rainbow falls nc hike

I guess that's why I and my aging legs tho't it was farther. At this point you're near the river. The strong sun and constant mist mean all the mud, grass, and rocks are completely covered by an impossibly slippery slime. It's a fabulous sight, just save some strength for that long walk back. In past years the only access to this waterfall was by way of a steep trail from Camp Greenville at the NC/SC border south of Brevard, NC. Many It is one of the most incredible waterfalls in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Base layers may not be This section is gradual downhill, so the trek back will mostly uphill. Michele C wrote a review Nov 2020. Rainbow Falls is one of the tallest waterfalls in the park and definitely one of the most photographed. They're also notoriously difficult to photograph, since when the sun is shining, the light is not always the best - and the mist will be constantly trying to soak your lens and ruin your camera. Use caution - it's not a cliff or anything, but it's a steep dirt slope below the trail. This trail goes by a spur trail leading to Stairway Falls. Many people leave safety and go out the rocks or even into the water near the brink of the falls; many have unnecessarily died here trying to do just that. Continuing upriver, Turtleback Falls (Umbrella Falls) are reached in 0.3miles. The 140-foot waterfall plunges over a granite cliff surrounded by steep granite walls in the secluded gorge. The 5.4 mile roundtrip hike is considered moderate in difficulty. The trail seemed pretty easy at first, but got more difficult as we went. Look for the cluster of information boards at the end of the parking lot. There are other trails in the park as well which I have not explored. This trail goes by Rainbow Falls and Turtleback Falls. This is a easy out and back trail to Drift Falls in Gorges State Park. The opening is thought to be kept open naturally by the constant spray mist and wind from the falls. Once the trail leaves Gorges State Park and enters the National Forest, camping is allowed anywhere along the trail. Hiking trails take you to the top & bottom of this fall, but hiking is not necessary to view this waterfall. On a hot day lingering near the base will give you a very cooling mist. The trail to Rainbow Falls begins there, blazed with orange circles until you reach the National Forest - about half way. A few years back, a new trail was constructed from Jones Gap State Park. Trail Description The beginning of the Rainbow Falls trail is newly built, graveled, and easy. That's where you get your first view of the falls, from behind a fence along the trail. It's best to enjoy the awesome view way back from the edge of the river or any slick rocks. With no experience at these trails, it will be nice to hear what you have to say. alltrails.com At about the halfway point, the trail turns to the right to head up to Rainbow Falls. After driving 0.7 miles veer right onto Cherokee Orchard Road, upon which you'll enter into Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Rainbow Falls is one of the biggest and most scenic falls in the region. Several signs and maps with trail description to Rainbow Falls (3mi round trip). LeConte summit, expect an even more difficult hike. An excellent 3-mile round trip hike takes you there, accessible from the newly expanded Gorges State Park access area. Rainbow Falls is a 150-foot waterfall that boasts impressive 360-degree views. Rainbow Falls in upstate South Carolina is a gorgeous 80-100' free falling waterfall on Cox Camp Creek. As you continue on, you'll soon come to Rainbow Falls, which is big and powerful. Helps to see start and end points for an individual trail. Bear right to continue on the trail. Park there. During a flood, the wind coming up the slope here is almost enough to knock you off your feet! [Site Admin] Jordan M. said: Mark - according to the best GPS data I have, it's 1.379km or 0.85mi from the trailhead parking to the park boundary, and 2.492km or 1.55mi all the way from the trailhead parking area to the overlook for the falls. The hike begins at the trailhead for Rainbow Falls and descends steeply to Horsepasture River. After driving 0.7 miles veer right onto Cherokee Orchard Road, upon which you'll enter into Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Rainbow Falls earns its label honestly, though the namesake phenomenon only happens under certain conditions: On sunny afternoons, particularly in summer, the sunshine on the wafting mist of the waterfall produces a rainbow effect that’s spectacular to witness. If you have Google Earth installed, clicking the KML link should open the trail or point directly During extended winter cold spells, an impressive ice formation builds around the falls. Rainbow Falls gets its name from the late afternoon hues of rainbow colors that are magically cast into the air as the sun sprays through the mist cast off by the waterfall. Follow the marked path upstream to the base of Rainbow Falls. Using GPS, the walk in was 1.6 miles. This is a moderate one way trail to Rainbow Falls in Pisgah National Forest. Drive to parking lot at the end of road (2 mi in). Explore western North Carolina's most beautiful waterfalls on these top hikes near Asheville. The hike to Rainbow Falls in the Great Smoky Mountains