09/26/08
NC 281 Grassy Ridge access

The Grassy Ridge parking area for Gorges State Park is currently closed for construction of the new facilities, so you cannot access the Horsepasture River waterfalls from there (Drift Falls, Turtleback Falls, Rainbow Falls, and Stairstep Falls/Staircase Falls). As far as I know, there is nowhere close for the public to park. I heard that the nearby church allows parking and has set up a donation box, but I haven't verified this. If they do allow parking at the church, I'm sure they won't allow it on Sundays. It looks like we're out of luck until the park reopens the access. According to the park website, it's supposed to reopen in fall of 2008, but we know how that goes sometimes. Best bet is to keep checking the Gorges State Park website for the current status.

Remember that the waterfalls on Horsepasture River are located in Nantahala National Forest, not Gorges State Park. The state park has been gracious in allowing people to use their parking area, knowing that most of them are heading for the river. If you have any complaints about access to Horsepasture River, they should not be directed at Gorges State Park.