Glen Falls - 2nd waterfall
Glen Falls - 2nd waterfall 

6-13-19  Glen Falls is a spectacular set of waterfalls and is a must see if you are in the Highlands area. There are actually 3 separate waterfalls to see here, but nothing on the information kiosk at the parking area tells you that. East Fork Overflow Creek falls 600' in elevation in this area, but some of the falling water is covered in shrubbery and too dangerous to get a good look at. The hike to see the 3 waterfalls is about a mile (one way) and as I just mentioned, you'll drop about 600' in elevation. There have been a lot of improvements to the trail in the past few years and the hike really isn't that bad if you are in decent shape. The first 2 waterfalls are really nice - the 3rd one not so much, but it offers an area to safely splash around in the water. Glen Falls is family friendly as long as you stay on the trail and don't cross the fencing. There aren't any signs telling you to stay behind the fence, but please use common sense while you are here. I first visited Glen Falls in 2001 and made 4 more return trips from then until 2006. It was after that when the trail improvements were made and the safety fencing was added, so I just recently revisited so I could update the info here.

Directions: From downtown Highlands, head west on US64 and turn left on NC106 just as you are leaving the downtown area. Drive 1.7 miles on 106 and look for the sign to Glen Falls Scenic area on the left. Turn left then immediately bear right on to Glen Falls Rd (SR1618). Take this gravel road for 1 mile to the parking area at the end. The trail begins to the right of the kiosk.

There are 2 trail heads here. The Chinquapin Mountain Trail heads right, but you'll head to the left on the Glen Falls Trail. About 400' from the start of the trail, there used to be a view of the Blue Valley, but it's now overgrown. At about 0.2 miles into the hike you'll come to a fenced area with a view of the creek as it cascades out of view into the shrubs.

East Fork Overflow Creek above Glen Falls
East Fork Overflow Creek above Glen Falls 

Continue down the trail and at 0.3 miles into the hike, come to a side trail with steps down to the top of the 1st waterfall. Here you have a stunning view looking down the waterfall with the mountains in the background. This makes for an excellent fall color shot if your timing is good and the light is in your favor. Bring a wide angle lens if you want to get the whole scene in the frame. The 1st picture below is from 2006 when I didn't have one. The second shot is from 2019 with a wide angle.

Glen Falls - top of 1st waterfall
Glen Falls - top of 1st waterfall 

 

From here the trail heads away from the creek, then switchbacks towards the base of the 1st waterfall at 0.5 miles into the hike. There's a fenced overlook here and it's hard getting the entire drop in the frame for a decent shot. This is one of the areas where a safety fence was added since my 2006 visit. Note the beautifully colored rock here and at the next section.

Glen Falls - 1st section
Glen Falls - 1st waterfall 

The trail once again heads away from the creek after the 1st waterfall and continues to switchback towards the 2nd waterfall. At 0.7 miles into the hike you come to the base of what I think is the most scenic section of Glen Falls. There's now a safety fence here also and not a lot of room for very many people to enjoy the view at one time. Go early if you hope to get decent shots without people in them. The fencing was probably needed as more than one person has died here in the past. If water levels aren't too high, you could safely (more or less) get out on the rocks and over to the other side. If you get too far away from the base and slip however, the creek will sweep you into the abyss and you will die. You'll see what I mean when you go. Again, use common sense and you'll live to see another waterfall. The first shot below is from my most recent visit and the second is from 2005.

Glen Falls - 2nd section

Glen Falls - 2nd section
Glen Falls - 2nd waterfall 

From here it's about another 1/4 mile down to the 3rd waterfall. It's only about 15' high and has some downfall on it that's been there since my first visit back in 2001. There's no fencing needed here and you can safely wade in the water at the base of the falls. I'd wear footwear of some type as there's no telling if there's broken glass around.

Glen Falls - 3rd waterfall
Glen Falls - 3rd waterfall 

If you were paying attention, you probably noticed that a trail continues past the 3rd waterfall. It continues down to a section of the forest called the Blue Valley - I think. I hiked part of the way one time to look for more waterfalls. There's more falling water, but no safe place to get a good view. Another time I was in Blue Valley on FR79C. The road ended and there was a carsonite sign with Glen Falls on it, so I assumed one could take it up to the waterfalls. My guess would be that this section of trail receives very little attention - if any.

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