Silver Run Falls - Nantahala National Forest

The mountains of western North Carolina host a number of waterfalls in relatively close proximity. One of those is the 25-foot high Silver Run Falls in Nantahala National Forest. The nearest community to the falls is Cashiers. The parking area for the falls is located on the east side of NC-107, 4.1 miles south of its intersection with US-64 in Cashiers. The gravel road side pullout has space for about a half-dozen vehicles or more depending on the creativity of the drivers. The easy 650 foot trail starts at the south end of the parking area near the forest service sign.

There is another waterfall upstream of Silver Run Falls, but the "trail" to reach it begins with a scramble up a root covered rock face that we weren't prepared to climb. We'll save that adventure for another visit.

Parking area

Trail head

Typical trail conditions

Footbridge over Whitewater River

Whitewater River from the bridge

Looking back at the bridge

A few timber stair treads reduce erosion

A few steps to the right of the trail reveals this obstructed view of the waterfall

Another view of the falls and pool from a rock outctrop

The trail continues on toward the base of the falls

Timber and stone stairs lead down to the plunge pool

Silver Run Falls

Plunge pool and swimming hole

Side view

Another perspective

"Trail" to Upper Silver Run Falls

Entrance to Nantahala National Forest is free. The few areas that require a fee are well marked and usually worth it.

The Nantahala National Forest website is https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/nfsnc/recarea/?recid=48634.

The Silver Run Falls webpage is https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/nfsnc/specialplaces/?cid=stelprdb5188438.

Laurel Falls Trail - Great Smoky Mountains National Park

We took time in early April 2018 to return to Laurel Falls on the Tennessee side of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. While spring rains had created a nice flow, it was not anywhere near the flow of my previous visit in December 2015. During that visit, Laurel Creek had so much water that the trail was impassable at the falls.

The 1.3 mile trail to the falls begins on the north side of Fighting Creek Road at Fighting Creek Gap. This is the high point on the route between Townsend and the Sugarlands Visitor Center. It is also just 1.1 miles northeast of Elkmont Road.

Although paved, the trail shows many signs of overuse and deferred maintenance. Unfortunately, it seems that there is no money to repair the trail. As this is one of the most popular trails in the park, it took some time to record images without many people. Don't expect to get these views of the falls without numerous people crossing in front of your view. Some people are totally oblivious to photo bombing your shot and some just came for the selfie, but there are still others that don't live in or near the mountains and are in awe of the waterfall. Hopefully, they all leave the park with less stress than when they arrived.

Overuse has widened the trail

Markers correspond to descriptions in the trail guide

Crumbling pavement

A social trail network along a ridge

Climbing off trail creates erosion

Blanket Mountain (4609' 3.4 miles)

An old rock slide

A trail side seep

Upper portion of Laurel Falls

Looking back at the footbridge over Laurel Creek between the upper and lower sections of the falls

View below from a trail side bench

Lower part of Laurel Falls with my wife sitting on the trail side bench

Top of the lower section

View of the lower falls from the trail

One more view from the bridge

Trail counter

Entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park is free.

The park website is https://www.nps.gov/grsm.

Painted Desert from Petrified Forest Park Road - Petrified Forest National Park

We continued our brief March 2018 visit to Petrified Forest National Park by completing the scenic drive along Petrified Forest Road. Once north of Interstate 40, the vistas are of the Painted Desert. The park has been enlarged numerous times to include most of the land that is visible from the overlooks along the road. The wayside exhibit for Lacey Point includes this quote from John Fletcher Lacey, a Congressman from Iowa:

There are other petrified forests, but this is The Petrified Forest of the World

Lacey Point

Wayside exhibit

View west toward Flat Top Butte, Rotten Bananas Butte, and Long Butte

Pintado Point

Pilot Rock

Pintado Point

Sidewalk to the point

Pilot Rock

Lithodendron Wash

Rain in the distance

View north of Lithodendron Wash and Black Forest

View northwest

Kachina Point

Painted Desert Inn

Painted Desert

Between Tawa Point and Tiponi Point

Parallel parking at the pullout

Red clay badlands

More badlands in the Painted Desert

Painted Desert

A closer look

A tributary of Lithodendron Wash

Tiponi Point

Wayside exhibits and viewing platform

Eroded red clay hills

Painted Desert

A closer view

Entrance to Petrified Forest National Park requires an entry fee of $20 per passenger vehicle for a 7-day pass. Any of the America the Beautiful passes may be used instead.

The park website is https://www.nps.gov/pefo.