
We made a fairy homes at the campsite. Rachel's fairy home consisted of all natural materials (including a snail she found):
Lizzy made use of some of the camping tools:
We hope we have some Fairy visitors tonight!
Day 12 - Friday July 19
Secret Falls (also known as Big Shoals Falls)Nantahala National Forest
We found the trail head. . .off we go!
It was a pretty long hike but people had left funny messages tacked to trees along the path so we all got to laugh as we hiked.
We made it to the waterfall:
We quickly put on our watershoes and went wading:
Even Mom joined us. She doesn't like cold water, but she made it across the river.
She enjoyed the light mist that came off the waterfall.
Picklesimer Rock Falls
Nantahala National Forest
Our next hike was to the waterfall with the silliest name... Pickelsimer Rock.
It was a pretty hike. On our way up, we met some returning hikers who told us that there was a bear track in some mud. We found what they were talking about:
We kept our eyes out for the owner of the big print but that was the only sign we saw of the bear.
We made it to the waterfall. It was a little underwhelming... just enough for a light shower:
Behind the waterfall was a huge undercut in the rock that was fun to explore:
Glen Falls
Nantahala National Forest
Our next hike was to Glen Falls:
Glen falls is actually 3 or 4 waterfalls. Our waterfall guidebook said it was a pretty tough hike. Rachel decided to get in a quick nap before the hike:
We met this handsome guy along the way:
The hike down was steep! The whole way we were imagining what it would be like on the return trip!
The top waterfall was pretty:
Another mom selfie:
A bit further down, we came to the middle fall, and that one was awesome:
We kept going until we got to the bottom waterfall:
It wasn't as big as the other two, but it was fun to climb around:
As expected, the hike back up was hard! We were pretty tired by the time we got to the top.
Dry Falls
Nantahala National Forest
Another waterfall. Why would they call it Dry Falls? Let's find out!
At least we didn't have to hike to this one. It was right on the side of the road next to our camp ground.
It was a HUGE waterfall. The picture doesn't show how ginormous it really was!
The path lead right up to it:
And then we were able to go all the way behind it:
Rachel decided to take this opportunity to practice contortionism:
Back in the parking lot Lizzy made a friend:
Time to call it a day!
Day 13 - Saturday July 20
Ranger FallsNantahala National Forest
The last day before we go home. Our first stop was to Ranger Falls.This was right next door to our campground.
Only 1.2 miles. No problem!
We arrived:
Gem Mining
Mom and dad had a surprise for us. Another hike? No! Gem mining.
First we filled a bucket with dirt from a gem mine. Each one of us got a bucket.
Then they mine owners showed us how to use the sluice to look for gems!
We found a few pretty gems. It was a lot of fun!
Cullasaja Falls
Nantahala National Forest
One final stop. The directions said that this was a very hard waterfall to get to. From the road, we could just barely see it:
There was not really a path down and it was really steep. Another person at the stop said she hadn't found any way down. Of course, Dad decided to go down and check it out to see if it was something we could do.
He was gone a long enough time that Mom was getting a little worried. Finally he returned. He had made it to the bottom, but he said there was NO WAY that everyone was going down that trail. He had taken a few pictures so we could see:
Beautiful!
We decided to go back to the park where Ranger Falls was because there was a lake where we could go swimming.
The water was cold so it took Lizzy a bit longer to make it in but Rachel immediately headed to the floating platform:
It was a great place to dive from:
There was also a fun swing set. Look how high Lizzy went!
Vacation is now over but we are happy to report that we hiked over 47 miles and saw 41 waterfalls!! We all had a great time on vacation but we were glad to be heading home.
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