Blue Ridge Parkway

Blue Ridge Parkway 2

Cashiers Lake

Cullasaja Falls

Cullasaja Falls 2

Graveyard Fields Autumn

Graveyard Fields Autumn 2

Graveyard Fields Autumn 3

Graveyard Fields Autumn 4

Graveyard Fields Bridge

Graveyard Fields Second Falls

Graveyard Fields, Top of Second Falls

Iron Bridge, Chatooga River

Iron Bridge, Chatooga River 2

Iron-Bridge Falls View

Iron Bridge Falls View 2

Iron Bridge Falls

Rainbow Falls

Rainbow Falls 2

Rainbow Falls From Above

Silver Run Falls

Toxaway Falls

Toxaway Falls 2

Toxaway River Trail

Toxaway River Trail 2

Toxaway River Trail 3

Turtleback Falls

Whitewater Falls

Whitewater Falls 2

Whitewater Falls 3

Whitewater Falls 4

Outstanding scenery and recreational opportunities make the Blue Ridge Parkway one of the most popular units of the National Park System.

This Image was taken in October 2007.

"America's Favorite Drive" winds its way 469 miles through mountain meadows and past seemingly endless vistas. Split-rail fences, old farmsteads and historic structures complement spectacular views of distant mountains and neighboring valleys.

This Image was taken in October 2007.

In a great corner of southwestern North Carolina, a green valley 3,500 feet high surrounded by mountains rising up to 5,000 feet.

Part of the southern crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

This Image was taken in October 2007.

The lower portion of Cullasaja Falls is a cascade of water which flows about 250 feet down. It is located on the Cullasaja River at the lower part of the Cullasaja Gorge. It is part of the Mountain Water Scenic Byway.

This Image was taken in October 2007.

Graveyard Fields, a short drive from Brevard, North Carolina, off the Blue Ridge Parkway, is one of the most popular hiking areas in the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area.

The Yellowstone Prong of the Pigeon River flows through this high, flat mountain valley, with three stunning waterfalls along its way.

This Image was taken in October 2007.

Anyone visiting Graveyard Fields and seeing its open-faced natural beauty might wonder why it is called by such a funereal name. The sign on Graveyard Fields explains one theory, that many years ago a tremendous windstorm uprooted the spruce forest, leaving behind stumps that gave the area the appearance of a graveyard.

This Image was taken in October 2007.

Another speculation is that it was the logging in the early 20^{th century that left tree stumps resembling gravestones.}

^{This Image was taken in October 2007.}

The Graveyard Fields experienced catastrophic fires, once in 1925 and again in the early 1940s. These fires swept through the area, destroying the stumps and scorching the soil enough to render it sterile, changing the face of the once dense evergreen forest forever.

This Image was taken in October 2007.

Today, few signs of this fiery heritage are visible, a testament to nature's ability to heal itself and to create beauty from devastation. Pink and purple blooming mountain laurel and rhododendron now thrive throughout Graveyard Fields, as well as many wildflowers, such as bluets, galax, and a number of asters and honeysuckles. In summer and fall, hikers can enjoy blackberries, gooseberries, and blueberries through out Graveyard Fields. The berries also attract a variety of wildlife, including a large number of white-tailed deer.

This Image was taken in October 2007.

This is a highly popular hiking area right on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

This Image was taken in October 2007.

The one-lane iron bridge on Bull Pen Road spans the Chattoooga River above a powerful 10-15 foot cascade.

This Image was taken in October 2007.

The falls can be easily viewed at the bridge, or you can take a short trail just past the west side of the bridge to the top of the cascade.

This Image was taken in October 2007.

At the bottom of the cascade, the powerful Chattooga has carved deep swirlholes in the rock. Over thousands of years, small pebbles and grains of sand were swirled around by the water to create these holes.

This Image was taken in October 2007.

Several hiking trails are in the area, including a new loop trail that follows the river upstream. Plus, this is a popular spot for fly fishing.

This Image was taken in October 2007.

Directions: From Highlands, head east on Main Street (SR 1603). This road will turn into Horse Cove Road. Follow for 5 miles to where it forks. Whiteside Cove Road bears left. Take the right fork (Bull Pen Road) for 3 miles to the iron bridge.

From Cashiers, follow Hwy. 107 south for 6 miles and turn right onto Bull Pen Road. Look for the tractor trailers and warehouse on the left to verify you're turning on the correct road. If you cross into South Carolina, you've gone too far. Follow Bull Pen Road west for 5 miles to the iron bridge. Park on the west side of the bridge or at the top of the hill.

This Image was taken in October 2007.

The Horsepasture River is a good spot around which to build a waterfall tour.

This Image was taken in October 2007.

To get to the main trailhead to the river from Lake Toxaway, take Hwy 64 west then take 281 south. About 1/2 a mile down on the left you will see a parking area for Gorges State Park near the trailhead for the Horsepasture River. You can no longer park along 281. Park in the lot, walk back out to the road, turn left on the trail next to the road, then take the gravel road back into the woods to the left. The lot is gated and the hours of access are available on the Gorges State Park website.

This Image was taken in October 2007.

Silver Run Falls spills 30 feet into a pool of water.

The falls are located off NC 107, 4.1 miles south of Cashiers. Park in the pull-off on the left.

This Image was taken in October 2007.

As you travle along US 64 between Highlands and Brevard, you look for this 150-foot waterslide below the bridge in Lake Toxaway.

This Image was taken in October 2007.

There best vantage point from which to view the entire falls is from The Tavern by the Falls restaurant parking lot: 9 Toxaway Falls Drive, Lake Toxaway, North Carolina 28747.

Please visit the restaurant and say hello to my friends, Mark and Cindy Hooper. Tell them Jeffrey Brian sent you.

Check website for more information: http://www.tavernbythefalls.com

This Image was taken in October 2007.

The Toxaway River is usually first seen from highway 64.

This Image was taken in October 2007.

The Toxaway River is usually first seen from highway 64.

This Image was taken in October 2007.

The Toxaway River is usually first seen from highway 64.

This Image was taken in October 2007.

Part of Gorges State Park. First waterfall before Rainbow Falls.

To get to the main trailhead to the river from Lake Toxaway, take Hwy 64 west then take 281 south. About 1/2 a mile down on the left you will see a parking area for Gorges State Park near the trailhead for the Horsepasture River. You can no longer park along 281. Park in the lot, walk back out to the road, turn left on the trail next to the road, then take the gravel road back into the woods to the left. The lot is gated and the hours of access are available on the Gorges State Park website.

This Image was taken in October 2007.

Upper Whitewater Falls is the highest waterfall east of the Rockies. The falls plunge an amazing 411 feet! South Carolina's Lower Whitewater Falls drops another 400 feet.

This Image was taken in October 2007.

Because of the escarpment's difficult access and rugged terrain, much of the area receives few visitors and has remained wild and undeveloped over the years. In the cool, moist shade of steep slopes and rock cliffs, wildflowers and salamanders abound.

This Image was taken in October 2007.

This wild land is also a perfect haven for a rich array of ferns, mosses, and fungi. Enjoy the beauty of berries and blooms throughout the seasons.

From Asheville: Take 240-West to I26-West. Go to the Asheville Airport/Brevard Exit (exit 9) and take a right onto U.S. 64. Drive to Brevard and follow directions below:

From Brevard: Drive west on U.S. 64. At Sapphire, turn left on NC 281 and go south to the Whitewater Falls entrance.