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.

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.

Down in the far southern section of DuPont State Forest is the Reasonover area, near the community of Cedar Mountain. Home to several trails and a couple of reservoirs, like most of DuPont, Reasonover is a great place to go hiking. Especially if you want to stay away from the high country during the winter season, Reasonover is less than 3,000 feet, so you’re a lot less likely to encounter snow and ice. The Reasonover Creek Trail is the hub, with many other trails and forest roads branching out in every direction. This hike occurred on Thursday, January 16, 2014 beginning at 10:00AM and ending about 2:45PM. Our plan was to take the Reasonover Creek Trail to Lake Julia, then climb up to the airfield on Camp Summit Road and on to Fawn Lake Road to complete the loop. We ended up taking a side trip as well.

We have passed through the little community of Cedar Mountain many times on our way to South Carolina hiking at Caesars Head and Jones Gap. But if you hang a left on Reasonover Road just before reaching Cedar Mountain, you will find the Reasonover area at the southern tip of DuPont State Forest.

The Reasonover trailheads are easily recognizable as there is a large signboard with trail maps and other state forest info. Basically there are two choices here: Reasonover Creek Trail goes to the right (north) and Fawn Lake Road goes left. We chose to take the loop counterclockwise by starting on Reasonover Creek Trail.

The trail starts out through a relatively thin hardwood forest with scattered juvenile pine. It looks like there has been forest management logging done here in the past. None of the trees are particularly old. The trail winds in a generally downward path, but very gradually. Within 10-15 minutes you are within earshot of Reasonover Creek.

When you reach the creek, it’s time for a rock hop. Fear not. This is the only creek crossing on this hike, and pretty straightforward. It’s a fairly wide crossing, probably 40-50 feet, but the rocks are interspersed well to enable stepping from one stone to the next. I’ve never been here when the water is really roaring, so it could be potentially hazardous, but most days if you pay attention, the crossing is a piece of cake.

Once on the east side of Reasonover Creek, the trail begins climbing out of the creek drainage in an easterly direction. After a quarter mile it makes a turn to the north, then reaches a junction with Turkey Knob Road. In my one previous visit to Reasonover, I had not ventured out to Turkey Knob, so my companion for the day suggested we give it a go.

Turkey Knob Road is a nice wide, flat trail through the forest that meets the Poplar Hill Loop at Turkey Knob. The combination of the two trails added roughly four miles to our total hike. Once on the Poplar Hill Loop, there is a decline of about 200 feet on the south side, then back up on the north. There’s nothing of special interest on this trail, other than peaceful, beautiful forest, and oh, did I mention the old fifties era Nash Rambler that is buried in the leaves of many a season? Made a wrong turn I suppose.

To return to the Reasonover Creek Trail it’s back the way you came, and then a meandering walk of about a mile along the ridge above Lake Julia. When you reach a point on the trail where you can see the lake through the trees (only in winter), the trail begins its descent back down to the creek.

At the bottom, you will find the best place to view Reasonover Creek on this hike, and a path right along the creek bank for several hundred yards. You’ll pass an old, broken-down hunting shelter and then reach the Devendorf Bridge to cross the creek. The bridge is named for Bill Devendorf, the volunteer caretaker of DuPont State Forest from 2001-2004.

It’s just a leisurely stroll now along the southern tip of Lake Julia, past the boathouse, then reaching a sort of park on a narrow cape that juts into the lake from the west. This is a perfect spot for lunch as there are several picnic tables and a relaxed view of the lake and surrounding mountains. That’s the photo at the top of this post.

There’s plenty to do in this area including paddle boating and fishing, or just plain goofing off on a delightfully beautiful day. The hot soup I brought in my thermos really warmed me up on this crisp day in mid-January. You probably want to rest here for several minutes, because the next stretch of the hike is back uphill to the western ridge above the lake.

Start out on Lake Julia Road westbound for about a hundred yards, then take a hard left on Camp Summit Road up the hill. You’ll pass a residence and then reach a surprising air strip at the top of Camp Summit. Yes, DuPont State Forest really does have its own stolport. There are any number of trails to explore from this air strip, but for this hike follow the signs across the strip to Conservation Road.

It’s a short way to the junction with Fawn Lake Road, your next destination. Turn right on Fawn Lake Road, then bear left past the Fawn Lake Loop access. You can take the loop if you wish, but it just winds behind, and away from the lake.

Like many of the lakes in DuPont State Forest, Fawn Lake is a reservoir. It’s a lot smaller than Lake Julia, and is a haven for swimmers in summer. There are picnic tables, a gazebo, and a diving boardwalk for those who enjoy family-friendly outdoor activities when the weather is warm and toasty.

