However, we are middle aged and do some exercising. Turtleback Falls is another quarter mile up the trail from Rainbow Falls. Turtleback Falls NC is an amazing and popular sliding rock and swimming hole, located deep inside Pisgah National Forest, near Sapphire, NC. Turtleback Mountain Preserve: Turtlehead Summit, Check the San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau travel advisory for the latest COVID updates. In the distance, Vancouver Island and the Olympic mountains will be visible. The hike from Rainbow to Turtleback Falls is less than 0.15 of a mile so barely enough time to get bored and complain. Subscribe to our free email newsletter for hiking events, news, gear reviews and more. Our next stop, ... Fire Creek Falls – Great place to hike, have a picnic and even swim. Use caution. The hike to Stairway Falls is the only that begins in the parking area. This trail was constructed with great sensitivity, and it winds carefully around mossy boulders and tree trunks. Rainier will be visible in the far distance. More dramatically, a golden eagle may soar by. Constitution and other Orcas Island high points. See more ideas about gorges state park, turtleback falls, pisgah national forest. The trail is primarily used for hiking, nature trips, and mountain biking and is accessible year-round. Several access points along the river provide views of Turtleback Falls as it comes in from the right. Seattle, WA 98104. This hike is beautiful at all times of year, but it is especially rewarding in the fall for colored foliage. There's a mild eddy to the right of falls and current to the left so swim towards the shore once you take your plunge. This used to come into play frequently. where you can look out across President Channel to Waldron Island, and beyond. Rainbow Falls, Stairway Falls, Turtle-back Falls, and Bust-yo-butt Falls! The signed trailhead will be on your left in 1.6 miles. If it’s warm out you will have to contend with people sliding down the rock into the pool at the base. Washington Trails Association is 501(c)(3) nonprofit. The marked trail ends at Rainbow Falls, however hikers can continue upstream about 1/4 mile to Turtleback Falls. Hike to Rainbow first by starting on the obvious trail at the kiosks on the south end of the parking area. South Turtleback is one of my favorite hikes! You’ll come to a T junction in a little less than 0.3 mile. The worst of the outbound hike is over. A tree near the overlook is favored by turkey vultures, and you might see one perched there. The falls combine a slide and short free fall into a 20-foot drop and a deep splash pool. Rainbow Falls is just over 1.5 miles in, and Turtleback Falls is less than half a mile beyond that. and Turtleback Falls. Alan Gibbs. Another fabulous hike at South Turtleback! There is room for about 15 cars. The falls is usually accessed by a hike starting in Gorges State Park which passes through Pisgah National Forest property. On a clear day, the summit dome of Mt. Since you have to park in Gorges, I list them in the Gorges Section. The hike is rated strenuous, not due to the length, but due to the hilly nature of the trail itself. People slide down these falls and swim in the swimming hole beneath them, but the currents can be extremely strong so, again, be cautious. Sightings of golden eagles, turkey vultures, and many other birds are likely. Cross the creek and hike another 0.45 mile to Rainbow Falls on the left. The falls is located on the Horsepasture River in the Pisgah National Forest. The signed North Trail starts out from the parking area. The trail levels to reach Turtleback Falls at 1.65 miles, where the Horsepasture River cascades 25 feet over a large, curved rock outcrop into a pool below. Turtleback Falls is uniquely shaped, offering the ability to climb up to the top, and then sliding back down. Feb 20, 2018 - The hiking trail to Rainbow Falls and Turtleback Falls in Gorges State Park is worth the trip from Asheville, N.C. Our guide to two of the most beautiful waterfalls in the state. You are likely to see a few swallows gliding around the summit on their never-ending quest for an insect lunch. I’m going to treat Stairway Falls, Secret Falls, Rainbow Falls, Turtleback Falls and Drift Falls as a single entity. More information Turtleback Falls ~ 1.5m hike to Rainbow Falls at Gorges State Park with another 1/4m to Turtleback and swimming. Jun 28, 2020 - Explore Ingrid's board "Turtleback falls" on Pinterest. One misstep and you could end up in the river just above Rainbow Falls. If you venture further upstream you can get a straight on view of the falls. Turn right on the orange-blazed Rainbow Falls Trail. The roar of the river grows louder before fading completely as you dip into a side cove. Either shot will do. A short distance past main rainbow falls you can view two other falls, one is which is at the very end of the park / path with warning signs not to venture further onto private property. It resembles more of an ATV track than a trail at this point. Taken as a whole this ranks as my top waterfall hike in the area. Each successive waterfall on the hike will begin at its predecessor so this will be a little different than my other entries. Contributions to WTA are tax deductible, and we are committed to making the best use of every donation to our mission. Located on Horsepasture River within Gorges State Park, Turtleback (aka. The hike from Rainbow to Turtleback Falls is less than 0.15 of a mile so barely enough time to get bored and complain. Along the way, enjoy an exuberant display of mosses and, in season, wildflowers. Thank you!! then head north on Orcas Rd (aka Horseshoe Highway.) Home     Alphabetical