Moore Cove Falls 9-16-06
Moore
Cove Falls 9-16-06
Moore Cove Falls might be second in popularity to Looking Glass Falls. The hike is less than 3/4 of a mile and is fairly easy for the most part - kid friendly. The waterfall is a free fall of about 50' and you can safely walk behind the waterfall. There are actually 2 waterfalls here if you are willing to explore a short distance.
Directions: From the intersection of Hwys 64, 280 and 276 north near Brevard, drive north on Hwy 276 north for about 6.5 miles and pull off in the paved area on the right side of the road. You'll see a wooden info center - if you cross the bridge you've gone too far. If you are coming from the Blue Ridge Parkway, get off on the Hwy 276 exit and drive south for 8.2 miles, cross the bridge and pull off on the left. You will have passed Sliding Rock on the way down the mountain. The trail begins on the bridge side of the info board. Cross the wooden foot bridge across Looking Glass Creek and head uphill for a short distance. That's the steepest part of the trail. At the top, head to the right and follow the yellow blazes on the trees.
Moore Creek is a low volume creek and the picture above is fairly typical. If you go immediately after some heavy rain you might catch it spewing out a bit more like in the next shot. While at the waterfall you will probably notice trails going up either side of the waterfall. Go up a short distance for better side views of the falls, but do not go up to the top of the waterfall! There is nothing to see up here. A young man fell to his death from up here in early 2008 and my guess is that others have also died in years past.
The other waterfall I mentioned is really close to Moore Cove Falls and isn't shown on the trail map or mentioned at the Visitor's Center. Just as you leave Moore Cove Falls, look down the bank on the right and head to the closed camp site. Go through the campsite and cross the creek. There's a lesser trail that leads up the left side of this creek a very short ways to the waterfall. You'll have to cross the creek again just before the waterfall. This area can be mucky and slippery and you might have to get your feet wet. This waterfall doesn't have a name, but I've been calling it Little Moore Cove Falls. It's kind of a miniature version of Moore Cove Falls and you can walk behind this one also.
