Dupont State Forest Waterfalls Best Hike

• Difficulty: Easy
• Total Length: 0.6 - 6 mi
• Trail Tread Condition: Some Obstacles
• Climb: Climbs Moderately
• Lowest Elevation: 2230 ft
• Highest Elevation: 2560 ft
• Total Elevation Gain: 120 ft
• Trails/Roads Used: Hooker Falls Road, Galax, Triple Falls, High Falls, Covered Bridge, Lake Imaging, Buck Forest Road, Grassy Creek Falls, Conservation Road, Joanna Road, Lake Dense, Bridal Veil Falls Road
• Hike Configuration: Partial loop, out-and-back
• Starting point: Hooker Falls Parking Area
• How to Get There: From Asheville, take I-240 west to I-26 east to the exit for Asheville Airport (exit 40). Head south (right) on NC 280 (4-lane highway) toward Brevard for 16 miles. Turn left on US 64 East and drive 3.7 miles. Turn right on Crab Creek Road. Drive 4.3 miles and turn right on Dupont Road. The road will climb and change names to Staton Road, then begin a long downhill, at the bottom of which is the bridge over the Little River. The parking area is on the right just before the bridge. The trail to Triple and High Falls starts on the other side of the bridge.
  Directions on Google Maps

The main part of this hike goes to Hooker, Triple, and High Falls, and is rated as easy. There are, however, two steep sections on that part of the trail, so keep that in mind. Thus, if you're looking for a trail the whole family can enjoy with no steep or difficult parts, just hiking to Hooker Falls and back will fit that bill. You could, of course, stop and go back after visiting any one of the main falls if you've had enough, but it's well worth the effort to continue on! Plus, there are optional extensions to other destinations, such as the covered bridge, Grassy Creek Falls, Lake Dense, and Bridal Veil Falls, which would make it a long Moderate hike overall if you choose to visit those.

The tread surface on all trails to all points on this hike is graveled, with only a very short section of trail with some obstacles (a few rocks and roots on the trail to Grassy Creek Falls). A detailed breakdown of difficulty and length for the various destinations on this hike are as follows. Figures are round trip, including all points listed before:

• Hooker Falls: Easy, negligible climb
• Triple Falls: Easy, 0.6 mile, 120' climb
• High Falls: Easy, 2.0 miles, 240' climb
• Grassy Creek Falls: Moderate, 4.2 miles, 360' climb
• Lake Dense: Moderate, 5.8 miles, 400' climb
• Bridal Veil Falls: Moderate, about 2 extra miles and 100' extra climb (details soon)

This hike includes many points of interest at Dupont State Forest. You may turn around at any point or visit them all. While the first part of this easy, multi-faceted hike is perfect for families, or those wanting the quickest access to Dupont's best waterfalls, the second half is suitable for those wanting a more rigorous workout with plenty of scenic attractions such as a unique, long, sliding cascade or a side hike to a beautiful mountain lake. There is such a large network of trails at Dupont you will definitely want to have the map handy when you hike!

Preamble: To Hooker Falls (Easy)
Though the falls is nothing spectacular, it's pretty and well worth the leg-stretcher required to get to it. Take the gated trail to the right of the sign board (Hooker Falls trail), and bear left at the intersection. The mostly level trail leads about 1/4 mile to viewpoints at the top and bottom of the falls. Return to the parking lot.

Section 1: To Triple Falls (Easy)
Begin by crossing the highway bridge over the Little River, but stay on the right side of the road. Be very careful; this is a straight section of road at the bottom of a hill and cars travel very fast! There is at least a nice wide shoulder to walk on. (The DOT was planning on building a pedestrian bridge across the Little River, but for now, this is the only way across.) Although the trail sign is on the left side of the road once you cross the bridge, there is no reason to cross the road to reach the trail. Stay on the right side of the road, hop the guardrail and go down the steps leading down the bank on the right. At the bottom of the steps, turn right, and go back under the bridge on a trail. After going under the bridge, turn right onto the Galax trail. (You'll see the steps leading up to the other side of the road).

This trail provides a more gentle ascent than its counterpart to the left, and even though it was built with mountain bikers and horseback riders in mind, it is a pleasant trail to walk. There are very few obstacles though you may encounter some rocks or roots. You will round several switchbacks on the way up - please, do not shortcut them! The forest is young, with mixed hardwoods, a few pines and an understory of mainly mountain laurel. Also, look down at the forest floor itself. This trail is named for the round, shiny-leafed plant that covers parts of the ground - galax. This plant is popular as a Christmas decoration, as it retains its green color for a long time after it is picked. But don't pick it here, it is protected. Leave it for others to enjoy - you may find yourself with a citation if you decide to pick it anyway.

