The first paragraph below gives directions for an easy,
half-mile stroll to the highest cascade in the eastern United
States. Keep reading for a hike up the river, approaching
the falls from below.
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From Toxaway’s main entrance, drive west on Highway 64 toward Cashiers. After
about one mile, turn left at the Sapphire Country Store, heading south on Highway
281. You will reach the entrance to Whitewater Falls after 8.5 miles. Park here (and
pay a $2 fee) for an easy 1/2 mile walk to the falls.
If you’re ready for a hike, skip the first entrance and continue another mile on Highway
281. Turn left through the gate into Duke Power’s Bad Creek property. The gate
opens automatically for vehicles, but it doesn't open after 6 p.m., so plan to be off the
property by then.
Inside the Bad Creek generating station, Duke drains water from a series of reservoirs
to turn underground turbines and generate the electricity that powers Western North
Carolina. At nights and on weekends, it pumps the water back up to drain it again.
Drive 2 miles into the property and turn left at a sign pointing the way to the Foothills
Trail. After .3 miles, turn into the Bad Creek Parking Area on the right.
From the parking area, begin the hike on the blue-blazed trail leading to Upper
Whitewater Falls. After half a mile, the trail reaches and crosses the Whitewater River.
(Note the Coon Branch Trail to the left immediately before crossing the river. It leads to
a rare patch of virgin forest.)
On the far side of the river, turn left and follow the white blazes upstream on the
Foothills Trail, a network of paths in North and South Carolina. Most of the next 1.7
miles to the falls is generally flat. Only the last half-mile or so – beginning after the
second river crossing - involves steep switchbacks. Note the thick-skinned beech trees
and the trunk of a dead chestnut as you hike. You’ve reached the end when you climb
to a viewing platform overlooking the 411-foot falls. Return the way you came.
(Alternately, for a 2.3 mile hike, leave a car here.)
Copyright 2007 by Tony Austin
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3
4.6 miles
1090 feet
3 hours
1/2 hour