High Falls - DuPont State Recreational Forest

High Falls on the Little River in DuPont State Forest is a 120 foot high sliding cascade. Trails lead to both the base and a trail side observation point. Due to limited time I chose not to view the falls from the base, but to view the falls from along the High Falls Trail. To reach either viewpoint from the Hooker Falls parking lot on Staton Road, hike the Triple Falls Trail to its junction with the High Falls Trail. I described much of this route on the Triple Falls post, so I won't repeat the information. From the Triple Falls viewing stairs, continue uphill about 350 feet on the Triple Falls Trail. At the intersection of the High Falls and Triple Falls trails, turn left and continue hiking upstream on the High Falls Trail. The High Falls Trail is a gravel road. The first 0.2 miles on the High Falls Trail is a flat stroll along the river. At 0.2 miles, a signed intersection denotes straight ahead is a dead end at the base of High Falls. The main trail turns right and quickly ascends 75 feet in another 0.2 miles for a modest 7% grade. Cleared vegetation and a rail fence along the river side of the trail provide a safe view of the falls. The total direct round trip distance from the Hooker Falls parking lot to the High Falls overlook and back is 1.9 miles. Adding stops at the base of High Falls, the middle of Triple Falls, and the base of Triple Falls will extend the trip another mile. There is an alternate route from the visitor center to High Falls that is only 1.2 miles round trip. I visited the forest in July 2017.

Topographic map with GPS route

Elevation profile

Trail intersection

Typical trail conditions

Trail turns away from the river

Trail along river to the base of the falls

Beginning the climb on High Falls Trail

Still climbing

First view of the falls

High Falls

A different view from a bit further up the trail

Closeup of the base of the falls

Picnic shelter above the trail

View from the picnic shelter

Entry to DuPont State Recreational Forest is free.

The friends of the forest website is http://www.dupontforest.com/.
The forest website is http://www.ncforestservice.gov/Contacts/dsf.htm.