Hooker Falls is one of the four waterfalls on the Little River in DuPont State Forest. At a maximum height the water falls about 22 feet. It is one of the few waterfalls in Transylvania County that provides recreation for the public beyond viewing and photographing.
Edmund Hooker ran a mill over the falls in the late 1800s. Back then, it was called Mill Shoals Falls. It is now known as Hooker Falls.
This is Little River before you get to Hooker Falls. The water level is much lower than normal, as are all the rivers in Western North Carolina. In a year with normal rainfall, only the tips of the rocks would be visible.
A bridle path crosses the path to the falls. This is the horse ford:
Looking downstream from the horse ford:
This is from the top of Hooker Falls. With a normal water level, the water streams across the entire area.
This is what makes Hooker Falls recreational and popular. At the foot of the falls is a swimming hole. Lots of people love to swim here in spite of the fact that the water is so cold there are trout fishermen not a hundred yards away.
The best view of the falls is from below. Much to my chagrin, I found a gate across the trail to the swimming area with a sign that read, "Closed from June 2 through June 6. No access allowed!" Bummer! I promise to go back for the "good" picture. Hooker Falls is accessible to the handicapped. There is a paved entrance and a special viewing deck for the handicapped. Here is the view from there.
It was such a lovely day that I soon lost my disappointment that I couldn't get down to the bottom of the falls. As an added bonus, I found what well may be the very last blooming honeysuckle in the area. What a treat.
7 comments:
Not a stupid question; it's a stupid blogger who didn't spell bridle correctly, the term for a horse trail.
Thanks for catching it.
Looks like everything here did yesterday....pouring water!
your pictures are inviting and makes me want to come to NC. someday i will
Interesting post. I guess you learn something new every day. I guess that begs the question: which version of the Last of the Mochicans?
Helen - what we would give to have some of your rain.
Toni - NC is a great place to live or visit. Hope you make it here sometime.
Scienceguy - the 1992 version directed by Michael Mann. Sorry, I totally forgot about the 1936 version, although the link will take you to the newer one. Thanks for dropping by.
Please go back to Hooker Falls. Right about now, I'd like to strip down and stand under those falls... Is it hot there? We're around 100 heat index, Carolyn.
Your photos are fabulous. I'd love to see the falls.
Yes, Mary, it is hot and humid and pretty awful outside. Record-breaking highs today in the mountains. And no break for at least 5 days. I suspect the swimming hole at Hooker will be jam-packed this weekend. Come to the mountains and I'll show you all of the falls.
Post a Comment