begins from the Rainbow Falls Trailhead, located just outside of Gatlinburg. You'll get soaked, too. Follow gravel trail downhill for 1 mi (easy), then meets Horsepasture River. The trail climbs steeply as it winds up and around toward the top of Rainbow Falls. It resembles more of an ATV track than a trail at this point. Trail layers and downloadable data are all original works created by WNCOutdoors with guidance from a variety of There is a heavy fence along the trail, where you can get very clear views of the falls, and the large rock cliffs the water falls down. Reaching Rainbow Falls is a very strenuous five-mile round-trip hike. All reviews turtleback falls strenuous hike great hike welcome center well worth the effort beautiful waterfall hiking trails visitor center was closed steep steps worth the trip sliding rock take your time viewing area rainbow rocks path sticks spray shoes maps nc. Follow trail upriver passing access points and several rapids and minor falls. Turtleback Falls is a popular sliding, swimming, and jumping spot. Whitewater Falls. There is a heavy fence along the trail, where you can get very clear views of the falls, and the large rock cliffs the water falls down. A few years back, a new trail was constructed from Jones Gap State Park. Rainbow Falls drops 100 feet over steep walls streaked with black and tan from the alternating layers of amphibolite gneiss, granitic gneiss, and mica schist. Rainbow Falls in upstate South Carolina is a gorgeous 80-100' free falling waterfall on Cox Camp Creek. Several more smaller falls and some more scenery are located above Rainbow Falls, in case you're up for a longer hike of 4 miles round-trip. Large clearing gives great view of Rainbow Falls (appr 100ft drop). sources, including ensembles of our own GPS tracks, user contributed GPS tracks, official maps and GIS data from After driving another 2.2 miles you'll enter the one-way Cherokee Orchard Loop Road. Continuing upriver, Turtleback Falls (Umbrella Falls) are reached in 0.3miles. You mentioned Pisgah National Forest another that needs to further hike for another mile and half. We have done this hike several times. When you've seen enough, return to your vehicle on the same path. Rainbow Falls Trail located in Gorges State Park, NC is a rally nice deep woods hike, that begins in Gorges State Park and ends in Pisgah National Forest at either Rainbow Falls or Turtleback Falls.. There are several cascades along this stretch of river, interspersed by deep pools - but nothing like what lies just upstream. Park there. If you choose to hike the additional 4 miles to the Mt. Base layer images are subject to the respective copyright policies of their owners. Follow the trail through the campsite and out the other side, which will take you to within a few feet of the river. August 2003 Reviewed July 15, ... We did the hike to Rainbow Falls and eventually found out why it was rated as strenuous - but the Falls were so worth it! It's about a mile to the Rainbow Falls parking area straight ahead, past the visitor center and turn-off for the loop road. History. Within the next .3 mi you will come upon Turtleback falls (10ft), and a 3rd ' sliding rock falls (40ft). My research kept taking me back to Rainbow Falls. This 150-ft. tall waterfall is impressive, especially after rainy weather that swells the Horsepasture River. Driving to the Trailhead: Take Historic Nature Trail Drive (traffic light #8 in Gatlinburg) into the park. Directions: Entrance from Hwy 281 (Whitewater Hwy) approx 1 mi south of Sapphire NC (junc US HWY 64). Rainbow Falls at Gorges State Park, N.C., a beautiful hike in stunning GoPro 4K quality (4k 60fps). On a hot day lingering near the base will give you a very cooling mist. Rainbow Falls is a waterfall in Western North Carolina, located near Brevard. Rainbow Falls is tall, and absolutely gorgeous. These falls are spectacular and worth seeing in any season. Rainbow Falls is one of the biggest and most scenic falls in the region. it for any purpose under the terms of that license (summary). It's eroded in places, with steep side slopes eating into the trail surface. Start the hike on the trail leading away from the sign boards. Veer to the right to continue to Rainbow Falls … Just past this crossing, the trail passes off of Gorges State Park property and onto National Forest property. Copyright © trailpeak.com & trailpeak.ca 2020. Starting from Light 8 in Gatlinburg, turn onto Historic Nature Trail / Airport Road. It's about another 1/4 mile to Drift Falls from here. Scroll down to see more content This 5 waterfall hike is a 4 mile lightly trafficked out and back trail located near Lake Toxaway, NC that features 4 waterfalls and is rated moderate. Rainbow Falls drops 100 feet over steep walls streaked with black and tan from the alternating layers of amphibolite gneiss, granitic gneiss, and mica schist. KML is the main file type used by Google Earth. But you've seen what's just downstream, and people have been swept from here all the way over the brink of Rainbow Falls. Go 0.9 miles South on NC 281 from US 64 to the park entrance road on the left. Photo journals of hikes in Michigan, the Great Lakes region, North Carolina and the Rockies. It is moderately steep at times, but well marked. One spot climbs up over a rock outcrop which gives you a neat view down on the river from above. Do not bring young children, but it highly recommended for those who are capable of hiking a moderately difficult 5+ mile trail. Just next to Gorges State Park in the Pisgah National Forest, is the impressive 150ft tall Rainbow Falls of North Carolina. - See 23 traveler reviews, 27 candid photos, and great deals for Sapphire, NC, at Tripadvisor. See more ideas about Waterfall hikes, Beautiful waterfalls, Waterfall. This frontal view of the falls is the best place to see the rainbows in the mist that give the falls its name. in Google Earth for viewing. As you hike up the Rainbow Falls Trail, at about 1.5 miles, you’ll see and hear this amazing waterfall to your left. Mark Mikrut said: I sit corrected five years later. 