Hooker Falls after the Rain

We have had more than seven blessed inches of rain in the last 10 days. The rain fell gently and soaked into the ground, giving the trees a much-needed drink before winter. There was no flash flooding at all, but the rivers and streams filled to their normal levels.

Little River, the main stream through DuPont State Forest in our county has been very low all summer and fall. And the water flowing over Hooker Falls has been much reduced. With the recent rain, the river level is back to normal and all the waterfalls along Little River are beautiful.

Hooker Falls is one of the most accessible waterfall in the area, only a short walk (not even a hike) from the parking lot. It is not tall, cascading a mere eleven feet, but it is wide and beautiful nonetheless. Fans of the recent version of "Last of the Mohicans" recall Hooker Falls as the waterfall the canoes went over.

Here is Hooker Falls, taken in the mist last week:

Little River is full and flowing recklessly over the rocks.

Compare the flow with this picture taken last June. Notice all the visible rocks, now hidden with normal flow.

A fisherman takes advantage of the swirling water, wading into the middle of the stream.

The normal flow of water near the horse ford along the trail to Hooker Falls:

How wonderful the rain has been. Transylvania County has been in a drought for two consecutive years. Despite the recent rains, we are still categorized as D3 - Extreme Drought Conditions. All of us are hoping for a wet winter and spring to replenish the water sheds.

Waterfall Wednesday

Did you see The Last of the Mohicans? If so, you have seen today's waterfall. Remember the canoe going over the waterfall? That was filmed at Hooker Falls.

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.