Located in the Guion Farm region of DuPont State Forest, this hike will take you to one of the lesser known, but equally memorable, of the exciting DuPont waterfalls. You are surrounded by majestic pine forest nearly throughout, with a walk along Grassy Creek for good measure. Most of the way is excellent double track surface, but that means you should listen for the sound of mountain bikes coming up behind you. Keep your eyes on the map and the markers as you will change trails several times to finish this easy loop. My brother and I hiked to Wintergreen Falls on Thursday, January 23, 2020 beginning at 11:00AM and finishing about 1:50PM. Our plan was take Tarklin Branch and Wintergreen Falls trails to the waterfall, then return on Sandy Trail, Thomas Cemetery Trail, and Buckhorn Road.

Start in the south corner of the large Guion Farm parking area and head in a generally south direction on Tarklin Branch Trail, proceeding alongside a large meadow and into a mature pine forest. On sunny days, this transition from wide open spaces to dark canopy may take a moment for your eyes to adjust.

It’s roughly a mile from the trailhead to the next junction with Wintergreen Falls Trail. Along the way you will pass the occasional educational sign explaining the remedial work the State Forest Service has done to improve the pathways and waterways in the area, preventing flooding and washouts.

As DuPont is a working forest, so too will you find evidence of the logging activity that occurs throughout the state forest. You will pass a large clear cut area on your right along Tarklin Branch Trail, and later, as you meander along Thomas Cemetery Trail you will notice the forest thinning that has happened there. The loggers harvest only the most mature of the trees, leaving the younger ones for future use.

I think the forest that surrounds this region is among the most beautiful in DuPont. Another example of a beautiful pine forest hike off of Sky Valley Road is the Plantation Trail, a few miles farther up the road. The aroma of the pine is magnificent, and during warm weather you are treated to the wonderful bird music high above in the tallest boughs.

When you reach the junction, turn left (east) on Wintergreen Falls Trail, then it is an additional half mile to the waterfall. Continuing through the forest, you will notice fields of massive boulders on your left, fallen from the granite plutons high above. As you approach the end you will see horse tie-offs, and safety signs warning of the danger of waterfalls. First, you will reach the rocky whitewater cascades of Grassy Creek on your right, then wind your way northeast through a very thick rhododendron forest that parallels the creek.

As you duck through the rhodo branches, there are many large boulders creekside that are useful for setting up a camera tripod, or just sitting to watch… and listen. Wintergreen Falls is not particularly large, perhaps 15-20 feet tall and of equal width. The largest channel is on the left side of the cascade. During the dry season you can wade in the splash pool, but I wouldn’t recommend it during high flow periods.

This is Wintergreen Falls. Due to the very wet winter of 2020, it is flowing pretty nicely.

We stayed to visit for about 20 minutes, joined eventually by another pair of hikers. When we’d had enough, we returned the same way, a half-mile to the junction with Tarklin Branch. However, rather than going back, we turned left (west) here on Sandy Trail. This one is named appropriately. The tred on Sandy Trail is indeed quite sandy, remnants of being in the flood plain of Grassy Creek.

Grassy Creek starts with whitewater, but soon calms down to a slow, quiet stream cutting through dense, overhanging rhododendron thickets. Did you know that Grassy Creek is named for the evergreen teaberry ground cover that can be found along its banks? There is one junction where you can wade the creek to try Grassy Creek Trail, but we continued on Sandy Trail for 0.6-mile. At the end it rejoins Tarklin Branch Trail, but further southwest. Turn left.

It is roughly another half mile on Tarklin Branch to its meeting with Thomas Cemetery Trail. We turned right here (north), but you can also go left to view the Thomas Cemetery. Another wide double track, Thomas Cemetery Trail takes you through yet more stunning pine and hardwood forest. As mentioned above, there is evidence here of fairly recent logging activity.

We found a nice log on the side of the trail to enjoy lunch, and heard an unexpected crash in the forest nearby. We soon found out it was a State Forest Service ranger in a pickup truck driving through a frozen puddle, causing the crash-like loudness in the otherwise silent woods. We waved back and forth as he passed by, then put our packs back on to resume the trek.