Listing     Numerical Listing     Location Listing     Gorges State Park. Jul 31, 2016 - Turtleback Falls in Pisgah National Forest is accessed by a hike from Gorges State Park in North Carolina. Along the way, enjoy an exuberant display … Turtleback Falls is a short distance upstream from Rainbow Falls. You can take some shots of the falls from the large rock directly in front of the falls or you can shoot it from below the bend in profile. It may seem wide, and it's actually an old logging road. On a warm day, this place will be packed. Return to the North Trail and continue on uphill. The rocks are slippery and current swift. Rainbow Falls Trail located in Gorges State Park, NC is a rally nice deep woods hike, that begins in Gorges State Park and ends in Pisgah National Forest at either Rainbow Falls or Turtleback Falls.. Turtleback Falls is a great picnic spot for fall color in October. At 0.99 mile from the trailhead, a brown carsonite steak marks the side trail on the left for Stairway Falls. Drift Falls Update: Hike another 1/2 mile upstream to reach the Drift Falls area with a few campsites along the river. Turtleback Falls, also called Umbrella Falls, is a waterfall in Western North Carolina, located near Rosman. May 29, 2019 - Explore David Freeze's board "gorges state park near asheville" on Pinterest. Hike a short trail that leads to one of the best viewpoints in the San Juans, with views of other San Juan Islands and of Canada's Gulf Islands. Turtle) Falls is an open rockface waterfall that can also be enjoyed as a slip-n-slide in summer months. I talked to the agent on the phone and get the information that it is a 3-mile hike from the Gorges State Park trail entrance to Rainbow Falls and another 1 mile to Turtleback Falls. The right fork will lead you to the top of Rainbow Falls as is follows this section of the Horsepasture River. In 3.5 miles, where Orcas Rd bends sharply right, be alert for a left turn onto narrow Nordstrom Ln, and take it about a half-mile to a T-junction with Crow Valley Rd, where you turn right. Our rule used to be, you can only be carried on the uphill portions of the return hike. – 15 mins from Hayesville – put Leatherwood Falls, Sweetwater, NC in your GPS. Despite the steeper segments the hike remains kid friendly. The trail out to Turtlehead Summit opened in 2013, and was constructed by volunteers from WTA, Washington Conservation Corps, and Orcas Island Youth Conservation Corps. The eroded sections and the steep ascent coming to Rainbow Falls may challenge younger children. This 5 waterfall hike is a 4 mile lightly trafficked out and back trail located near Lake Toxaway, NC that features 4 waterfalls and is rated moderate. Again, there’s a lot to see and this helps keep their mind off how much their legs hurt. Wildflowers will appear later in the season. The downstream views don’t provide a striaght on view of the Falls. The river between falls tranquil and as long as the rock is dry you can venture out. Things get much better farther along. Trail approaching Turtlehead Summit. It was very shaded and the inclines weren't strenuous. Turtle Back is a very safe place for riding the waterfalls. It's eroded in places, with steep side slopes eating into the trail surface. The falls are very close together. The worst of the outbound hike is over. The hike curves around upper Turtleback, catching views of the unique waterfall upriver. You'll notice the trail getting a bit steeper before it crosses a small stream. Turtleback Falls is a great picnic spot for fall color in October. The falls is located on the Horsepasture River in the Pisgah National Forest. Turtleback Falls is the fourth waterfall of five waterfalls along this section of the Horsepasture River. Photo by Marin. At first it's gently uphill. Bring a sandwich from Rose’s to go with the amazing view and it’s the perfect lunch spot. Posted by Sybrina. The falls is usually accessed by a hike starting in Gorges State Park which passes through Pisgah National Forest property. Vancouver Island is visible off to the far west, and the Olympic Mountains off to the south. In the distance, Vancouver Island and the Olympic mountains will be visible. As you approach the Turtlehead Summit the area opens up completely. It was once a popular natural slide (also known as Bust Your Butt), but it's on private property. I did a lot of carrying of my then 4 year old, on the way back. We thought the hike was great. It leads to other trails that continue down to the South Trailhead along Deer Harbor Rd. Great trails and another fantastic vista. From the lower observation area, backtrack to the split in the Rainbow Falls Trail and take the upper branch. If you venture out onto any of these vantages use caution. Hike a short trail that leads to one of the best viewpoints in the San Juans, with views of other San Juan Islands and of Canada's Gulf Islands. If you don't relish road walks, no worries. (Bring a map and try to identify some.) 29-jun-2020 - Rainbow Falls & Turtleback Hike | Hiking near Asheville, N.C. You mentioned Pisgah National Forest another that needs to further hike for another mile and half. The trail arcs around Turtleback Falls, crossing a small wood bridge and passing a tall rock outcrop and shallow cave. They’re about a 40 min drive from the Highlands in Gorges State Park. While it’s certainly not safe to swim on or near Rainbow Falls, many people use Turtleback Falls as a natural waterslide and swimming area. Hiking through the Pisgah National Forest on a 2 mile hike, you come to Rainbow Falls (not shown) & Turtleback Falls. If backpacking overnight follow the river approx. This short (0.05-mile) trail leads to the Waldron