The one previous time I had been to Fawn Lake, it was frozen and was making the oddest popping and cracking sounds as the water was trying to thaw. Although the temperature on this visit was near freezing, there hadn’t been enough continuously cold days for the lake to ice-over. I can imagine it would be ideal for skating if there was a week-long deep freeze.

We paused for several minutes to enjoy the view and ponder the myriad of trails that are found in this area. From the air strip you can reach Bridal Veil Falls. From Lake Julia you can continue down Lake Julia Road past Lake Dense, and eventually on to the big waterfalls in the central section of the forest. From Fawn Lake you can head westward to Corn Mill Shoals and Burnt Mountain. Like I said up top, the Reasonover area is home to a wealth of trails.

From Fawn Lake it’s just a hop, skip and jump back to the parking area at the starting point. In all, on this day, we covered just over 11 miles. If you cut out the side trip on Turkey Knob to Poplar Hill Loop, you can knock four miles off of that. If only doing the Reasonover Creek loop I would rate this an easy hike, but adding the 2nd loop makes it more moderately difficult simply because of the distance. You’re the best judge of what your capabilities are.

DuPont State Forest has become our go-to destination for winter hiking. Hovering around 3,000 feet rather than the taller mountains in nearby Pisgah National Forest, you are a lot less likely to be stymied by snow and ice. The caretakers of DuPont State Forest do an absolutely fabulous job with trail maintenance. No matter the season, you can always count on smooth, even trails that are easy on the feet.

Thinking back, this is the 2nd time I’ve done this hike at Reasonover, both times in the winter season. I’m going to make a point to go back some time during the green season this year to see how it differs. In the meantime, share your experiences with us by using the comments box below.

Updated December 20, 2015: Made another pass around this beautiful loop. Here’s a few more photos.

Updated January 28, 2020: My brother and I made a visit to Reasonover Creek on a beautiful late January day. It should be noted that the footbridge across the creek just before you get to Lake Julia is out. We had to do an unexpected wet creek crossing at the horse ford. The water depth there was about 2.5 feet. Cold in January.

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.

DuPont State Forest, in western North Carolina between Hendersonville and Brevard, was sold to the state by DuPont Corporation under favorable donation and conservation terms in 1996. Within its boundary are more than 10,000 forested acres and 80 miles of hiking and biking trails. Elevation ranges from 2300′ at Hooker Falls on the Little River to 3600′ on Stone Mountain. The state forest lies on an upland plateau of the Little River Valley with moderate hills and mountains that are topped with large granite domes and slabs. Cedar Rock, loved by hikers and mountain bikers alike, is one of those large domes covering hundreds of acres. This hike occurred on Thursday, December 15, 2011 from 11:50am to 1:30pm. The plan was to climb Cedar Rock by taking the Corn Mill Shoals Trail to the Little River Trail, then on to the Cedar Rock Trail to the summit, and back down on the Big Rock Trail.

This short scenic hike is ideal for young and old, hiking beginners and veterans alike. It’s short enough that it won’t tire the oldsters or out-of-shape couch types, yet challenging and adventurous enough to keep seasoned hikers entertained. If mountain biking is your thing, then you will love these trails too. The weather has been unseasonably mild in the Carolinas this December, so my companion and I got a late morning start so we could enjoy the forecasted sunshine and mid-sixties temp. Someone just forgot to tell Mother Nature as it was misting, grey and windy when we put our boots down on Corn Mill Shoals Trail.

The trailhead is across Cascade Lake Rd. from the parking area. Look both ways before crossing. The first 3/4 mile is a flat stroll through a conifer forest comprised primarily of hemlock and white pine. Trails and junctions within DuPont State Forest are well signed, even though there aren’t any colored blaze marks. If you have one of the handy state forest trail maps available at the parking areas or here, it is quite easy to find your way. The first junction we came to was for the Burnt Mountain Trail, but that was a destination for another day. We continued on Corn Mill Shoals just a bit further to the fork with Little River Trail. We took that to the left.

Little River isn’t really much of a river in this section of the forest, more like a creek, but it does roar over major waterfalls in other areas within the boundary. Here, it is enough to entice the rhododendron to plant themselves and offer a channel for the trail to follow. While a beautiful scene in December, be sure to check out this area some time in June too so you can enjoy the flowering rhodies. I make little mental notes to myself throughout the year of places filled with thickets of rhododendron so I can return for the seasonal efflorescence. Western North Carolina is so rich with rhododendron that my list is beginning to overflow from my ears.

Another flat 3/4 mile and we reached the junction with the Cedar Rock Trail. You can continue an additional half mile on the Little River Trail to make a larger loop with the Cedar Rock Trail, but we were anxious to get to the top just in case that threatening weather decided to take a turn for the worse. Cedar Rock Trail climbs 450 feet in a little more that half a mile. That may seem somewhat strenuous, but it really isn’t too bad. It’s all over hard, even granite without any rock scrambling or switchbacks.