You stay on Thomas Cemetery Trail for about a mile, until it crosses Buck Forest Road where you turn right. It’s then one last half mile on Buck Forest back to the parking lot. You will pass one of the few remaining inholdings within DuPont State Forest as you approach the finish. I often wonder how annoying it is to the people who live there to have hikers and bikers traversing their backyard day after day.

Summarizing this hike, the destination is a delightful picturesque waterfall deep within the forest. Along the way you’ll be treated to the smells and sounds of a vibrant pine woodland, the exciting rush of whitewater, and the calm soothing essence of a clear mountain stream. This is a great one for the whole family, both kids and the elderly, as it is not the least bit hard. Be careful around waterfalls as always, but have a great time.

This post was created by Jeff Clark. Please feel free to use the sharing icons below, or add your thoughts to the comments. Pack it in, pack it out. Preserve the past. Respect other hikers. Let nature prevail. Leave no trace.

Located in the heart of DuPont State Forest, Three Lakes Trail does exactly what its name implies… it takes you to a trio of very picturesque lakes near Conservation Road. Lake Dense is an ideal stop for a family picnic. Lake Alford, really more of a pond, may be the most vivid and charming of all. The largest, Lake Julia, is breathtaking from every angle. Add to this a stroll along Pitch Pine Trail to reach the lakes, and a visit to Bridal Overlook afterward, and you can make a delightful day in the woods of DuPont State Forest. I enjoyed this hike on Sunday, February 7, 2016 from 11:00AM to 3:00PM. My plan was to take Pitch Pine Trail to Three Lakes Trail, then on to Barn Trail and Shelter Rock Trail to reach Bridal Overlook Trail. My return was on Conservation Road.

Conservation Road slices through the center of DuPont State Forest. It is accessed via Buck Forest Road from the Visitor Center. As I crossed the covered bridge over Little River, I noticed that the river had apparently flooded during the heavy rainstorm earlier in the week. The woods to the south of Buck Forest Road had a couple feet of standing, swampy water with a thin sheen of ice. It reminded me of my youth running around the bayous of southern Louisiana.

A few hundred yards up Conservation Road is the trailhead for Pitch Pine Trail. This twisty path is a means of getting off the road and into the woods for a connection with Three Lakes Trail. Pitch Pine passes the occasional large boulder imbedded into the ground as if giants had once played a game. Keep your eye out for mountain bikers winding through the forest. Don’t want a collision.

Pitch Pine crosses Joanna Road then comes to the northern tip of Lake Dense a few hundred yards later at Three Lakes Trail. It is 1.1 miles total from the trailhead to Lake Dense. I remembered my last trip to this grassy area when I got stung by a yellow jacket. None of them around on this chilly and breezy February day, thank goodness. Lake Dense is no more than 2-3 feet deep and surrounded by a young pine forest. As you walk the north shore toward the picnic area the squishy ground is an indicator that the size of the lake ebbs and flows. A handful of ducks quacked their displeasure at my appearance from the middle of the pool.

The west end of Lake Dense is a wonderful family attraction with a picnic shelter, two piers for swimming and diving, and of course fishing. Standing tall above the lake is the rugged cliff face of Joanna Mountain to the east.

There was not a soul around as I wandered the rim of the lake. The breeze created ripples on the surface that shimmered in the mid-day sunlight. I imagined the gleeful screams of children as they jumped and splashed on a warm summer day. Today it was in contrast… peaceful and serene. The only reminders were the bluebird sky and the ghosts of summers past flittering on the wind.

I headed south and then east, back into the woods and on to the next destination. Lake Alford is three-tenths of a mile farther along the Three Lakes Trail. On the way is a hemlock restoration study area. The eastern hemlocks in DuPont have been decimated by the woolly adelgid blight that has infested nearly all hemlock forests in the Southern Appalachians. In this study area some hemlocks are being chemically treated, while others are biologically controlled by predator beetles. Unfortunately there aren’t enough living hemlocks left for a full recovery, but NC Forest Service specialists are studying the results of their remediation work to protect other groves throughout the state.