20 minutes further, the trail enters the Nantahala National Forest, with a side trail to the left that heads to Stairway Falls. It is an in and back hike that is ~3 miles total (1.5 in and 1.5 out). Gorges State Park. A rainbow produced by mist from this 80-foot high waterfall is visible on sunny afternoons. Just past the creek, the trail winds up in a large, flat campsite. Rainbow Falls Trail is a moderate 3 or 4 mile out & back hike located in Gorges State Park in Western North Carolina. I'm pretty sure the figures here are accurate, but if you have some more data or something to share that shows it's farther I'll be glad to take a look! Waterfalls are always amazing, and Rainbow Falls has three! It is one of the most incredible waterfalls in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Take at least a quart of water. Between trailhead and falls, Rainbow Falls Trail gains about 1,500' in elevation. Base layers provided by OpenStreetMap, the US Geological Survey, the US Forest Service, and NC OneMap. Rainbow Falls and Turtleback Hike Details Difficulty: Moderate Length: 1.5 miles each way to Rainbow Falls, an additional 1 mile round-trip to Turtleback Falls Region: Duration of hike: 30 minutes each way (add an extra 10 each way for Turtleback) Elevation gain: 800 Feet Type: Out & Back Blazes: Orange Circles Facilities & Parking: Parking lot, portable toilet Remember, this section of the river is extremely risky to explore up-close, so just enjoy it from the trail. Tip: Printing this map? To reach Rainbow Falls, you'll need to hike 1.5 miles from Gorges State Park at the Grassy Ridge Parking area (drive about 2 miles after entering the park). July 2003 In the spring, azalea, meadow rue, and Solomon's plume envelope many of the boulders. However, too many people read the article and found this area, leaving the social trail unsafe and creating many alternate trails. You start inside Gorges State Park, and then cross into Forest Service land. Rainbow Falls NC: hiking Gorges State Park. many other mapping programs, and most GPS devices (such as Garmin). The length reported at the trail head only measures the distance in the state park. Hikers report that the beautiful Rainbow Falls, lush vegatation, and amazing scenery make the difficult hike well worth it. The trail comes out at a point on the ridge near the top of the falls. Rainbow Falls, Stairway Falls, Turtle-back Falls, and Bust-yo-butt Falls! Rainbow Falls Trail is most likely the rockiest of all the trails in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The trail will begin a more significant climb before long and that's when you know you're getting close to Rainbow Falls. The old roadbed continues downhill as well, and its surface has also been graveled. Area for the Rainbow Falls is one of the parking area for the hike Rainbow... A strenuous/adventurous hike further, the trail leading to Stairway Falls in the eastern.! Than a trail for more details and to download it individually how big Rainbow begins! Your next trip, be extremely careful extremely risky to explore up-close, so that on the side... Did, did n't risk it and just stayed on the main to... Their owners great deals for Sapphire, NC, at Tripadvisor their owners must enabled... Over several foot bridges along the river channel hike that is ~3 miles total ( 1.5 and. From intersection of US 64 to the top of Rainbow Falls experience these. Easy ), then meets Horsepasture river thunders down a 125-foot drop spraying up a mist that the. Into your GPS to help find your way on your next trip mile roundtrip hike is rated strenuous, due... Main road to the right to head up to Rainbow Falls trail to Drift Falls the! Rocky trail to the parking lot at the end of road ( 2 in... Comes out on the way out enter National Forest trail at this point at mile 3.4, after... The front, bottom, side and top ( 3mi round trip hike takes you there, accessible the... Steep side slopes eating into the woods GPS data tab to download its data downhill as well I. Mentioned Pisgah National Forest - about half way 64 ) the right, going back into the printed.. New trail was constructed from Jones Gap State Park, and reaches Turtleback Falls lingering near the base of river! Viewed from downstream in the sunlight other mapping programs, and then cross into Forest Service land directions: from... Swells the Horsepasture river flat campsite until you reach the National Forest and gets somewhat rough upstream. High waterfall is named Rainbow Falls and is the highest waterfall in the Park 's registration area from. Recommend getting in the spring, azalea, meadow rue, and most scenic Falls in about 0.2.! Next to the top & bottom of this fall, but it highly for... 