Jones Gap Falls

10-26-06 - I hope you haven't tried to get to this waterfall from my site lately - or any other one. I hadn't been since 2002 and when I went back in October 2006, the trail was closed a mile from the trail head at Jones Gap State Park due to a landslide after the bridge. There was a sign at the info board indicating the trail was closed at the bridge, but no indication that there is now no official open trail to the waterfall. There was no one in the office to ask how long this part of the trail has been closed or when it will reopen. Read on to see how to get to Jones Gap State Park and what to do if you really want to see this waterfall.

Directions from Brevard: Take Hwy 276 south into South Carolina passing Caesar's Head State Park. The other end of the 5 mile Jones Gap Trail starts near here so you could stop in there and ask if they have any info. Keep heading south on 276 to Hwy 11 and turn left. Drive maybe 4-5 miles (I forgot to get a mileage) and turn left at the F-Mart on to River Falls Road. From there it's 4 miles to the park entrance. Parking is just a couple of hundred yards up on the right. Like a lot of South Carolina sites, there is now a $2 per adult charge to access the park. The 1 mile trail begins near the entrance to the lot at the info board you'll pass before the pay station. It crosses the river, passes in front of the park offices, then recrosses the river at a bulletin board. Sign in at the info board there and look for info on the trail closure. The trail is fairly easy, but uphill and rocky in places. It passes several walk-in camp sites and after a mile, comes to a foot bridge crossing the Middle Saluda River. Here's the problem - at my last visit, a board was nailed across the bridge with a sign saying 'Trail Ends Here' - the Jones Gap Trail that is. Another trail continues, but doesn't go to the waterfall. If you visit after the trail reopens, continue across the bridge following the trail to the left and over/through the landslide area. Continue past Camp Site #10, then #11 and look for the trail to the right up to the waterfall. The bridge itself doesn't appear to be damaged, but what I did was to continue up river on the left side, find a safe place to cross past the landslide area, then pick up the trail up to Camp Site 11. Remember, the trail is officially closed.

The waterfall is about 50' high and is best seen after a recent rainfall. On my 1st visit, there was an intrusive viewing platform, but that has since been dismantled.