I really like this section of the trail. This was my second visit to Cedar Rock Mountain, and upon glimpsing the scene I immediately remembered the special appeal. The granite is covered with an odd but beautiful moss/lichen vegetation that fills my addled brain with questions. How does it grow on the rock? How does it thrive year round, remaining green even in winter? The forest management folks ask that we not walk on this fragile, sensitive ecosystem so that it will thrive and be available for future generations to enjoy, just as I do.

Another great thing about the Cedar Rock Trail is the granite itself. I’m reminded why kitchen counter tops can be so colorful. Seams of mauve and taupe, yellow-green and grey run through the stone. Combine that with the streaks made by rain runoff through the vegetation and you’ll pique an interior decorator’s imagination. I tend to slow down climbing this trail — not so much because it is uphill — but because I like to look at the ground I walk on.

Don’t focus entirely on your feet though, because there is plenty to see to either side. To the right, or east, is a view of Joanna Mountain nearby and Grassy Mountain a little further in the distance. In the basin below is Lake Julia, but I haven’t been able to make it out with my old Meanderthal eyes. Perhaps you can. The westerly view is of what will be the descent trail, Big Rock. Behind are the mountains of the Blue Ridge Escarpment that shape the border between North and South Carolina.

At the summit of Cedar Rock is the junction with Big Rock Trail, and with the other end of the Cedar Rock Trail that comprises the larger loop I mentioned before. The top is quite flat, and large. The trail winds in and around the moss/lichen and the short, gnarly pine that manages to exist despite raging winter weather. The wind picked up. I started to leave my outer layer in the car when we began. It’s good to make myself remember that I can always take layers off, but I can’t put on what I don’t have with me. The north side of the Cedar Rock summit is a dome that has an inviting view of the Pisgah Ridge far in the distance to the north. A great spot for lunch.

We found a spot nestled up against a wind-break of pine bushes and told each other how we’ve frequented some of the best lunch spots the region has to offer. 4-star dining you say? I’ll take a turkey sandwich, a Henderson County apple, and a few pretzels on top of a mountain in the Blue Ridge any day.

Following lunch, I pulled out the monopod to take a few long distance photos of the high country in the distance, including the one at the top of this post. As we were gathering up our gear to head back down, we encountered a parade of mountain bikers — first one, then another, and finally a third — all solo riders just minutes apart. We paused to chat about mostly nothing except how fortunate we were to have this golden opportunity… as long as the rain held off.

And so it did. We made it down the Big Rock Trail and back to the car without a drop. The first half of Big Rock is very similar to the Cedar Rock Trail with lots of the moss/lichen mix over a granite surface. About half way down it begins to change to more of a dirt surface and rhododendron lined pathway. It seemed like the end came too soon.

Since the day was still young, my friend suggested a way back home that he knew of that followed a dirt road over Pinnacle Mountain to Flat Rock, NC. I said let’s go. We took Cascade Lakes Road to Reasonover Road around the southern end of DuPont State Forest and past Reasonover Lake. There the road forked to Green River on the right and Pinnacle Mountain on the left.

It was about three miles of curvy, windy backcountry road that went from the vulgar to the sublime. After about a mile, we encountered a clear cut logging operation on the southeast side of the road. Totally ugly with no hint of remorse… we hoped they simply weren’t finished yet and would be back to replant and revitalize. Without remediation this side of the mountain will be prone to erosion and a blight on an otherwise gorgeous area.

But, after we crossed Pinnacle Mountain we entered horse country. Farm after farm of bucolic pastures with split rail fences, rolling hills, and hay shelters. There were horses all over. After the farms came the mountain subdivisions of the uber-rich with pavilions and amphitheaters overlooking Flat Rock and Hendersonville below.

If you’re looking for short hikes to stretch your legs, you can’t go wrong at Dupont State Forest. There are waterfall trails, forest trails, lakes and even a few small mountains to climb. I like to save DuPont trails for winter, because the elevation is 3000 feet lower than the surrounding high country, and there is less likelihood of encountering snow and ice.

Updated March 29, 2016: Made another visit to this delightful section of DuPont State Forest. The understory alongside the Cedar Rock Trail was showing some scarring from recent prescribed burning, but that will be rejuvenated within a matter of months. Otherwise everything looked great on all the trails. Hope you enjoy the new photos below:

Updated November 2, 2017: It seemed like a Fall visit to Cedar Rock was in order. The oaks and maples come alive in late October to early November. The unseasonably warm weather has continued and made for short sleeve hiking weather the first week of November. Let’s hope this doesn’t mean another bad fire season in 2017. Enjoy the pictures!

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.