CHASING NC WATERFALLS: DRY FALLS. BRIDAL VEIL FALLS. SEQUOYAH FALLS. WESTERN NC WATERFALLS.
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CHASING NC WATERFALLS: DRY FALLS. BRIDAL VEIL FALLS. SEQUOYAH FALLS. WESTERN NC WATERFALLS.
DRY FALLS. As far as the waterfalls on this stretch of US64 in the Highlands, Dry Falls is probably the most visited. Due to it’s roadside proximity, the ease of access and the fact you can walk behind me, make it a popular tourist stop. There is a large parking area on the Eastbound side of US64. In the parking area there is a donation box.
To get to Dry Falls if you’re coming up river, the parking area is 2.6 miles East of Scadin Falls. If heading downstream, it’s 3.2 miles West from the intersection of US64 and NC106 in Highlands. From the Western end of the parking area a set of cement steps descends. Follow these down. In all there are less than 100 steps and several inclined sections of pavement leading to the access behind the falls. There was a lot of water on our visit so the spray was intense behind the falls. With a wide angle lens you can shoot the drop from behind. The access continues to the far side of the falls and a viewing platform that would be perfect except for a tree growing directly between the falls and the deck.
Although not approved, there is a way to the base of the falls. You can slip under the rain in an erroded part of the viewing area or jump over the railing in the back. The trails converge and descend steeply to the river. The area was slippery due to the spray on my visit, making getting a photograph difficult. My Nikon has gotten wet enough times. When I get back on a day with less water, I’ll explore further along the river but for this day it was pictures from the same place as everyone else.
Kid-friendly, yup. It’s a very pretty waterfall that ranks very low on the excitement meter and much like Looking Glass Falls, it will never be one of my favorites because it’s right on the side of the road.
BRIDAL VEIL FALLS. Bridal Veil Falls near Highlands has been famous for generations as the only waterfall in North Carolina you can drive behind. However, the section of road behind the falls is now blocked off from automobiles for safety. This allows you to walk behind and enjoy it more.
The 60-ft. waterfall in Nantahala National Forest doesn't have a large volume of water (unless it's right after a big rain), making it safe and fun to stand behind. It's located right along US Highway 64 (Mountain Waters Scenic Byway & NC Waterfall Byway), 2.5 miles west of Highlands in the Cullasaja River Gorge. There's roadside parking and very accessible to all (including wheelchairs, scooters and strollers).
When the highway was originally built, all traffic went behind the falls. But there were major problems in the winter with ice and falling rocks-year round! After heavy rain, the water flow increases.
SEQUOYAH FALLS (SEQUOYAH LAKE DAM FALLS) Getting to Lake Sequoyah Dam Falls from Highlands will take less than five minutes on US64. From the intersection of US64 and NC28 follow US64 West for 1.9 miles to the large parking area on the left. This parking area is right at the edge of Lake Sequoyah and even with Lake Sequoyah Dam Falls, which can be seen from the parking area.
The descent to the base of this man-made waterfall is from a scramble path located at the upper edge of the parking area. At the base of the path you will have to climb over a steel drainage pipe about 18 inches in diameter to reach the flat area in front of the falls. The symmetrical waterfall converges at a pile of small boulders in front of the dam and then heads downstream to toward the brink of Kalakaleskies Falls, which is only a few feet from the best viewing area for Lake Sequoyah Dam Falls. The rock is flat and not overly slippery but when wet, use caution. Going over Kalakaleskies Falls in the swift moving river will likely prove fatal.
RESOURCES: The National Park Service Website NPS.GOV
visitinc.com
blueridgemountainstravelguide.com
ncwaterfalls.com