Dupont State Forest, Part III: High Falls
**DISCLAIMER: While all of the waterfalls featured on Becauseitzthere can be safely hiked and enjoyed, be aware that there is GREAT RISK involved in venturing off trail near ANY of the waterfalls described here. We advise you to HIKE SAFELY. Please remember that you are responsible for your own safety on the trail. This site and its editors bear no responsibility for any accidents that occur as a result of engaging in any of the hikes described on these pages. Don’t be blamin’ us now, hear? END DISCLAIMER**
The 10,000 acres that is DuPont State Forest features much more than waterfalls. There are lakes here too, and high exposed peaks over 3000 feet, and even a mountain biking trail that traverses open rock ledges. But most do come for the waterfalls.
As one proceeds up the Little River – one of eleven rivers in the state of North Carolina with that name, this one a tributary of the French Broad – increasingly larger and more impressive falls appear. Fourteen foot tall Hooker falls is superseded by the three plunges, each over 30 feet, of Triple Falls; and this is in turn surpassed by the single slanted drop of 120 feet that is High Falls. Further upstream is the first, and what many consider the best, of all the Little River Falls; yet another 120 foot deluge named Bridal Veil Falls (not to be confused with the drive up falls of the same name further west in Highlands.) But that will have to wait for another day.
High falls was our target this final day of our visit to DuPont State Forest. We had, ahem, high hopes for it. We were not to be disappointed.
High Falls can be reached from below by a combination of the Triple Falls Trail, which joins the High Falls Trail; or it cane be hiked from above, from a parking area that links to the unpaved and walkable Buck Forest Road. From here it’s a short level hike to the top of the falls. But to really see it, you need to descend the High Falls Trail.
High Falls is not quite a straight plunge – very few waterfalls in this part of the country are, and this is but one of many reasons why THAT falls, though ‘only’ 167 feet tall, is so incomparably greater than any other.
There’s no question that High Falls was the most energetic of the three falls we visited in DuPont State Forest. You can get surprisingly close to its base…just don’t engage in Le Stupid, and you’ll be fine.
One of the best things about this falls is the ‘bounce effect’ of the water as it hits rock slabs on the way down and deflects into the air in large, graceful arcing ribbons. We have seldom seen this effect in any other falls in the Appalachians. The pictures taken here were not by any means captured during high water…we can only imagine what this must be like during spring runoff.
The Friends of DuPont Forest has a great image gallery.
After enjoying the roaring spectacle for a while, we set off back to the top of the falls, where there is a covered bridge atop the river just a few yards short of the dropoff. That little stretch of river looks deceptively benign, but right behind that last rock is a drop of 120 feet…more than enough to kill.
Brian recalls that here, Sylvia’s old pair of Lowa Boots fell apart on her (this was a tough trip for Sylvia, who had fallen at the base of Triple Falls.) Since we were packing light, Brian did not have his proper hiking kit with him, which always includes a roll of ‘Universal Repair Element’, IE duct tape. Fortunately, a couple of passing hiker had some and Sylvia’s sole, ahem, was saved.
We very much enjoyed DuPont State Park and are very glad this natural gem was saved from both pollution and the even worse ravages of development. Always keep in mind that things don’t fix or save themselves. Only by direct action can we save our national natural treasures for future generations to enjoy.
There is tons more to explore here…there’s Bridal veil falls, several other waterfalls, the park’s highest point Stone Mountain, a network of mountain biking trails and an extensive backcountry. One resource at least lists the trail mileage here as 86 miles.
We love this area of the Carolinas. DuPont State Forest is here, and not far away in this border country is the beautiful new Gorges State Park, home of Rainbow Falls. To the south lies Caesar’s Head, Jones Gap and Table Rock State Parks in South Carolina, with access to the Foothills Trail; and just to the north lies Brevard, our favorite small town in NC, with nearby Looking Glass Rock and John Rock and access to the Blue Ridge Parkway.
The question is not if we’ll be back, but when. It’s a place to return to again and again.
We hope you have enjoyed this virtual waterfall tour of DuPont State Forest, which is a Waterfall Week in itself!
