Juney Whank Falls - Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Juney Whank Falls is located in the Deep Creek area of Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Bryson City, North Carolina. According to the National Park Service, the waterfall is most likely named after Mr. Junaluska "Juney" Whank, who is rumored to be buried in the area. A short, but fairly steep trail leads from the north end of the Deep Creek hiker parking area to the falls. While the trail is only about 0.3 miles long, it climbs 170 feet in less than a quarter mile before descending to the falls. The average grade is over 12% on a dirt and rock trail. The main trail passes above the falls, but a short spur leads down to the falls before climbing back up to the main trail on the other side. A sturdy bridge on the spur trail provides close-up views of the nearly vertical upper section of the falls. Below the bridge, the lower section is more a series of cascades that was partially obscured by storm debris. The total height of the falls is about 90 feet, almost even split between the sections. There were a fairly large number of people on the trail when we hiked to the falls in late March 2016, although there were times when no one else was visible on the trail. This is a beautiful gem of a waterfall that is well worth the climb to see.

Topographic map with GPS trail route

Trail elevation profile

The beginning of the trail seems easy enough

A trail-side cataract on Juney Whank Branch

The switchback at the cataract attests the true nature of the trail

Trail junction at the top of the switchback

A right turn at the junction proceeds up the hill

A steep descent leads to the falls

A bridge crosses between the upper and lower falls

Juney Whank Falls from the bridge

The falls from the end of the bridge

A closer view of the top of the falls

Lower section of the falls

A closer view of the lower section

Water drapes the rocks like gauze

Entry to Great Smoky Mountains National Park is free.

The park website is http://www.nps.gov/grsm/index.htm.