North CarolinaNC Waterfalls

DEW Falls is not big, but it’s in a scenic setting and is easy to reach. It’s definitely worth taking a 30-minute detour from the bigger falls in the area.

The small, somewhat open area at the trailhead just beyond the gate used to be a nice campsite, complete with tent pad and picnic table. I camped there many nights while working on the second edition of North Carolina Waterfalls. Unfortunately, as is too often the case across the mountains, boneheads repeatedly vandalized the site, forcing the Forest Service to gate it permanently.²²⁵

Mill Creek is Thompson River’s largest tributary. It’s odd that it isn’t named on the USGS topo map (it is designated on Gaia). It’s not a big creek, but it’s bigger than many other streams that are named. I have a copy of an old deed map that calls it Gumbottom Creek. I’ve also heard locals use that name.