Pisgah National Forest, NC - Waterfall T rip & Pics

“Pisgah National Forest, NC
Looking Glass Rock Area
SCJack solo Day Hike / Waterfall Wandering
Cove Creek/Caney Bottom Loop, Cove Creek Falls, Daniel Ridge Falls (aka Jackson Falls), Slick Rock Falls, Moore Cove Falls
Saturday, January 24, 2004

For today, I decided on (4) waterfall destinations in the Pisgah National Forest, Looking Glass Rock Area, just North of Brevard, NC.


1st Stop - Cove Creek/Caney Bottom Loop Hike:

From Brevard, NC, take US276 North into the Pisgah National forest. Go approximately 5 miles and turn left on FR475 (towards the Pisgah Fish Hatchery). It is about a mile to the Fish Hatchery after which the road turns to gravel, go about another 2 miles and you will see the Pisgah Cove Creek Campground sign on your right. On the left is a small parking area.

The hike starts out on a gated off gravel road. The road goes through the creek, but a small detour to the right leads to a footbridge across. The trailhead will be on your left just before you arrive at a grassy picnic area.

The trail goes around the picnic area and soon forks. To the left is the yellow blazed Cove Creek Trail and to the Right is the Blue Blazed Caney Bottom Trail. They meet up again in about 2.5 miles making for a nice 5-mile loop hike. Doing the loop counter clockwise, turn right and take the Cove Creek Trail

The trail passes a primitive campsite and then crosses the creek again. Immediately past this creek crossing the trail turns sharply to the right, but if you want to see Cove Creek Falls, turn left here and head upstream. This side trail follows the creek and arrives at the base of Cove Creek Falls in about 0.2 miles. After enjoying the Falls head back to the main trail to continue the loop.

This is a nice easy hike with a gradual uphill grade, and many nice cascades to see along the way. You will come across another nice sized waterfall, but it is not that pretty. There is no trail leading down to the base, but you might be able to find a way down. To me it didn’t look nice enough to be worth the effort.

The trail continues on and eventually meets up with the Cove Creek Trail, which is pretty much just an easy walk in the woods. The trails join back together at the same junction that you passed earlier and heads back to the parking area.

Trail Quality and Enjoyment Rating = 5.0/10
Difficulty Rating = 4.0/10
Cove Creek Falls Waterfall Rating = 7.0/10



2nd Stop - Daniel Ridge Falls
Continue on FR475 for about another mile until you see a parking area (room for about 10 cars) and a gated road on the right

The short hike of less than a half-mile starts past the gate on another dirt road. Just keep heading straight on this dirt road. You will pass the 1st trailhead for the Daniel Ridge Loop, and the Falls is just past the 2nd Daniel Ridge Loop trailhead. The falls can be viewed from this dirt road, but trees block much of the view. Fortunately a short trail leads to a much better view of the Falls. After enjoying the falls you can return the way you came, or enjoy the Daniel Ridge Loop Hike.

Difficulty Rating = 2.0/10
Daniel Ridge Falls Waterfall Rating = 6.0/10



3rd Stop - Slick Rock Falls
Head back the way you came on FR475, just before the Fish Hatchery and before the road turns back to a paved road - turn left. In a little over a mile you will see a small pull-off parking area on the right.

Slick Rock Falls can be seen from the parking area. A short easy climb will take you to the base of the Falls. Another nice, easy to access falls! If you want some more hiking; past the Falls, the trail continues on for about another mile. It’s a gradual, moderate climb but not all that interesting. However, it ends up at the base of Looking Glass Rock Cliffs, which is an impressive sight!

Slick Rock Falls Waterfall Rating = 5.0/10



Last Stop - Moore Cove Falls:
Head back to US276 and turn left. You will pass Looking Glass Falls on your right. Looking Glass Falls is a MUST SEE if you are in the area, but construction is currently blocking access to the Falls, so I passed it by this time. About a mile past Looking Glass Falls is the pull-off area for the Moore Cove Falls Trail.

This easy trail off just under a mile will take you to Moore Cove Falls, which drops over a nice sized cave and you can actually walk behind it for an interesting perspective. There is an unofficial campsite near the base of the Falls and another smaller waterfall just past this campsite. The trail is nice, and easy, but nothing spectacular. However, Moore Cove Falls is well worth the easy 1.5-mile out and back hike.

Difficulty Rating = 3.0/10
Moore Cove Falls Waterfall Rating = 8.0/10




Overall, it was a beautiful day with temperatures near 60 and not a cloud in the sky. The perfect day for hiking. Unfortunately the bright sun does not make for the greatest waterfall photography, but I gave it my best shot!

Pictures can be seen here:
http://community.webshots.com/album/113453297rpvdfz?186


SCJack”

“Thanks, Jack. I did a bit of hiking in that area a few years ago. It was great to reminisce.”