LIFE'S BETTER IN THE MOUNTAINS

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Waterfall Wednesday

The area now known as Dupont State Forest was originally an operation for DuPont Corporation. When DuPont ceased operations there in 1996, the State of North Carolina began to acquire the 10,300 acres. There are several waterfalls along the Little River in DuPont State Forest.

This is High Falls. At 150 feet, it is the tallest waterfall in DuPont Forest. To give you some scale, you may want to enlarge the picture to see the man standing to the lower right at the bottom of the falls.


At the top of the falls stands a picnic shelter on the old site of the Buck Forest Hunt Club Lodge.

In the right center of this picture, you can see a dying Carolina Hemlock.
High Falls is a cascading waterfall, meaning it mostly stays on the rocks, descending them like steps. It does “free fall” in some places.








Huge boulders line the bottom of the falls as it returns to Little River.



Amazingly, the water ceases to roar and tumble and becomes very placid less than fifty yards from the bottom of High Falls.



A fifteen minute hike downstream leads to another large waterfall. But that’s for another Wednesday.

8 comments:

Ruth said...

Very lovely and peaceful looking area. I did not know what a cascading waterfall was.

Lynne at Hasty Brook said...

I didn't know what a cascading waterfall was either. I'm amazed that the water, so full of power and energy would flow so calmy at the bottom.

KGMom said...

I find waterfalls endlessly fascinating. I have had to pleasure of seeing Victoria Falls (in south central Africa). And of course Niagara Falls.
These photos remind me of some of the falls out in Oregon, that seem to tumble down--or cascade.
Lovely post.

Unknown said...

Beautiful! We have a couple of small cascading falls here.

BTW I'm looking forward to the blackberries also.

Jayne said...

That is so beautiful, and so powerful to watch. :c)

Ginnie said...

This is my first time visit to your blog...by way of KGMom...and I, too, live in NC...but your area is far superior.
I noticed in your "Profile" you mentioned Joanne Harris as one of your favorite authors. I am reading the sequel to "Chocolat", "The Girl with no Shadow" and loving it.

NCmountainwoman said...

Ruth - Waterfalls are enchanting places. So much power from such little streams.
Lynne - It is amazing to stand at the foot of the falls. You can look downstream and see the placid water while hearing the roar of the falls.
KGmom - I can only imagine what Victoria must be like. We've driven the "waterfall" road in Oregon and you are correct. They are much like the ones here.
Toni - Glad you have your own falls.
Jayne - They are indeed fascinating and powerful.
Ginnie - Thanks for visiting. Always glad to hear from another Tarheel.

Mary said...

There is this beauty in NC that I've never seen? I saw that speck of a man. I think I need to wander around NC and see what it has to offer. Waterfalls are natural beauty at its best.

Lovely photos!