At the top of this hill (which is the longest steady climb on the whole hike), you will intersect a gravel road and the picnic shelter for Triple Falls - which, properly, has an excellent view of the falls! You can also head down the steps to get to a closer overlook along the Triple Falls Trail. If you want to access the base of the middle falls, turn right at the bottom of the steps and then left onto the trail heading to the base (marked "to the falls"). Be VERY careful on the rocks; stay on the dry, flat areas and DO NOT climb the rocks or go into the water (it's illegal, and people have died here doing that)! Be sure to get a few snapshots, and maybe enjoy a picnic with the sound of the rushing water in the background.

You may turn around here and return to your vehicle to make this an easy hike; however, continuing on to High Falls is highly recommended! If you are turning around here, you have two options: head back down the Galax trail or take the Triple Falls trail which follows the river. That alternative drops steeply at first, but then levels out and has some rocks and muddy/wet sections. But both trails come out back at the road bridge.

Section 2: To High Falls (Easy)
From the picnic shelter, go uphill on the gravel road and take a left onto the High Falls trail. This trail is mostly level, smooth and wide, with a few wet spots and a few rocks. The trail follows the Little River closely and it is amazing how calm and level it is between the two falls. At the next intersection bear right, to begin a moderate climb up to the High Falls overlook. It's a spectacular sight. The water slides down a 150' high dome of exposed rock almost as wide, at several points launching itself into the air. Proceed past the overlook and you can take the set of steps uphill to the right to reach another picnic shelter, again with a great view. Or go downhill to the left on a narrow, rocky trail to reach the base of the falls. If you go to the base, be very careful on slippery rocks and do not try to climb the falls!

You may turn around here and return to your vehicle for an easy hike, or continue on to the Covered Bridge. If you are turning around here, head back on the High Falls trail to Triple Falls. Either take the Galax trail back again or bear right onto the Triple Falls trail, and descend past the overlook. Both trails come back out at the road bridge over the Little River.

Section 3: to the Covered Bridge over the Little River
If you wish to continue on to the Covered Bridge or beyond, you can do so by continuing to follow the trails uphill from the overlook or the picnic shelter. Both trails go to the same place and join to become the High Falls trail. Follow that to the Covered Bridge trail, then turn left. Then turn left again on the wide, graveled Buck Forest road to reach the covered bridge at the top of High Falls. Here, you get an interesting view of the calm, smooth river above the falls, and on the other side as it spills over the brink of High Falls.

Section 4: to Grassy Creek Falls (Moderate)
If you wish to continue on to Grassy Creek Falls, then cross the bridge, and at the intersection with Conservation Road on the other side, go straight on Buck Forest Road. The trail to Grassy Creek Falls is wide, smooth, and gently rolling. This was to be one of the main access roads in the gated development that would've had this area closed to the public. I have to give credit where credit is due, however. The developer did an excellent job of protecting the waterways in this area with anti-erosion controls; you can see them along this part of the hike. Soon you'll reach the intersection with the Lake Imaging trail just after crossing Grassy Creek on a big, sturdy, wooden vehicular bridge. Turn left here, slightly uphill. Walk just a short distance and then turn left onto the Grassy Creek Falls trail. This narrower trail descends to the middle of the falls and a viewing platform. Return to the bridge on the same path.

Section 5: To Lake Dense (Moderate)
The trail to Lake Dense was also planned to be a main road. If you returned to the bridge from Grassy Creek Falls, turn left on Conservation Road. If you came from High Falls, it will be a right on Conservation Road. The road is fairly level and travels along the river. At the intersection with Joanna Road, turn left and head uphill slightly. After several dozen yards, turn right on Lake Dense Trail. You'll emerge at the gem of a mountain lake at its dam. It is fed by the outflow of another, tiny lake - which is directly spring fed. The water is crystal-clear, and Joanna Mountain in the background makes for a spectacular scene. Bring your bathing suit - swimming is allowed and very inviting on a hot day! Hang out on the docks or perhaps enjoy a snack in the picnic shelter. You may also continue along the same trail through the pines to Lake Alford.

After you've seen enough - or you're forced to leave because of the time, like I always am - head back to the covered bridge, and then back on the same trails you hiked in on.