Rainbow Falls Trail (#499)
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Route map of the Rainbow Falls Trail as tracked by the Gaia GPS app and depicted a la Google Earth...
Route map of the Rainbow Falls Trail as tracked by the Gaia GPS app...
Rainbow Falls Trailhead (Gorges State Park) -- 2,940'
The trailhead for Rainbow Falls is located within Gorges State Park at the south end of the park loop road. Though this upper portion of the trail isn't within Pisgah National Forest, there's no other way to access it so the album will start from here...
Rainbow Falls Trailhead (Gorges State Park) -- 2,940'
You pass a full barrage of park and forest information at the Rainbow Falls Trailhead...
Rainbow Falls Trailhead (Gorges State Park) -- 2,940'
Looking back at the upper end of the Rainbow Falls Trail at Gorges State Park...
Beginning the gradual descent into the gorge...
Rainbow Falls /Raymond Fisher Trail Junction -- 2,820'
In 1/3-mile the T-junction with the Raymond Fisher Trail is reached. To continue on the Rainbow Falls Trail follow the arrow to the right...
The popularity of the trail is evidenced in its wide, smooth cut through the forest...
Most guidebooks rate this trail as strenuous, that's really just regarding the return hike. Many people hike down this trail without considering the fact that, after seeing the waterfalls, they still have to walk out...
Rainbow Falls Trail (National Forest Boundary) -- 2,640'
Crossing the park boundary line...now you're on an official Pisgah National Forest trail...
Rainbow Falls Trail (National Forest Boundary) -- 2,640'
Looking at the State Park/National Forest boundary from the return direction...
Continuing the easy downhill walk...