Hooker Falls
From the parking area, take a short walk to the right to Hooker Falls. There is a observation area above the falls, and you can continue on the trail to reach the base of the falls. This is a popular spot for wading and swimming in Casade Lake at the foot of the 11-foot waterfall. From Hooker Falls, turn around and go past the parking area (and across the road bridge to the other side of the river) and follow the trail upstream to the more impressive Triple Falls and High Falls.
Triple Falls
About 1/2 mile from the parking area, you will arrive at an overlook for Triple Falls with three cascades with a total 120-foot drop. Just past the overlook, a trail forks off to the left and heads down to land on a large rock area below the top two falls and atop the third. It's a great place to relax or have a picnic, while you enjoy the views up and down the waterfall.
High Falls
From Triple Falls, continue on the High Falls Trail to the largest waterfall,
a 150-foot cascade down an inclined plane of granite.
After a few turns and a short, steep hill, you will see a wonderful view of High Falls on the left. Once again, take a trail to the left to land at the foot of the falls. Be careful, there are some slick rocks near the base.
There are plenty of boulders to climb across to get a very close-up view of the cascading water. At the base of High Falls, there is a fallen tree by a big boulder, perfect seating for two.
Covered Bridge
To cross the beautiful covered bridge at the top of High Falls, continue on the trail to the Covered Bridge Trail. The bridge was built in 2000 for a planned, exclusive real estate development. Thankfully, the state bought the land (after a long legal battle) from the developer so it could be preserved. Read the full history of saving Dupont Forest.
Mountain Biking
DuPont State Forest is fast becoming one of the leading mountain bike destinations in Western North Carolina with over 80 miles of trail, nearly all of which is open to both equestrians and mountain bikers. DuPont offers everything from gentle forest roads to exciting single track, with an impressive variety of scenic attractions located only minutes apart. Download their Mountain Bike Guide. Also see our Mountain Biking Guide.
Directions from Asheville (via Brevard): I-26 East to exit 40 for Highway 280/Airport exit toward Brevard. Turn left on U.S. 64 as you enter Brevard past Wal-Mart. Travel east on U.S. 64 for 3.7 miles to the Texaco station in Penrose. Turn right on Crab Creek Rd and continue 4.3 miles and turn right on DuPont Rd. Ascend and descend; after 3.1 miles, find the Hooker Falls parking lot on the right just before the Little River bridge. Open during daylight hours.
Directions from Hendersonville: Take Business US-25 (Church St.) south to Kanuga and turn right. Kanuga becomes Crab Creek Rd. after 3.9 miles at Little River Rd. (flashing traffic light). Continue on Crab Creek 7.1 miles to DuPont Rd. Turn left for 3.1 miles.
Read about DuPont's future expansion.
Download Map of above waterfall hike.
Download Hiking Map for DuPont Forest.
DuPont Annual Report 2008
|
