New Years Day 2004 - what better way is there to celebrate the 1st day of the new year than a hike to a new waterfall, or 2?? KT and Cathy were up for the Holidays, so we headed up to Waterfall Central (Harry's house) for a couple of days of hiking. We decided to check out some waterfalls in the Southern Nantahala Wilderness area and ended up at Bull Cove Falls and High Falls. We used Kevin Adams' book for directions and decided to come the way he suggested. From Lake Toxaway, take 64 west through Highlands and towards Franklin. Near Franklin, get on 441 south and drive 20 miles to Clayton, GA. Turn right on Hwy 76 west, drive 8 miles and turn right on Persimmon Rd. Just over 4 miles up this road, take a left on Tallulah River Road - also marked FR70. This narrow road starts out paved, but turns to gravel and generally follows the Tallulah River. It's a very scenic drive, but it's an additional 7.5 miles to the Beech Creek Trail parking area on the left. This road crosses back into NC closer to the parking area. It took us over 2 hours drive time from Lake Toxaway to get to the parking area.

The blue blazed trail begins across the road to the right coming out of the parking area. It heads steeply straight up hill, then begins to switchback as it continues up the hill. From the crest, the trail then decends and crosses Beech Creek. There's a log to cross on - you may have to get your feet wet otherwise. The trail continues on and connects with an old road - bear left here. In another 1/2 mile (about 1 mile total from the parking area) cross Bull Cove Creek and take the trail to the right that heads up creek to the falls. Bull Cove Falls is about 40' high in 2 levels. It's a nice falls and well worth seeing. If you're heading up to High Falls, rest up here - you'll need it.

If you are heading up to High Falls, come back out to the main trail and turn right. The hike up to the falls is a steady uphill trek - another 1.5 miles. You'll soon cross Beech Creek again and be on the left side. Since it was winter, we had a great view of the creek which was mostly below us. The creek is almost one continuous cascade. Closer to the falls, the trail begins to switchback up the mountain. At the 1st turn to the left, a small trail continues straight, take the main trail to the left. At the next turn to the left, a side trail marked with a 'High Falls' sign nailed to a tree leads down hill to the creek and the base of the falls. High Falls is a beautiful 150' falls cascading over a rock face. I'm looking forward to going back in greener weather - it looks rather bare with no leaves on the trees.

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