American Byways

Following up from the last update regarding Husky Branch Falls at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, is a five-in-one waterfall special!

The first visit is to Mingo Falls, which is technically outside of the boundaries of the national park, but as it resides very close to the boundary, and presents one of the highest drops in the area, it is well worth hiking to. Lying within the Qualla Indian Reservation in Cherokee, Mingo Falls includes a cascading 150-foot high drop. At this point in the journey, the rain was coming down in a nice steady downpour, which made the 1/4-mile hike – which includes around 150 steps to the overlook – soggy.

Mingo Falls

After the visit to Mingo Falls, I wondered down to Asheville, North Carolina for the night at the wonderful Sweet Peas Hostel. The hostel, which is not only cheap, comfortable and clean, was located within walking distance of the Lexington Avenue Brewery and other attractions. Upon waking the next morning, I checked the weather forecast and figured that cloudy skies, a good chance of rain and low temperatures would result in some fantastic waterfall photography. So I headed west.

Located east of Cherokee, Soco Falls is a double waterfall located within the Cherokee Nation. The trail is 1/2-miles downhill to an observation platform, which provides good coverage southwest of the waterfall. A more crude trail continues further down, but it is not maintained nor sanctioned – and parts of it include a haphazard hand-hold, but it offers a closer and more personal view. On my visit, the waterfalls were shrouded in dense fog,

Soco Falls

But the fog did not last long. By the time I approached Bryson City to explore the Deep Creek valley, the sun was shining and the temperatures were rising into the upper 60s. Oh well, let’s get out and enjoy the good fortune of ideal hiking weather!

What was special about this hike is that the Deep Creek Valley is not only the base for many extended backpacking adventures – as the Deep Creek Trail is a main north-south feeder into the Great Smoky Mountains, but a base for many great day hikes. Combined into one loop trail, my Deep Creek Falls Loop is a 2.5-mile easy hike that provides access to Juney Whank Falls, Indian Creek Falls and Tom Branch Falls. The loop trail began at the wayfinder for Juney Whank Falls, and the first .1 mile of the walk was nothing more than a climb to the Deep Creek Horse Trail.

But I soon came upon Juney Whank Falls, a 125-foot cascade with a good 80-foot drop. The waterfall was named for Cherokee chief, Junaluska Whank who lived in the area. Junaluska was called by friends as Juney, and is rumored to have been buried near the waterfall.

Juney Whank Falls

It wasn’t much of a difficult hike to the next waterfall. The Deep Creek Horse Trail involves an easy grade to the top of a hill before descending towards Hammer Branch. Soon after crossing a small stream, the trail ends at Deep Creek Trail. Bear right onto the wide trail and turn left onto Indian Creek Trail, which is an earshot of Indian Creek Falls. Indian Creek Falls contains a 45-foot run and a 25-foot drop, and is nestled amongst rhododendron, making for a picturesque fall.

Indian Creek Falls

Heading back to the Deep Creek Trail, I proceeded southward, passing by Tom Branch Falls – which provides a nice 80-foot cascade down into Deep Creek. According to Waterfalls of the Smokies, Tom Branch was most likely named for Tom Wiggins, a Civil War Veteran who lived along the creek during the latter 1800s.

Tom Branch Falls

Trail information for the above waterfalls, along with trailhead location, can be found at the companion article Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Stay tuned for Fontana in the next update!