Lake Alford is the smallest of those along this excursion, just a half acre in size, more of a pond really. But I found it to be perhaps the most picturesque of all those I’ve seen scattered throughout the state forest. It too has a pier with benches for calmly sitting with your thoughts on a colorful autumn day. This would be a great place to bring a drawing pad to sketch the tall pines that surround the surface of this collection of emerald tears.

Moss and lichen at the bottom of Lake Alford give the pool its verdant appearance as it reflects the surrounding treeline.

Three Lakes Trail continues south at first for two-tenths mile, then turns westward along the shoreline of 100-acre Lake Julia. On the way I passed beneath a sapling bent over the trail like an arch, in a half-moon shape. Julia is by far the largest of the lakes in DuPont State Forest. From the overlook along Three Lakes Trail you can see the ranger station on the opposite bank, and the picnic area that is at the terminus of the Reasonover Creek Trail.

The trail follows the Lake Julia Spillway and then itself spills back onto Conservation Road for a short stretch. After crossing a bridge, you can walk up on top of and across the dam that retains Lake Julia, but don’t bring your bikes or horses. They aren’t allowed. On the other side of the dam it’s back again onto Conservation Road for a half mile or less.

On this day I passed by Bridal Veil Falls Road (been there, done that) and instead turned right at the next opportunity onto Barn Trail. This goes past the same horse barn seen from Bridal Veil Falls Road. During the green season the barn, or stable, is usually jumping with equestrian activity, but it is quiet in winter.

Barn Trail plunges back into the forest before meeting Shelter Rock Trail and continuing south to the power transmission line that dissects the southern region of DuPont. Shelter Rock Trail very briefly crosses Corn Mill Shoals Trail before reaching the junction with Bridal Overlook Trail. Take a right here to climb northward up the hill alongside the power lines. This is the only somewhat strenuous stretch of this entire hike, climbing approximately 240 feet.

Once you reach the top of the hill the trail once again crosses the power lines and opens to a magnificent vista of the distant Pisgah National Forest and the iconic pointed summit of Mt. Pisgah itself far in the distance. Once on the other side it’s another short climb up slick granite surface to the top of a knob known as Bridal Overlook.

Directly below is the roaring sound of Little River as it cascades over Bridal Veil Falls. You can see the Vulcan Rock Quarry all the way out on Hwy 64 between Etowah and Brevard, and the meadows and farmland of the Little River community. Bridal Overlook Trail dead-ends, and as tempting as it might be, you can’t get to the falls from here. It’s a long way straight down.

I paused at the outcrop overlook to enjoy lunch and the wonderful mountain view, but the cold breeze got the best of me after awhile and it was time to head back. I took Shelter Rock Trail back to Conservation Road, then in the interest of time decided to stay on the road all the way back to Buck Forest. As I walked along, I was treated to a salamander giving it his all to cross the road, a variety that I’ve never seen before. A little Googling found this little guy to be a scout salamander. His dynamic yellowish-orange spots were the identifier. See the photo in the gallery below.

In summary, this is a great hike to combine a little bit of everything offered by DuPont State Forest. Because I hiked more than eight miles I got some great, relaxed exercise because it wasn’t overly strenuous. Along the way I experienced three lakes, two waterfalls, and a fabulous overlook with viewing that stretched all the way to the Pisgah Ridge. Particularly the Pitch Pine and Three Lakes Trails would be ideal for all family members, and even great for a picnic as well. This area of DuPont can be somewhat crowded in summer, but I had the trails nearly all to myself in winter. I definitely look forward to going back to Lake Alford in both spring and fall.

Updated May 25, 2016: Time for a Spring trip to Three Lakes. Ken and I just happened to hit the mountain laurel at near peak bloom, a delightful addition to the already picturesque trails through this part of DuPont. Unfortunately the lake surfaces were covered with algae and grass clippings, so the usual mirror-like sheen wasn’t as pristine as normal. There isn’t much to see of Bridal Veil Falls from the overlook when leaves are on the trees, but there is still a very nice long distance view of Pisgah Ridge, far away to the north. The weather was delightful… the company too. Here’s a new photo gallery for you to compare seasons.

