Sliding Rock & Mingo Falls, NC

 

 

Sliding Rock

What can we say about Sliding Rock? How about 60 feet of pure fun! I can remember doing this one when I was in college at Western Carolina University..and boy, was that some COLD water!
I decided on this video just because the music tickled me..hope you enjoy it
It’s much different now, as improvements have been done , and even restrooms and showers are available. Plus, beginning Memorial Day weekend, it is now staffed with a lifeguard…. Located about 7 miles from Brevard, it is part of the Pisgah National Forest.
Please note: there is now a charge for accessing Sliding Rock of $2.00 per person. Special restrictions apply for children.

Please see the following link for specific directions:

NC Waterfalls

For general directions from Brevard

 From Brevard, take US 64 E to US 276. Turn left and follow US 276N for 8 miles. Located on left

More general information via Wikipedia

 

Mingo Falls

 

Planning to visit Cherokee this summer?

‪Mingo Falls (Mingo means “Big Bear” in the Cherokee language) is a little more difficult to find, but this sheer drop is worth every effort.  The signage is tricky, though, so I would recommend checking this link from Play and Stay in the Smokies for exact directions.  It is located off of Big Cove Rd.   The waterfall is located on the Qualla Boundary, and is part of the Cherokee Indian Reservattion.

Mingo is one of the waterfalls where you will hear conflicting reports of the height, ranging from 175′ to up to 200′.  This variance in height may be due to there being a smaller part at the top of the falls actually out of sight from the viewing bridge.  I do want to warn folks about the steep steps that must be climbed, so please see below.  Please also note that the footpath is a little uneven…not bad, but might be an issue for those with balance problems.

Unfortunately, while on this trip to Mingo Falls, I managed to lose my collection of photos.  My husband, though, was a little more careful.  The following series of photos are taken by him.

 

Those steps!
Your admin has knee problems..not terribly so, but enough to make me cautious… as to what I commit to. When we first pulled into the parking lot for Mingo (located roughly maybe five miles from Cherokee), you can imagine my first thought when I saw an intimidating, endless looking set of steps, seeming to go into the stratosphere.

BUT! This was not at all difficult, if you have mobility problems with joints..the steps are steep, but by taking fifty at a time, and stopping for breaks, it was not nearly as bad as some others I have visited..it was just a matter of taking my time. The number of steps vary, according to source, and this may be that after the first main series, and a fairly short hike, you do have to climb another very short series to reach the bridge spanning the front of Mingo. For our purposes here, let’s just say about 160 steps.
The hike from the main set of steps to the base of the waterfalls is about 1/2 mile..it can be a rough trail, but not long in any sense of the word. And then you come to Mingo…and every step was worth it…