The most wonderful time of the year is almost on us, fall and winter.

Well, you may not agree, but for me it’s my favorite time to get outdoors. And thankfully we live in a great part of the world we can enjoy nature without travelling a great distance.

WNC has been bountifully blessed with waterfalls. I have guessed 400-600, but one area waterfall expert feels it may be over 1,000! I’ve got a long way to go to visit all of them, but it’s not a race, so just enjoy each of them as they are unique.

Not far up the road is Pisgah Forest. It has miles and miles of hiking trails, trout streams and forests. It is home to some well-known falls, like Looking Glass Falls, but also houses many lesser known ones, that surprisingly are easy to access.

One fall my family enjoyed hiking to is Moore’s Cove Falls. It’s just a short drive up 276 past Looking Glass Falls. The parking and trailhead is on the right just before you cross the first bridge past Looking Glass Falls. The trail is a moderate hike, about three quarters of a mile the best I remember. The trail is wide and the creek crossings have nice bridges. The freefalling fall is a rather low flow, but the fall has a majestic feel, especially when you stand under or behind the fall.

There is a second fall, very near and very similar, but is mostly unknown and unmarked. It is one of my favorites.

I’ll let you seek out the second fall, it can be rewarding when you find something on your own. Don’t forget your camera, and spend a little time just sitting and taking in what the fall has to offer.

There is a well-known naturalist who summed up being in God’s creation this way; “In every walk with Nature, one receives far more than he seeks”.

Well said, Mr. Muir, well said.

–Article submitted by Rob McComas