Bearwallow Falls - Member Hike

Hike Name:	Bearwallow Falls
Country:	United States
State:	North Carolina
Nearby Town:	Sapphire
Rating:
Directions:	Gorges State Park is in Transylvania county joining the NC/SC state line. http://ils.unc.edu/parkproject/visit/gorg/gorgdir.pdf
Total Hike Distance:	3.20 miles
Hike Difficulty:	Moderate to Difficult
Permit Required:	No
Hike Type:	In & Out, Backtrack Hike
Hike Starts/Ends:	Grassy Ridge Access
Trails Used:	Buckberry Ridge, Bearwallow Falls
Backcountry Campsites:	Yes
Backcountry Water Sources:	Streams, Rivers, Lakes
Management:	State Park Service
Contact Information:	The interim park office is located at the Sapphire post office on US 64 east of NC 281 South. www.ncsparks.net
Best Season:	Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
Users:	Hikers, Dogs
Road Conditions:	Maintained Gravel or Dirt Roads
Hike Summary:	Our first hike at this newly discovered state park. We were not disappointed. The trails are in fine shape & not crowded whatsoever. The park rates the Bearwallow Falls Trail at strenuous but we felt a rating of moderate to strenuous was more fitting. A couple coming back up from the Falls with their children told us not to go down because we'd NEVER get back up toting a 35 lb. 4 year old on our back. We thanked them & continued on. We both agree that this hike is a lot less difficult than even Raven Cliff Falls which we've hiked four times in the past couple of years. I would say that for inexperienced hikers or those in less shape, it may be a bit difficult. We made the out & back hike in a little more than an hour & a half. That's with letting our 4 year old hike the first mile down & stopping to put her in the backpack. Of course we also sat & enjoyed the beautiful waterfall. There are port-a-potties at the trail head but I found them to not be kept up very well. They really needed emptying. Yuck! Oh well! When ya gotta go, ya gotta go!