Updated December 21, 2016: How about one more photo gallery of this delightful hike at DuPont State Forest? This one on winter solstice 2016. Cold, cold in the morning, but absolutely glorious in the afternoon.

This post was created by Jeff Clark. Please feel free to use the sharing icons below, or add your thoughts to the comments. Pack it in, pack it out. Preserve the past. Respect other hikers. Let nature prevail. Leave no trace.

Beginning at the Guion Farm area of DuPont State Forest on Sky Valley Road you can make a nice hike on several roads that loop through a deep and dense pine woodland. This is a pine regrowth region that the N.C. Forest Service leases for controlled logging, so you may need to keep your eye out for large trucks, but you may also have the opportunity to see modern lumberjacks in action. Half way along the loop through the forest is a 19th century cemetery that encloses the remains of the Thomas family. Dave, Grace and I walked these roads on Friday, December 11, 2015 from 10:30AM to 12:45PM. Our plan was to take Hickory Mountain Road from Guion Farm to White Pine Road, then to Buck Forest Road and Thomas Cemetery Road, finally returning on Tarklin Branch Road.

The mission of the North Carolina Forest Service is to protect, manage and promote forest resources for the citizens of North Carolina. Included among the goals is occasional harvesting and restoration on state forest land, especially among pine forests.

Some of that pruning has been ongoing along Thomas Cemetery Road in DuPont State Forest. The specific goal is to transform 85 acres of a white pine plantation into a mixed hardwood forest. Timber from the restoration work will be salvaged and sold, and proceeds will fund projects in DuPont Forest geared toward public safety and maintenance of existing infrastructure.

So, as you hike these roads described here, you may think how sad it is that they’re harvesting portions of the beautiful forest. But there is a method to the management, and in the long term it benefits both the forest and the Forest. In the meantime, you can observe the logging actually taking place. Just be sure to stay a safe distance away, and obey any temporary road closure signs.

The logging is performed with a forwarder, a piece of equipment that minimizes soil disturbance and need for new roads.

This particular hike starts out at the Guion Farms parking area along Sky Valley Road. In the northwest corner of the large gravel parking lot is the trailhead for Hickory Mountain Road, heading toward Guion Farm itself. The first couple hundred yards are across a large field, then the road enters the pine forest. After roughly one third of a mile take a left turn on the aptly named White Pine Road.

If you’re like me, you will love the orangish-red color of the pine straw that covers the pathway. It also makes for a nice, cushiony tread for hiking. The white pines stand tall here, towering high above. White Pine Road is one half mile in length, and ends at a junction with Thomas Cemetery and Buck Forest Roads.

On the day Dave and I were there this northern end of Thomas Cemetery Road was closed for active logging, so we turned right onto Buck Forest Road with the hope that the south end of Thomas Cemetery Road would be open. Turns out the plan worked. After a mile on Buck Forest Road, when we reached the other end of Thom. Cem. Rd., there were no signs posted. We turned left here.

This direction also works out for quick access to the Thomas Cemetery itself. Just a couple hundred yards away on the right, the small family cemetery is surrounded by split rail fence. The tombstones indicate the resting place of the parents, and quite a large family of children. The stones on the children’s graves are all marked with their initials. The parents lived in the 19th century, and their marker is the only one with names and dates.

After passing the cemetery, we entered the central pine plantation and evidence of the recent logging on both sides of the road. It doesn’t look too bad. Obviously not clear cut, the pines have instead been thinned, leaving plenty of healthy trees to mix with the eventual hardwood growth. The aroma of pine fills the air and is magnificent.

About a half mile past the cemetery we reached the junction with Tarklin Branch Road and turned right onto it. Soon after, there is an option to go to Wintergreen Falls. Since we had been there recently we chose to pass on that and instead continue straight on Tarklin Branch for the final mile back to the parking area.

Our day wasn’t quite finished though. I was curious about the kid’s bike path on the west end of the parking lot, so we walked around and found a spot for lunch. See the tiny loop in the GPS track map above. This bike path is a very nice feature of the state forest, offering a miniaturized version of a fancy mountain bike track. There are bike jumps and teeter-totters, as well as raised and curved wooden tracks, all located within the midst of a stunning pine forest. Well done!

