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Northeast Georgia HikingNew & Old Friends Who Like to Hike

July 21, 2015

Dry Falls and Cliffside Lake Trails - NC

Trail information

We traveled to Highlands, NC today and first stopped by and did the short but breathtaking hike to Dry Falls. Always a favorite stop to view one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the U.S. The trail is about a half mile round trip and allows you to walk behind the falls and feel the cool mist and hear the violent rush of water tumbling into the gorge below. Next, we traveled down the road a mile or so to Cliffside Lake Recreation area and hiked on a couple of trails there. We hiked the lake loop and the Ranger Falls - Skitty Creek Trail and a portion of the Flat Mt. Rd. Trail. The trails here are nice with lots of restroom facilities and picnic areas and a nice network of trails to choose from. Total hiking distance today - About 5 miles with some elevation change. We rate the hike difficulty as moderate

Directions

From downtown Highlands, take highway 64 toward Franklin. Dry falls is a couple of miles down the highway on the left. For Cliffside Lake continue another couple of miles and look for the sign. Turn to the right and drive to the pay station ($4 per car / $2 with senior pass) and continue to the parking area. Another great day for a hike! WILD

Conditions

Mostly to partly cloudy with temperatures ranging from the upper 60's to the upper 70's F.

Hikers (12)

  • Mike Bell
  • Phil Brownrigg
  • Tim Hale
  • Adam Hunt
  • Bill Hunt
  • Layne Hunt
  • Ronnie Johns
  • Bob Magee
  • Jeanne O'Connor
  • Tony Presley
  • Vic Robson
  • Carole Wintle

Flowers in bloom

Wild Hydrangea, Black-eyed Susan, Buttercups, Indian Pipes, St. Johns Wort, Joe Pye Weed, Heal-all, Rattlesnake Plantain, Duck Potato (Arrowhead), Rhododendron Maximum, Woodland Sunflower, Coreopsis, Yarrow, Queen Anne's Lace, Red Clover, Evening Primrose, Mountain Phlox

Birds identified

Wood Duck, Mallard Duck, American Crow, Pileated Woodpecker, Carolina Wren, Nuthatch and Tufted Titmouse

Photos (14)

  • Dry Falls Parking Area on Highway 64 between Highlands and Franklin, NC.
  • Walking down the trail to spectacular Dry Falls!
  • Lots of water crashing over the falls today!
  • Walking behind the falls with cool mist!
  • At the observation area on the other side of the falls.
  • God's beautiful creation!
  • Always great to have hiker grandkids along!
  • Next, we take a very short drive down to the Cliffside Lake Trails.
  • The trail loops around the lake. Here we pass by the dam.
  • A trillium in fruit phase.
  • On the back side of the loop we take the Skitty Creek Trail and a portion of the Flat Mt. Trail.
  • This is the season for lots of beautiful fungi.
  • Ranger Falls!
  • The OFHC gang for today's hike. (l-r) Phil Brownrigg, Mike Bell, Ronnie Johns, Jeanne O'Connor, Vic Robson, Bill Hunt, Adam Hunt, Tim Hale, Layne Hunt, Carole Wintle, Bob Magee and Tony Presley. .