Triple Falls - DuPont State Recreational Forest

Our second hike of the day was to Triple Falls on the Little River in DuPont State Forest near Brevard during our April 2018 trip to western North Carolina.

To reach the designated parking area from the intersection of US 64, US 276, and NC 280 east of Brevard, drive east on US 64 for 3.7 miles. Turn right onto Crab Creek Road and drive 4.3 miles before turning right onto Dupont Road. Drive 3.1 miles on Dupont Road to the trailhead parking area on the right. Along the way, Dupont Road becomes Staton Road. Both parking areas are gravel surfaced and seem to drain well.

The upper, closer-to-the-trailhead parking area was closed on this visit for construction of a restroom building. This will be a huge improvement over the portable toilets. Depending on where you have to park in the lower lot, you may have to walk up to one-tenth of a mile to reach the trailhead kiosk. Two trails begin at the trailhead. The trail to Triple Falls and High Falls crosses Little River on a large pedestrian bridge before heading upstream and crossing under Staton Road. From the kiosk to the Triple Falls Overlook, the gravel trail is about 1/3 mile or 500 meters and climbs 120 feet or 35 meters.

If you would like a closer view of the waterfalls, continue up the trail an additional 165 feet or 50 meters to a wooden staircase on the left. Descending the 212 treads will lead to a large flat rock between the middle and lower tiers of the falls. There are several benches located at landings on the stairs for those who need to rest on the ascent back to the trail.

I posted about my previous visit here.

Footbridge over Little River

Little River downstream of the bridge

The trail turns left and heads upstream after crossing the river

Typical trail condition

The main trail turns right and climbs, but the trail ahead leads to riverside views below the falls

Cascade downstream of the falls

The Little River flows over a submerged rock ledge downstream of the falls

Triple Falls from the trail viewpoint

Upper two tiers

Lower tier

Another look from the viewpoint

Top of the 212 stairs leading down to the base of the middle tier

Brink of the lower tier

Lower tier and a view downstream

Middle tier

Upper tier

Entry to DuPont State Recreational Forest is free.

The friends of the forest website is http://www.dupontforest.com/.
The forest website is https://www.dupontstaterecreationalforest.com/.