Returning to our vehicles after the circuit, we ran into three well known WNC hiking aficionados including Rich Stevenson, Brenda Wiley and Emily Felty. It’s always exciting to see others who share your same love of the beautiful WNC wild places.

To summarize, this nearly six mile loop is great for exercise, and a relaxing stroll through a remarkable pine forest that will fill all your senses. Bring your dawg along to share the beauty like we did, and it’s even ok if you ask gramma and grampa to join too. If you pack the kids with you, also be sure to bring their bikes so they can enjoy the bike trail built just for them.

This post was created by Jeff Clark. Please feel free to use the sharing icons below, or add your thoughts to the comments. Pack it in, pack it out. Preserve the past. Respect other hikers. Let nature prevail. Leave no trace.

There are 84 named trails in DuPont State Forest. This robust and mature trail system is a series of arteries that connect the various and disparate sections of this family friendly recreation area. In the central region of the state forest I put together a semi-loop hike that took me first to a waterfall, then to a hilltop summit, and finally to the tranquil banks of a mountain lake. Along the way I was able to enjoy the thoroughly entrancing forest and its wide variety of wildflowers and fungus. I took this hike on Friday, July 25, 2014 beginning at 8:15AM and ending about 12:30PM. My plan was to follow the roads and trails within DuPont to visit Grassy Creek Falls, Table Rock, and Lake Dense.

This hike begins at DuPont State Forest’s new Visitor Center on Buck Forest Road. Opened in summer 2013, the log cabin Visitor Center adds even more charm to DuPont’s superior recreation facilities. Start by heading through the gate and up Buck Forest Road, or if you like you can take a short side trip to High Falls. Cross the covered bridge over Little River, then remain on Buck Forest Road at the junction with Conservation Road.

As you continue on Buck Forest you will pass Chestnut Oak Road on your right. Remember this, because you will be coming back this way after your visit to Grassy Creek Falls. About the time you pass this junction you will begin to hear the rush of the waterfall to your left. Continue downhill a little further where the road makes a sweeping left curve and meets Lake Imaging Road after crossing Grassy Creek. Turn left here, and continue uphill for less than a quarter mile. The Grassy Creek Falls Trail will be on the left.

It’s a mere hundred yards to an observation point at the top of Grassy Creek Falls. Be careful near the falls, as the combination of granite, water, and algae makes for a very slick surface on this slide waterfall. I snapped a few photos, left my pack, and followed the volunteer trail down the hill to the base of the falls where I took a few more pictures. There is a small plunge pool here that would be nice for wading and splashing on a hot summer day.

Back to that Chestnut Oak Road junction I headed, and began the climb up into the central region of the state forest. As you walk these gravel roads through the beautiful forest here, think back to the people and conservancies who had the forethought to preserve this land for future generations back in the mid-1990’s. At that time, it had already been snatched up by developers, and these roads you walk now would have eventually become addresses for carpet bagger trophy homes.

About a quarter mile up Chestnut Oak Road, look for Oak Tree Trail on your left. This very sandy half mile is a connector between Chestnut Oak and Joanna Road. It was interesting to see the hoof prints left in the heavy sand from the equestrians that had passed along this trail in recent days. When you reach Joanna Road, turn left, and the majority of the climbing is done. Joanna Road continues deeper into the forest for another mile, also on a sandy pathway, taking you into the most remote area of DuPont.

As you reach a rise on Joanna Road, the Table Rock Trail is on your right. It continues slightly uphill, then levels out for the next half mile. The total length of Table Rock Trail is 0.9 mile, with one final uphill push to the summit. Along the way, I passed a wide variety of wildflowers including geraniums, daisies, queen anne’s lace, and little micro gardens of toadstools and other fungus that are common in the damp summer forests of Western North Carolina.