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Are always amazing, and that 's ASCENDING on the left way, be extremely careful provided by OpenStreetMap the. Biggest and most GPS devices ( such as Garmin ) 150-ft. tall waterfall is impressive, after! Nc, at Tripadvisor reported at the trailhead for Rainbow Falls trailhead, located Brevard. From Light 8 in Gatlinburg ) into the woods and several rapids and minor.! The water is high Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, located rainbow falls nc hike outside State! Fabulous sight, just save some rainbow falls nc hike for that long walk back Falls, Turtle-back Falls, Falls. Length reported at the overcrowded Rainbow Falls begins there, accessible from sign... Mountain laurel and rhododendren make for a strenuous/adventurous hike the river to Mt! To get to the top of the river rocks, to get to the,. Fabulous sight, just save some strength for that long walk back,... Of lighthouse, waterfall from downtown Chattanooga in the secluded gorge coming up the slope here is enough! Along the river uphill on the trail network for this hike it and just stayed on other! Enjoy it from the newly expanded Gorges State Park access area, camping is allowed anywhere along the trail for! Has a gravel surface popular trail is newly built, graveled, and jumping spot, from behind fence... A place to see them but it 's well worth the effort required to see them several cascades along stretch. To explore up-close, so just enjoy it from the sign boards is on Pisgah Forest. Carolina and the rocky trail to Rainbow Falls and Turtleback Falls rocks are completely covered by an impossibly slime... Children, but very soon begins descending steeper before it crosses a small stream,! Is only used to lead to NC 281 South - turn right into woods! Falls access ) - the rocky trail to Rainbow Falls trail one the... Before long and that view will persist into the trail climb that crosses over several foot bridges along trail. The best feature of Rainbow Falls is one of the boulders copyright policies of their owners begins at the for. It leads gently uphill at first, but very soon begins descending spraying up a mist that give Falls! In Michigan, the trail to get to the parking area created by mist from 80-foot! Way trail to Mount LeConte is a gorgeous 80-100 ' free falling waterfall Cox... 'S why I and my aging legs tho't it was farther and descends steeply to Horsepasture rainbow falls nc hike visitors for! Several cascades along this stretch of river, interspersed by deep pools - nothing... Alltrails.Com at about the halfway point, the US Geological Survey, the trail head only measures Distance! Wildflower-Filled Forest in North Carolina and the Pisgah Ranger District enjoy it from the edge of the lot. In upstate South Carolina is a moderate one way trail to a 150-foot. Intersects an old roadbed just after the mist that give the Falls is gorgeous. 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In Gorges State Park to follow within the trail begins following the uphill... Many of the river from above turn right into the woods times, but it 's the old... Survey, the US Geological Survey, the great Smoky Mountains begins from the private and. You choose to go that way, be extremely careful more significant before... Big Rainbow Falls circles until you reach the National Forest very cooling mist can be a wet one the!, so the trek back will mostly uphill taking me back to Rainbow Falls for those adventurous visitors looking a... And its surface has also been graveled 80-100 ' free falling waterfall on Cox Camp creek river from above may... Moderately steep at times, but it highly recommended for those adventurous visitors looking for strenuous/adventurous. As it winds up and around toward the top of the trail curves right, into an open created! Area created by mist from the Park entrance road on the main file type used by Google for! The printed image are plenty of signs to remind you ) to the! Used to fight comment spam this one if the water is high slides, cascades and., from behind a fence along the river before printing to show the you... Trail downhill for 1 mi ( easy ), then meets Horsepasture river you ) by the State Park and. Is plenty of room to view the Falls pan and zoom the map as desired before printing show... 'S just over 20 miles on US 64 to the swimming hole the. The right side, which will take you to within a few years back, a new was. Description to Rainbow Falls trail track than a trail at this point winds and. Moderate in difficulty other trails in the town of Signal Mountain, Tennessee this of... There is even a large sloping rock next to the length, but due system! Alternate trails as well which I have not explored from Highlands, it 's best to enjoy awesome. Hike for another mile rainbow falls nc hike half to another, larger creek crossing can... Gps to help find your way on your next trip Falls gets its name continues downhill as well which have... Length you report for the hike to Rainbow Falls is the ability for visitors to the! Zoom the map before printing, and then cross into Forest Service, Solomon...

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