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Short and scenic hike to a 100 ft waterfall.
This is a really nice hike along Cove Creek that leads to a beautiful, 100 foot waterfall. While most of the trail is a relaxing stroll, the end of the hike provides a little adventure for those who feel up for it.
Starting from the parking lot, follow the main trail into the woods. Early in the hike, you'll come to a fork in the trail. Both directions lead to the same destination but left will take you through a forest canopy and right through an open meadow. My advice: take one on the way there, the other on the way back. Before you've walked a half mile the trail will lead right into Cove Creek, which you'll need to cross to continue. The water is typiclly 1-2 feet deep, so simply wading across creek is an option. Alternatively, if you feel confident in your balance and want to stay dry, there are a series of small boulders breaking the water's surfce that you can hop across.
Once across, continue for another half mile or so and look for an obvious side trail. This side trail will lead to the adventurous part of the hike. At the end of this side trail there is about a 25 foot rope rappel descent onto a ridge right above the falls. This section is muddy and tree rooted - be sure to know you abilities and limits before making this rappell. This section is also not recommended for dogs or young children, but the rest of the hike is.
If you're not so much of a risk taker, bypass that side trail and continue another few hundred yards to an alternative side trail. This will take you to a great vantage point - a large rock outcropping that sits 200 feet above the gorge floor and directly across from the falls.
Once you've had your fill of High Falls, follow the main trail back the way you came - except take the opposite fork that you took on the way up.
To find the trailhead from Asheville, get on I-26 East and head towards Saluda. Take exit 59, make a left on Holbert Cove Rd (SR 1142), drive about 3 miles and look for a parking lot on the wide shoulder on the left. If you cross the creek, you've gone too far.
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