When I reached the top of Table Rock Trail, I was a little disappointed because I was hoping for an overlook of Lake Julia. With a name like Table Rock I was thinking rock outcropping. Not to be though. The summit sits just above the eastern inlet of the lake. Unfortunately, the best time to get a view here would be in winter when the leaves are down. I explored a little off trail looking for a vantage point, but it was not to be, so I pulled up a piece of ground and enjoyed a snack.

Returning to Joanna Road, my next destination was to be Lake Dense. It is approximately two miles from the Table Rock Trail junction to the Pitch Pine Trail connection on Joanna Road. Most of this is flat double-track so you will make good time as you stroll through the forest. Pass by Oak Tree Trail and continue on Joanna Road.

Not long afterward you will reach what appears to be an old quarry. At least there is a lot of broken rock there. This clearing is a vantage point of the mountains that overlook DuPont State Forest. You will see a number of very large granite slabs that surround this domed area, much like those found in the Cedar Rock region of the forest.

Joanna Road begins a descent beyond this point and eventually reaches the Pitch Pine Trail. I encountered my first other person of the day as a mountain biker came riding up Pitch Pine from Lake Dense. For three hours I’d had the forest all to myself, so I was a little startled when I saw the colorful biker togs. Turn left on Pitch Pine to head to the lake.

It’s just a tenth mile to the eastern end of Lake Dense. After the long stretch on Joanna Road I was getting pretty hungry so I sat in the grass beside the lake to enjoy lunch. I could hear others having a great time at the other end of the lake as their loud splashes indicated some kind of diving pier. Unfortunately, the maintenance workers were also out and their chain saws kinda harshed the mellow mood. It was odd, as chain saws aren’t something you hear in national forests. I suppose the state doesn’t mind.

Pushing myself up from the ground, I placed my hand right on a yellow jacket in the grass. Not surprisingly, she didn’t like that very well and decided to put a hole in the palm of my hand. While having a little internal scream in pain, I noticed there were several yellow jackets hovering in the grass. Lucky I didn’t sit on their nest.

Continuing around the lake on the Pitch Pine Trail I passed several beautiful swamp hibiscus and reached the northeastern shore where all the recreation facilities are. Included are two piers and a picnic shelter. There was a nice couple setup at the shelter taking photos from the pier. They introduced themselves and we talked cameras for awhile, then their companion said they were there for an Overland Unlimited tour. Apparently they operate guided jeep tours in the Blue Ridge and Smokies. So if there are any of you landscape photographers out there who find it difficult to get around on the hiking trails, you might want to consider Overland Unlimited.

I took several pictures myself including the one at the top of this post. The weather was perfect and the puffy white clouds cast a cottony reflection on the surface of the lake. A young family was teaching their toddler how to wade in the water and for a little while I was able to simply live in the moment. It’s a very nice spot.

For future reference, from here you can head south on the Three Lakes Trail and also go to Lake Alford and Lake Julia. By now, though, I’d had a very complete morning and was ready to head back. So I went north where I rejoined Joanna Road a hundred yards later. Before getting back to the road I got to meet a 6′ black snake who was having a bit of trouble climbing the bank beside the pathway. Glad he wasn’t around where I sat for lunch.

Joanna Road meets Conservation Road for a final quarter mile back to the covered bridge on Buck Forest Road. After going three hours without seeing anyone, I must have encountered 20 people on this little stretch out to enjoy the afternoon. There was an interesting scene awaiting me at the bridge as I managed to capture horseback riders, a mountain biker, and several hikers all in one photo. To me, that summed up perfectly what DuPont State Forest is all about. No matter how you like to get around, there are trails that everyone can enjoy.

In summary, this 10-miler will give you a good idea what DuPont State Forest has to offer. In this case, waterfalls, forest and lakes. There’s quite a bit of walking in between, but isn’t that why you’re out there? The trail system at DuPont is so complete that you can get between features very easily. Make an entire day of it, or head there for a short hike after work. Regardless, you’re bound to have one of those special moments just like I did.

This post was created by Jeff Clark. Please feel free to use the sharing icons below, or add your thoughts to the comments. Pack it in, pack it out. Preserve the past. Respect other hikers. Let nature prevail. Leave no trace.