Overlook, a viewpoint located on the edge of a sheer cliff (be careful!) Turtleback Falls is very nice but it has the misfortune of being just upstream from one of the most striking waterfalls in the area, Rainbow Falls. See more ideas about Turtleback falls, North carolina travel, Lake lure. You should find a flat with firepit and nice hammock trees. You can improve or add to this guidebook entry, Washington Trails Association The top of Rainbow Falls isn’t one of them. 5/5. This popular trail is jointly maintained by Gorges State Park and the Pisgah Ranger District. Return to the North Trail and, almost immediately, come to an intersection where the North Trail veers sharply left. While the San Juans and nearby islands have a wealth of outstanding viewpoints, many hikers proclaim Turtlehead to be the best of them all. (That's an alternative route to this point, but one that is longer and has more elevation gain. One one more to go on this hike, Drift Falls. As a slip-n-slide, visitors slide down the face of the Falls, then enjoy a (roughly) 10 foot drop into an open basin pool. Posted by San Juan Hiker. 100 yards past the falls and hike a steep path to the right. The trail accesses the Horse Pasture River and follows it upstream. The strength of the current can be misleading. The remainder of my top 10 list can be found here. Nov 3, 2019 - The hiking trail to Rainbow Falls and Turtleback Falls in Gorges State Park is worth the trip from Asheville, N.C. Our guide to two of the most beautiful waterfalls in the state. It begins as a gentle downhill grade, losing about 275 feet before the uphill resumes. Reviewed July 14, 2020 A small group of friends hiked the Rainbow Falls & Turtleback Falls trail. Rainbow Falls and Turtleback Falls Trail is a 3.9 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Sapphire, North Carolina that features a waterfall and is rated as moderate. 705 2nd Ave, Suite 300 In another 0.11 mile, come to a creek crossing. Puget Sound and Islands -- San Juan Islands, Day Hiking the San Juans and Gulf Islands. Take a Washington State Ferry from Anacortes to Orcas Island (reservations recommended!) Rainbow Falls - just below Turtleback Falls on this hike. However, the trail - and optionally, the hike - continues about a half mile further upstream to a couple of smaller cascades and waterfalls - namely, Turtleback Falls and the one we're after - Drift Falls. Turtleback Falls in Pisgah National Forest is accessed by a hike from Gorges State Park in North Carolina. Hike by WTA Correspondents: I’m so thankful this land is protected and happily donated to the Trust to help keep it maintained. Continue on the trail for 0.16 mile to Turtleback Falls on the left. There are plenty of places you can safely get in the river. The old roadbed continues downhill as well, and its surface has also been graveled. All are accessed from the same parking area in Gorges State park even though the waterfalls themselves are in Pisgah. This will lead you to the next stop, Turtleback Falls. Enjoy a great view across to Mt. While there is a 3.5 mile round trip hike required to access Turtleback Falls, during the warm Carolina Summer months expect this destination to be a very popular spot. So stay away! A plastic privy is available, but there is no regular water source. Just over 1.5 miles from your trailhead, come to another signed side trail. Google map shows the trailhead location but not the trails. The best time to appreciate the mosses is late winter or early spring. While Turtleback Falls is inside the Pisgah National Forest, the trailhead to it begins at Gorges State Park. The trail is primarily used for hiking, and camping and is accessible year-round. Turtleback Falls, also called Umbrella Falls, is a waterfall in Western North Carolina, located near Brevard. Our tax identification number is EIN 91-0900134. Oct 29, 2016 - Turtleback Falls in Pisgah National Forest is accessed by a hike from Gorges State Park in North Carolina. But the slope soon steepens from gentle to moderate, and about a half-mile from the trailhead a signed side trail appears on the right. Once the river slides down Turtleback Falls into the collection pool it makes a hard right and races to Rainbow Falls. The wide trail begins just past the gate. Drift Falls Update: Hike another 1/2 mile upstream to reach the Drift Falls area with a few campsites along the river. I absolutely loved getting to slide down the waterfall at Turtleback Falls. ), Your route leaves the old road here and heads down the obvious foot trail that continues on toward Turtlehead Summit (once known locally as "Orcas Knob," a name that still appears on some maps.). Angela said: I am looking to hike the Rainbow Falls and Turtleback Falls. While you’ll probably want to linger for a while, you can also continue up the trail for around 10 more minutes to Turtleback Falls, a low waterfall over a curved rock that resembles a turtle shell. It was once a popular natural slide (also known as Bust Your Butt), but it's on private property. The eroded sections and the steep ascent coming to Rainbow Falls may challenge younger children. A number of islands are visible from here. It offers an optional break from the road, and leads 0.15 miles to the North Valley Overlook. Topozone map shows contours but not trails https://www.topozone.com/washington/san-juan-wa/island/orcas-island/. Again, there’s a lot to see and this helps keep their mind off how much their legs hurt. The way levels out briefly and passes a skunk cabbage bog before climbing some more. The trail climbs steeply as it winds up and around toward the top of Rainbow Falls. 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