Panthertown Valley, NC Oct 2008

Here we are again. Back at Panthertown Valley and it seemed more beautiful than it was the first time we went. The fall colors were at their peek and the weather couldn't have been more perfect! This time our goal was to find as many waterfalls that we could. Last trip was a very short trip and we spent our time exploring around the base of Big Green Mountain, but this trip, we decided to take a long weekend so we'd have more time to explore as much as we could. Still have over half to check out, but we did see so much this time that I can walk away completely satisfied. Below is the trail map that's online on one of the websites we visit. It's not as detailed as the map you buy in Cashires, but just to get an idea of where things are, it helps. I ended up having to give my map to a couple of ladies who were wondering around aimlessly. You don't NEED a map to hike there, but there are sooo many trails that if you don't know where you're going, it helps.


Getting started. With it being in October, all the Leafers were out, so the parking lot was extremely full this time around, but we were able to find parking along the dirt road. This was Renee's and Matthew's first backpacking trip, so what better place to take them.



Renee and Kevin

Me and Marquardt. This was his off weekend after being on a navy ship for 6 months and we were happy he got to go with us! Well, it was kind of his idea too.




Big Green Mountain at the overlook... it was early and foggy, but the fog burned off after lunch and made for a great day.



The hiking trail to the campsite. There were MANY more campsites on this trip than we found the last time we came. I don't recall seeing ANYTHING last time, but the campsites are nice and cleared out with homemade fire rings at each one. The only problem we had was finding enough wood to keep the fire burning all weekend. The trails were also very well maintained, even the smaller trails going to the waterfalls. Those were a lot steeper, but they were marked with orange flags so you don't go too far off the path.

This site was sooo big. We had 5 tents but could have easily fit another 5 or 6 more comfortably.

Matthew hiding his food from the bears and raccoons.

First set of waterfalls for the day. Not sure the name of these, but they were less than 1/4 a mile from the campsite. If only the water was warmer. The falls made a perfect waterslide.

Kevin's shoes.... before the soles came off....hehehe... at least they were waterproof at the time. ; )

Looking up at the main part of the falls.

Looking back down at the little island at the bottom. It looked like someone had made that into a campsite as well.

The "tunnel" trail from the falls to the main trail. This was pretty cool! I could stand up straight to walk through there, but anyone too much taller than me, had to bend over.

One of 3 shelters on the whole site. The other 2 are closer to the other side at the Cold Mountain trail head. There's actually plenty of open space around the shelter that allows HUGE groups to camp around it.

We decided to get off the trail and climb around the base of Big Green Mtn. I guess the rock face is close to 200 to maybe 300' tall. A LOT of people come here to rock climb these rock faces, but we don't have rope long enough to climb them yet.

Kevin's shoes had all they could and decided to fall apart on him. He hiked from here on out barefooted earning him the Indian Name... Bear Paws. ; ) Don't worry, once we finished climbing these boulders, 1/2 of us went with him back to camp to get different shoes. Couldn't let him walk in his Jack Johnsons the whole time.

Steve found a Big Hole. ;)

Renee and Kevin blazing a trail from the base of the mountain back to the main trail.. briars and all.

I just couldn't get over the fall colors up there. It was PERFECT!

Team 1 (me, Megan, Renee, and Kevin) went back to camp to reshoe Kevin and then struck back out the meet up with Team 2 (Chris, Matthew, Steve, and Marquardt) at a set of falls. They wanted to continue hiking around the bottom of the mountain... meet up at Schoolhouse Falls with us and hike back.... well... WE went to Warden Falls (3 falls up stream from Schoolhouse) and then came back to camp..... they ended up at Schoolhouse, then somehow managed to hike THROUGH the creek to another set of falls...maybe... before they "misplaced" themselves and then figured their way back to camp. hehehehee! Funny! Above is the beach that Team 1 found on our way to Warden Falls.

Panthertown Valley is a bear sanctuary, so we were trying to find bear prints in the sand. Hard to tell from the dog prints though. We did see evidence of bear poop on the trails though.

Warden Falls

Wading and jumping over water around the falls to see where the trail goes from here. FUN! But we had to go back to camp before the sun went down.

I think I need shorter pants. I drug these all through stuff. OH well, at least they clean up well.

Getting the fire ready.

The next day back out at the beach.

THIS we decided was a bear print by the water.

Schoolhouse Falls

A set of falls on our way to Warden Falls from Schoolhouse Falls. Not sure the name of these, but there were really nice.

A great place to take a picnic break too.

The top of another set of falls. The trail actually crosses over the top of these falls and continues up the stream to the bottom of Warden Falls. This was another great place to sit and chill out for a bit.

Matthew and Chris at the bottom of the Warden Falls trail.

Kevin helping us across the creek so we don't get wet..... kind of worked. ; ) Renee ended up swimming a little further upstream. hehee!

Drying Renee's clothes... and Megan sunning herself. ; )


Matthew and Chris climbing up the side of Warden Falls to the top.

Hiking out the next day.



What a great trip! I think I'd like to go there for a few more days and then drive over to Dupond Forest for a few more days then search for more waterfalls in Brevard. That would be perfect!