Transylvania County, NC is known as the “Land of Waterfalls,” and for good reason. There are more than 250 waterfalls in the county, with many of the most spectacular falls in the heart of DuPont State Forest. Included among those are Bridal Veil and Grassy Creek Falls, both classic slide waterfalls that carve their way over large granite slabs. DuPont also has several pristine lakes such as Lake Julia and Lake Imaging. All of the features of DuPont State Forest are connected by a mature trail system that is well maintained and fun to explore. This hike occurred on Tuesday, January 24, 2012 from 10:45am to 3:00pm. The plan was to take Buck Forest Road to Conservation Road, then on to Bridal Veil Falls Road and a view of the falls. On the way back we would go further out Buck Forest Road to Grassy Creek Falls. While there, we discovered a trail that wasn’t on the map and said, “what the heck.”

View Bridal Veil Falls, Grassy Creek Falls, Lake Imaging, DuPont State Forest in a larger map

The central area of DuPont State Forest is all about water. There are several lakes to enjoy, and the Little River drops nearly 1400 feet over a series of spectacular waterfalls. Fortunately for outdoor enthusiasts like us there are plenty of roads and trails to get around from one water feature to another.

Buck Forest Road has a large parking area for access to this central area of the forest. At one time this was going to be a high-dollar real estate development, but the State of NC saw the natural beauty and stepped in to protect the land for the ages. As you start hiking on Buck Forest Rd. you come to a covered bridge over Little River that is a remnant of the aborted development. To the left is the precipice of 150′ High Falls. You can’t see it, but you sure can hear it. Just past the bridge we took Conservation Road to the right. We would be back later to continue on Buck Forest, but for now we headed toward Bridal Veil Falls.

All of these forest roads are smooth; partly gravel, partly dirt. There are gates that prevent vehicles from using the roads, but keep an eye and ear out for bicycles as the roads are equally popular for hikers and bikers alike. Conservation Rd. starts through a mixed forest of deciduous and evergreen trees as it skirts the boundary of the remaining private property within the forest. Even when the leaves are off in winter you can barely make out what was formerly the buildings of DuPont Corp. when they still operated here. They are/were well hidden.

We passed trailheads along the way to Pitch Pine, Joanna Rd., and Lake Dense. It’s a relatively flat stroll of 3/4 mile to the Lake Julia Spillway, a creek/river that is overflow from the reservoir that is next on the left. Another .3 mile past the reservoir we turned right on Bridal Veil Falls Rd. In addition to hiking and biking, the DuPont trail system is quite popular with equestrians. There is a very nice horse stable on Bridal Veil Falls Rd. that is available to the public in all seasons but winter. Folks will come to the state forest to camp and stable their steeds as well.

After about 1/4 mile Bridal Veil Falls Rd. deadends at a small picnic area, but continues as a pine straw covered trail through the forest. We could hear the prominent sound of water — a sign the falls was not much further. There’s an observation deck along the trail with a nice view of the lower section of Bridal Veil Falls through the forest. We could tell already that she was roaring from all the recent rain. My friend commented that he has never seen the falls so wide.

In fact, that enhanced water flow made it difficult for us to continue to the upper falls. To reach the upper falls you actually have to hike on the granite that makes up the bed of the lower falls. See the photo at the top of this post. Since the flow was so much wider than normal, the climb up the granite was very slippery. We noticed right away the signs that said, “Danger! Risk of injury or worse!” But what kind of Meanderthals would we be if we didn’t proceed with cautious abandon?

I’m glad that we did. The rushing water has carved pockets in the granite where pools form. These pools make for nice reflective photographs, and even a nice place to cool your feet on a hot summer day. My hiking buddy said you can walk behind the falls when the water flow is down, but that wasn’t in the cards for us on this day. The river takes a bend as it rushes from the upper falls to the lower falls and really kicks up the whitewater.

On the way back on Conservation Rd. we took a trail up on top of the Lake Julia dam. On this near windless day the water was mirror still. The winter weather this year in western NC has been unbelievably mild. I suppose it has been throughout most of the country. It was quite the contrast to what I saw on a different hike to the other side of Lake Julia.

