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NORTH CAROLINA WATERFALLS
SOUTH HARPER CREEK FALLS (4)
PHOTO BY CHRISTIE W.
Driving Directions: N.C. 181 crosses the Blue Ridge Parkway at milepost 312. From N.C. 181 exit to the Blue Ridge Parkway and turn left onto the parkway. At milepost 311.3 turn right onto the gravel Jonas Ridge Road (S.R. 1518). Follow the road, which begins as gravel, is paved for a short distance passing a Christmas tree farm, and returning to gravel again, for 1.7 miles to a T junction with a church on the left. Turn left onto F.R. 464 (Edgemont Road). After 2.5 miles, turn right onto F.R. 58 (Kawana Road) and continue 3.9 miles to the trailhead and an old gated gravel road on the right. Park on the right without blocking the road.
Hiking Directions: Harper Creek Trail (#260) begins on the left side of F.R. 58. Continue 1.37 miles on the Harper Creek Trail to a T junction. To the right, a path leads to a small waterfall on Harper Creek. To view the waterfall from the cliff viewpoint, cross the creek downstream from the falls and pick up the path on the other side. Shortly, you will cross a small drainage and begin ascending. The trail follows a series of switchbacks to a side path on the left. Don’t take this, stay right and continue to a T junction. Turn right and follow the trail to another T junction. Turn left, climbing down the gully to an open area and a view of the falls to the left. To view the waterfall from the base, turn left at the T junction on Harper Creek Trail. After 50 yards, you will reach another T junction. The right leads to the top of the waterfall. Go left, continuing to a steep scramble path on the right that leads to the base of the falls.
Driving Directions: N.C. 181 crosses the Blue Ridge Parkway at milepost 312. From N.C. 181 exit to the Blue Ridge Parkway and turn left onto the parkway. At milepost 311.3 turn right onto the gravel Jonas Ridge Road (S.R. 1518). Follow the road, which begins as gravel, is paved for a short distance passing a Christmas tree farm, and returning to gravel again, for 1.7 miles to a T junction with a church on the left. Turn left onto F.R. 464 (Edgemont Road). After 2.5 miles, turn right onto F.R. 58 (Kawana Road) and continue 3.9 miles to the trailhead and an old gated gravel road on the right. Park on the right without blocking the road.
Hiking Directions: Harper Creek Trail (#260) begins on the left side of F.R. 58. Continue 1.37 miles on the Harper Creek Trail to a T junction. To the right, a path leads to a small waterfall on Harper Creek. To view the waterfall from the cliff viewpoint, cross the creek downstream from the falls and pick up the path on the other side. Shortly, you will cross a small drainage and begin ascending. The trail follows a series of switchbacks to a side path on the left. Don’t take this, stay right and continue to a T junction. Turn right and follow the trail to another T junction. Turn left, climbing down the gully to an open area and a view of the falls to the left. To view the waterfall from the base, turn left at the T junction on Harper Creek Trail. After 50 yards, you will reach another T junction. The right leads to the top of the waterfall. Go left, continuing to a steep scramble path on the right that leads to the base of the falls.
