Mingo Falls - Qualla Boundary

I revisited Mingo Falls in the Qualla Boundary in late December 2016, nearly three years after our previous visit to the falls posted here. To reach the falls from the intersection of US 441 and US 19 in Cherokee, NC drive north on US 441 (Tsali Blvd) for 2.2 miles, then turn right onto Acquoni Road. Cross the Oconaluftee River and turn left at the first intersection onto Big Cove Road. Drive 5.2 miles on Big Cove Road to an unnamed road on the right that crosses Raven Fork. A brown and white sign labelled "MINGO FALLS" with an arrow to the right was located just past the intersection when I was there. Cross Raven Fork and Sherrill Cove Road and park in the parking area straight ahead. 

A sign at the beginning of the trail notes the distance as 0.4 miles. This is the round-trip distance as the trail is only about 1000 feet long. Though short, the trail is rated as moderate in difficulty due to climbing about 100 feet in elevation or an average grade of 10%. The 159 stair steps at the beginning of the route account for most of the elevation change. The end of the trail is a bridge that spans Mingo Creek below the falls.

Trailhead

The seemingly never-ending staircase

Where was this nice bench while climbing the stairs?

The trail follows Mingo Creek to a view of the falls

Mingo Creek near the end of the trail

Mingo Falls

Another view of the falls

No fee is charged to enter the Qualla Boundary, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, or to visit Mingo Falls.

The National Park Service description of the falls is at https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/mingo-falls.htm.
Qualla Boundary is described at http://visitcherokeenc.com/eastern-band-of-the-cherokee/.
The Cherokee tourism website is http://visitcherokeenc.com/.