09/23/06
North Shoal Creek Falls

Well, I knew that sooner or later I would find a nice waterfall in the extreme western portion of the state. I have Elizabeth F. Carter to thank for this one. She wrote a nice little guide for the Murphy region called The Scenic Circle, Outdoor Day Trip Destinations From Murphy, NC. The guide is a publication of Heritage Partners of Cherokee County. Contact them at www.heritagepartners.org. Although only about 30 feet high, North Shoal Creek Falls is a dandy, with a beauty rating of 6 or 7, and a photo rating even higher. It falls in a lush setting of thick rhododendron and large hemlock trees. On a windless, overcast, drizzly kind of day you’d have a tough time finding a better waterfall photo opportunity.

To get there from Murphy, take Joe Brown Highway (SR 1326) and continue about 20 miles to the intersection with Hiwassee Dam Access Road (SR 1314). Turn left and go less than 0.1 mile to Morrow Road (SR 1323), on the right. Turn onto Morrow Road and drive 1.6 miles to Prospect Road (SR 1324) on the left. Follow this dirt road 0.4 mile to where an old logging road starts on the right side of the road, in the outside bend of a sharp left curve. Park here and follow this old logging road a few yards to a gate. An obvious path goes to the right before you reach the gate. Follow this very steep path less than 0.1 mile to the falls. From the base of the falls a twisting path leads downstream a few hundred feet to Lake Apalachia.