May 1 – Deep Creek Waterfalls

We headed out to the Deep Creek area of the park, near Bryson City, to do a 5 mile lollipop hike and see 3 waterfalls.

We were joined by a Mini car club.

We started off with the little side loop at the bottom of the map for a short 300 vertical foot climb up to Juney Whank Falls. The rest of the trail was mostly flat except at the top of the loop where we had to climb and then immediately go back down a 700 foot ridge to go from Indian Creek to Deep Creek.

The first climb got us warmed up on this somewhat cool morning.

We crossed the falls in the middle, over this bridge.

You lose a bit of the impact when you are this close.

Heading back down to the main trail.

The rest of the hike, except the ridge climb, was along a wide road beside Indian Creek going out and Deep Creek coming back.

Just a short way up the lollipop handle we came to Tom’s Branch Falls.

We always stop for trilliums.

Just after the start of the loop going counter clockwise was Indian Creek Falls.

The rest of the hike was a walk in the woods alongside the creeks.

Up over the ridge we go. The climb was pretty relentless, going up 700 feet in about 1/2 mile. Then we immediately went back down in another 1/2 mile.

The jackets quickly came off. The pictures always make it seem like we are walking on a flat path. Not!

At the very top we came across a group of Lady Slippers, which according to Jennie’s guide book only occur in a few places around here.

Gotta get down to get those close ups.

Back down at Deep Creek.

Since horses are allowed on this part of the trail, you know what all the butterflies were attracted to.

We got the the trailhead at about 10 am and we were back by 1 pm. We had lunch in the car before picking up some groceries at an IGA on the way home.

This was another place that the guide books said would be crazy busy. It was not. On the loop section we were mostly alone. I guess peak season has not started here yet.

The campground host had recommended a restaurant called Granny’s Kitchen which has a buffet that tonight featured trout. We went out a bit after 5 pm which in Toronto would be early but here it was prime time. The place was packed with locals. Let’s just say that it was not diet food. Groan.