Toms Spring (Daniel Ridge) Falls

Toms Spring Falls, or Daniel Ridge Falls, or Jackson Falls...or whatever you call them, are an (occasionally) impressive falls located in the heart of the Pisgah Ranger District of Transylvania County. They're quite easy to get to also, which is a bonus! At over 100' high the falls can be quite intimidating during periods of high water but on this visit they were fairly dry. It didn't facilitate a great picture-taking opportunity but it was still a nice, quick hike with the boys regardless...

Trailhead GPS Coordinates: 35.284822, -82.829212

Route Type: Out-and-back

Difficulty: EASY (Petzoldt Rating: 1.29 )

Mileage Hiked: 1.0 mile

Trailhead Temp: 80'F

Min. Elevation: 2,635'

Max Elevation: 2,780'

Trails Used (Blaze Color):

Farlow Gap (blue), Daniel Ridge Loop (red)

Toms Spring Falls, Transylvania County (6-8-12)

Toms Spring Falls Hike Route Map
Our approximate route...
Daniel Ridge Loop Trailhead
The path to the falls is the Daniel Ridge Loop which is a 4 mile hike up along the like-named ridge...to the falls it's only about 3/4 of a mile...
Daniel Ridge Loop Trail
I found myself thinking, for a gated road this is an awfully impressive bridge! Shortly after starting out you cross this big guy to get to other side of the Davidson River...
Daniel Ridge Loop Trail
The pretty Davidson River from the bridge in the previous shot...
Daniel Ridge Loop Trail
Wildflowers are another nice reason to make this hike, this being a pretty example of Crown Vetch...
Daniel Ridge Loop Trail
Daniel Ridge Loop Trail
High, flowering plants on either side of the trail meant that the sound of buzzing bees was ever present...
Daniel Ridge Loop Trail
The trail climbs moderately and quite severely eroded in places...
Daniel Ridge Loop Trail
Not my favorite flower but interesting in its own right...Horse-nettle...
Toms Spring (Daniel Ridge) Falls
A short spur trail spits you out right under the falls. As you can see it was quite dry which was a bit disappointing...
Toms Spring (Daniel Ridge) Falls
The lack of water meant we could have a bit of fun scrambling around on the rocks, however...
Toms Spring (Daniel Ridge) Falls
The boys busy themselves looking for crayfish and tossing stones...
Toms Spring (Daniel Ridge) Falls
With the low water and broght sun, I had to pacify myself with some isolation shots of the falls...
Toms Spring (Daniel Ridge) Falls
Barely a trickle...
Toms Spring (Daniel Ridge) Falls
At around 150' high the cliff itself is impressive to stand under, despite the lack of water...
Daniel Ridge Loop Trail
A good stretch of the legs on a pleasant afternoon...we'll have to try it again after a good, long rain!