Rainbow Falls Trail (#499)
Read MoreRainbow 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...
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...
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...
Rainbow Falls Trail @ Stairway Falls Spur Path -- 2,570'
At around the one-mile mark an old forest service stake marks the unmaintained side trail to Stairway Falls, descending off the ridge to the left at a sharp right hand bend. This spot is easy to miss, so keep a sharp eye out...