High Shoals Falls Loop Trail - 1,560'

South Mountains State Park is North Carolina's largest, covering some 18,000-acres. Located just south of Morganton, the South Mountains are an ancient extension of the Appalachian Mountains which are now separated from them by about 30-miles. Though not high by Appalachian standards, as far as the mountains of the Piedmont go, the South Mountains are the highest reaching elevations close to 3,000'. With over 40-miles of trails this huge state park offers everything from short day hikes to overnight backpacking trips that get you back into some truly remote country.

Although only about 2-hours from my home I have had very limited experience with South Mountians. Once before, some 10-years ago, my family and I stopped by to see the parks famous waterfall High Shoals Falls. Beyond that I hadn't been back. So when the opportunity came to stop by again in the form of a job interview I figured it would be irresponsible of me not to log at least a few miles of trail under my feet this time around.

My route for the day would take me on the 3-mile loop to and around High Shoals Falls as well as up to the Jacob Fork River Gorge Overlook and the summit crags of Chestnut Knob. Combined this would be around a 7-mile hike and combines two of the more popular trails in the park. Along the way I'd be treated to rugged streams, falls, cliffside overlooks, and a remarkable array of natural habitats. Though I would still only be scratching the surface of what this park has to offer I figured it would provide a nice overview of its highlights and spark and interest in returning in much less time than the previous 10-years. So, to the trail I headed to explore a small portion of this wonderfully diverse park...enjoy...

Trailhead GPS Coordinates: 35.602251, -81.629536

Route Type: Lollipop + Out-and-back

Difficulty: VERY HARD (Petzoldt Rating: 10.20 )

Hike Length: ~7.0 miles Hike Duration: 3:00

Trailhead Temp: 55'F Trail Traffic: 25-50 people

Min. Elevation: 1,350' Max. Elevation: 2,291'

Total Vertical Gain: 1,600' Avg. Elevation Gain / Mile: 229'

Trails Used (blaze color/shape): Chestnut Knob (white diamonds), Hemlock Nature (white triangles), High Shoals Falls Loop (blue circles)

10-9-2014

South Mountains State Park (7.0 miles; d=10.20)

South Mountains State Park Hike Route Map
The approximate track of my hike to High Shoals Falls and Chestnut Knob at South Mountains State Park as depicted a la Google Earth...
South Mountains State Park Hike Route Map
The approximate track of my hike to High Shoals Falls and Chestnut Knob, at South Mountains State Park...
South Mountains State Park - Jacob Fork Entrance
Though this huge park has many access points the one here on the east side, Jacob Fork, is the main one...
Visitor Center
The visitor center for the park isn't as flashy as you may think for a park this size. However, it is completely adequate providing info on the park and containing a concise and informative exhibit area regarding the park ecology...
High Shoals Falls Loop Trailhead - 1,350'
The Jacob Fork Trailhead, starting point for the more popular trails in the park. Namely the High Shoals Falls Loop and the Chestnut Knob Trail, both of which I'd be hiking this day...
High Shoals Falls Loop Trail - 1,360'
After passing through the Jacob Fork Picnic Area a veritable interstate of a hiking trail headed me in the direction of the falls...
High Shoals Falls Loop Trail - 1,390'
Shortly before reaching the High Shoals Falls Loop the trail crosses pretty Shinny Creek...
High Shoals Falls Loop Trail - 1,400'
A couple picnic tables and a kiosk denote the strat and finish of the High Shoals Falls Loop which would provide me with my first 3-mile tour of the day...
High Shoals Falls Loop Trail - 1,410'
I decided to do the loop in a clockwise direction, hitting the falls right away...the path was nicely manicured, at least at the start...
High Shoals Falls Loop Trail - 1,400'
A short, steep stairway carried me down to the banks of Jacob Fork, which I'd be following upstream to the falls...
High Shoals Falls Loop Trail - 1,480'
This huge slab of rock was exposed when Hurricane Hugo, in 1989, dumped torrwential rains on the park causing the massive slide which created it...
High Shoals Falls Loop Trail - 1,520'
As the trail approaches the falls, neighboring Jacob Fork becomes absolutely choked with boulders...to the point where Jacob Fork is hardly visible...
High Shoals Falls Loop Trail - 1,560'
Nearing the falls now, the trail crosses Jacob Fork on a boardwalk/bridge past a pretty pile of boulders through which the stream has found numerous ways to pass over, under, and around...
High Shoals Falls Loop Trail - 1,560'
This shot only shows you the main paths the river was taking through this huge pile of rock...it also was finding its way through just about every other nook and cranny as well...
High Shoals Falls Loop Trail - 1,640'
To get to the base of the main waterfall the trail climbs very steeply up the south side of the stream past some truly impressive boulders...
High Shoals Falls - 1,700'
Just about the time I started to huff and puff a bit I reached the small platform next to High Shoals Falls...
High Shoals Falls - 1,700'
At around 50' in height, High Shoals Falls isn't nearly the largest in the mountains but its setting on such a rugged river scores it some major scenery points...
High Shoals Falls Loop Trail - 1,720'
Past High Shoals Falls the trail continues to ascend the gorge via a long flight of steps...
High Shoals Falls Loop Trail - 1,780'
Near the top of the gorge the overhead cliffs just got higher and higher...
High Shoals Falls Loop Trail - 1,800'
The climb above the falls certainly warmed me up...I had no problem taking a few minutes breather to enjoy these small cascades above the lip of the falls...
High Shoals Falls Loop Trail - 1,780'
A long wooden bridge allowed me to cross high and dry over Jacob Fork...
High Shoals Falls Loop Trail - 1,780'
Jacob Fork from the bridge in the previous shot, looking upstream...
High Shoals Falls Loop Trail - 1,800'
No heading away from the river the trail began a short climb up and over the ridge above the falls...
High Shoals Falls Loop Trail - 1,880'
About halfway around the loop I reached the junction with the Upper Falls Trail, which heads left here....

Dan Weemhoff (dwhike)
on November 13, 2018
No worries at all Tim...I love hearing that folks are finding my site useful and interesting! Comment all you'd like! South Mountains in the fall is wonderful but fleeting. Thanks for sharing!
Tim Truemper
on November 12, 2018
I know I am commenting a lot on your page as of late. Was at South Mountain Park today and went to Clear Creek on the West Side and then did the River Trail for photo shots. Well, as we know fall is way late. Today was past peak but what you would expect for late October. Regardless, your blog is so fun to view.