High Falls on South Fork Mills River Hike Route Map

High Falls (not to be confused with the handful of other 'High' Falls in Transylvania County alone) is certainly not the largest or most impressive waterfall in the area but what it lacks for in size it makes up for in the journey there and simple, serene beauty. At around 4-miles round-trip the hike out to the falls wasn't a major undertaking but if you're thinking of visiting for yourself there are a couple things you should know. First, bring a map. Though the first half of the hike is along the well-traveled South Mills River Trail the latter half of the hike is along a much lesser used and unofficial spur trail which follows the north bank of the South Fork. Secondly, unless you're willing to get your feet you're not going to see this falls. A quarter mile or so above High Falls you need to ford the South Fork Mills River. As Kevin Adams advises in his book...take a look at the river at the trailhead, if it looks to unsafe to ford at that point don't even bother heading out. On this visit the area was experiencing a prolonged period of dry weather and the stream was shin to knee deep and the current was still surprisingly strong.

All that said, this was still a fun and relatively easy hike. The unofficial trail which takes you to the falls was not nearly as hard to follow as I anticipated, the wildflowers were abundant, and the ford added just a hint of adventure making for a memorable couple hours in the forest. Come on along with me to one of the lesser known and visited waterfalls in Pisgah National Forest...

Trailhead GPS Coordinates: 35.366459, -82.739075

Route Type: Out-and-back Difficulty: MODERATE (Petzoldt Rating: 4.40 )

Hike Length: 4.0 miles Hike Duration: 1:45

Trailhead Temp: 75'F Trail Traffic: 5-10 people

Min. Elevation: 2,950' Max. Elevation: 3,150'

Total Vertical Gain: 200' Avg. Elevation Gain / Mile: 50'

Trails Used (Blaze Color):

South Mills River (white), High Falls Spur (unblazed)

5-17-2015

High Falls on South Fork Mills River (4.0 miles; d=4.40)

High Falls on South Fork Mills River Hike Route Map
The approximate track of my hike to High Falls on South Fork Mills River as depicted a la Google Earth...
High Falls on South Fork Mills River Hike Route Map
The approximate track of my hike to High Falls on South Fork Mills River...
South Mills River Trailhead
The hike began beyond the forest service gate at the end of FR-476 (also known as Wolf Ford Road). It was immediately apparent from the collection of vehicles and wide nature of the trail that this is a popular place to go for a walk or ride...
South Mills River Trail
No sooner had I stepped off I was just about murdered by a passing cyclist flying around a blind corner. This is a multi-use trail and I had the unfortunate luck of travelling it on a bike race weekend...I'd be nervously looking over my shoulder for the first half of the hike...
Wild Geranium
Geranium maculatum
South Mills River Trail
The trail, for most of the length I traveled it, closely followed the South Fork Mills River...
South Mills River Trail
The South Mills River Trail is actually an old logging road that has been gated for recreational use (which is a common trait of many trails in the area)...
South Mills River Trail
While pretty, the South Fork Mills River isn't all that turbulent for a mountain stream. This is one of the few 'major' cascades I passed along the first part of the hike...
South Mills River Trail
Oh, the poor hemlocks...
South Mills River Trail
Around 3/4 of a mile in I passed a deep pool at a sharp bend in the river known as the 'Otter Hole'. I would have stayed longer but raindrops and rumbles in the distance told me I should keep moving...
South Mills River Trail - Otter Hole
A shot of the South Fork as it cascades into the Otter Hole. I assume its self-explanatory how the pool got its name but unfortunately I didn't see any of the playful critters this afternoon...
Jack-in-the-pulpit
Arisaema triphyllum
South Mills River Trail
Passing another small cascade...
South Mills River Trail
A mile in the trail swung right to cross the river via an old concrete bridge (seen here, barely). From here I'd be leaving the main trail, staying on the north bank of the stream...
South Mills River Trail
The South Fork Mills River as seen from the old concrete bridge...
South Mills River Trail
Standing at the bridge and looking back you can see the unmarked spur trail I'd be following to High Falls entering the rhododendron to the right...
High Falls Spur Trail
A closer look at the path which would take me to High Falls from where it breaks off the South Mills River Trail...
High Falls Spur Trail
Almost immediately after leaving the main trail the path crossed a small, cascading stream known as Billy Branch...
High Falls Spur Trail
Beyond Billy Branch I found myself climbing a bit...
Speckled Wood-lily
Clintonia umbellulata
High Falls Spur Trail
I had gained enough elevation at this point that the river was all but hidden below...
High Falls Spur Trail
Passing through a galax-rhododendron tunnel...
Galax
Galax urceolata
High Falls Spur Trail
Before long I was headed back down to the river again...