 |
Hiking the Cashiers Area |
 |
|
Want to see the highest falls east of the Rocky Mountains? Start at the Mountain Club, drive 15 minutes to the Whitewater Falls parking area off NC 281, and follow the short, wheelchair-accessible trail through a hardwood forest to the falls overlook. There, you will marvel at the spectacle of Whitewater River plunging 411 feet over rock pillars. The misty, shaded environment bordering the falls is home to an array of moisture-loving plants and animals. Whitewater Falls delivers an awe-inspiring experience, but it represents only part of the river's thrill. A half mile spur route drops 600 feet to the Foothills Trail, descends to South Carolina, and leads to another magnificent cascade, the 400-foot Lower Whitewater Falls, which thunders into Lake Jocassee. More serious hikers might want to explore Gorges State Park, located just nine miles from the Mountain Club. Straddling North and South Carolina, the park encompasses some 20 miles of waterways and 24 miles of trails, including one for mountain bike and equestrian use. But all the trails in Gorges State Park, laid end to end, are a short stroll compared to what you will find near the town of Franklin, just 45 minutes from the Club. Here, the Winding Stair Gap trailhead serves as a convenient starting point for the greatest hiking route east of the Rocky Mountains: the 2,175-mileAppalachian National Scenic Trail. Click here to talk to a sales representive and discover all the adventure that awaits at Mountain Club. |
Request a Free Brochure |