When we reached the junction with Buck Forest Rd. we headed east to Grassy Creek Falls. The road makes a steep climb for about .2 mile, really the most climbing we had to do the whole day. Then, it goes right back down the other side as it follows Grassy Creek on the left. There are several side roads off Buck Forest that would have been the streets for the phantom housing development. I suspect the developers lost out on windfall profits from land sales, but I am very grateful the state stepped up to conserve this wild area for future generations.

At the bottom of the dip, Lake Imaging Rd. takes off to the left and just 50 feet later is the trail to Grassy Creek Falls. From there it’s a short couple hundred yards to the top of the falls. This is another of the slide variety that are so common in western NC. Right at the top of the falls is a bench-type outcrop in the granite that was a perfect spot for lunch and a chance to ponder these marvelous surroundings. I swished my hands in the rushing, refreshing water. It was cold, but nothing like it has been in January’s past.

On our way back up from Grassy Creek Falls, we noticed a trail that was not on the official DuPont State Forest map. It was properly signed, so perhaps it’s brand new. Called the Hilltop Trail, it headed north following the path of Little River to Triple Falls. We thought there may be an overlook on this side of the river from the normal Triple Falls Trail that is on the other side. This is where we said “what the heck,” and gave it a try. We found a Hilltop Loop Trail on our map and figured this Hilltop Trail would join up with that for a nice view.

Hilltop Trail lives up to its name as it follows a ridge on the east side of the river. The forest here is quite beautiful, and there is a healthy covering of ground cedar, moss and ferns to keep this area green year round. After about 20 minutes of hiking we began to hear the sounds of Triple Falls to our left and then just a glimpse through the trees. Just a little farther and there were nice views of the mountains of Pisgah National Forest in the distance to the west.

We came to a trail crossroad sign that said Lake Imaging Rd. one way and Hilltop Loop Trail another. Again, confusion. We took the trail that seemed the correct compass direction hoping to see a clear view of Triple Falls. After a mile of winding through the forest we discovered Lake Imaging. So, it wasn’t where we wanted to go, but a nice destination nonetheless. Really not much bigger than a pond, there were picnic tables around and another chance for still, mirror-like photos. The Lake Imaging Rd. parking and trailhead on Staton Rd. is also a popular place for horse trailers to unload.

We headed back up the hill from Lake Imaging the way we came. When we returned to the Hilltop Trail junction we began watching very closely for indications of a former trail that may have been the Hilltop Loop. Perhaps it had been retired? We never did find another trail, but still enjoyed ourselves as we went back past the obscured sights and sounds of Triple Falls. For a trail that was not on the map, it was surprising how many other hikers and bikers we encountered. It was kinda like 11 Types of People You Meet On a Hike.

The rest of the hike was back over previously covered territory. Back to Grassy Creek and Buck Forest Road. Back to the covered bridge. We stopped for another look into the distance over the edge of High Falls. Lastly, the final stretch from the bridge back to the Buck Forest parking area. At the end of the day we had hiked a rewarding 7.5 miles. No matter the unseasonably mild winter, DuPont State Forest is a great place for winter hiking in western North Carolina. The mountains and water features are just as spectacular as surrounding national forests, but 3000 feet lower in elevation, so you don’t get as much snow and ice.

Update This is such a scenic hike, I will try to give seasonal updates. On Tuesday July 3, 2012 I made another visit to Bridal Veil Falls. Along the way I stopped at Lake Julia and the spillway for some picture taking. If you compare the photos above with the ones below, you will see the water flow was significantly less on this trip. Something for you to consider when you prepare for a winter hike vs. a summer hike. The lower flow makes it quite a bit easier to climb the granite to the upper falls. It was even low enough for me to scoot in behind the falls.

You can only get back there when the water flow is low. It’s only about three feet high, so you have to bend way over. It’s really a pretty uncomfortable place, especially when you consider how slippery the granite is. Despite all that, for some reason I still found the need to give it a go.

This post was created by Jeff Clark. Please feel free to use the sharing icons below, or add your thoughts to the comments. Pack it in, pack it out. Preserve the past. Respect other hikers. Let nature prevail. Leave no trace.