Schoolhouse Falls - Member Hike

Hike Name: Schoolhouse Falls
Country: United States
State: North Carolina
Nearby Town: Cashiers
Rating: 4 stars
Directions: PARKING: (Cold Mountain Gap) - From Cashiers at US 64 stoplight, head east for 13 miles to NC 281 north. (Make sure not to take NC 281 south which you will hit first.) Take NC 281 north toward Lake Toxaway and continue 0.8 miles to Cold Mountain Road (SR 1301). Turn left onto Cold Mountain Road (SR 1301) and continue 5.8 miles to a sharp left turn at Canaan Land (private property). Follow the turn 0.1 mile, then turn right 0.1 miles to the parking area for Panthertown Valley. The National Forest Service has signs that direct you to the lot.
Total Hike Distance: 2.60 miles
Hike Difficulty: Moderate
Permit Required: No
Hike Type: In & Out, Backtrack Hike
Hike Starts/Ends: Cold Mt. Trailhead
Trails Used: Cooridor Trail
Backcountry Campsites: Yes
Backcountry Water Sources: Streams
Management: Other
Contact Information: Nantahala National Forest
Highlands Ranger District
2010 Flat Mountain Rd,
Highlands, N.C. 28741
(828) 526-3765
Best Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
Users: Hikers, Bikers, Dogs, Horses
Road Conditions: Primary Paved Roads, Secondary Paved Roads
Hike Summary: The National Forest Service acquired Panthertown Valley in 1989 from Duke Power in a deal coordinated by the Nature Conservancy. Surprisingly, the area is still relatively wild with no blazes on the trails and only a few primitive campsites. However there are an amazing number of waterfalls that are packed into a relatively small area and they many have pools at their base which make for a great place to swim or fish. Just make sure you take a map and compass on your hike. There are many intersecting trails in the area and route finding can be difficult.

This backtrack hike takes you to Schoolhouse Falls about 1.3 miles from the trailhead. The two-story waterfall is formed by Greenland Creek, the headwaters of the Tuckasegee River. Schoolhouse Falls - true to it's name - actually falls and shoots over a rock outcrop in Greenland Creek. This is unique since most waterfalls slide or cascade down a rock face. For a close-up view, a narrow trail leads behind the waterfall where you can stand behind the feature and view the beach area to the north. These falls are frequented by numerous day hikers from Lake Towaway which borders Panthertown to the Southeast. So don't expect a lot of solitude here, but the falls are a great destination - particularly for those hikers looking for a short excursion for the family.

Hiker:

Pixie


5,900 points


Recommended


Trip Reports

  Date Rating Duration Hiker
Schoolhouse Falls - August 8, 2020 August 8, 2020 5 stars 2 hours BirdShooter
Schoolhouse Falls - November 19, 2011 November 19, 2011 4 stars 2 hours Pixie

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