Waterfall 3 on Looking Glass Creek
!
This is one of three falls within a three-mile section of US 276 that many people drive by without having a clue that they just passed a scenic waterfall right beside the road. None of the three can be viewed well from the road, although you can see the upper section of this one fairly well from the pullout. The other two falls are Waterfall 1 on Looking Glass Creek and Waterfall 2 on Looking Glass Creek.
The lower section. (065W3-266050)
Driving Directions
Four pullouts, close together, are on the creek side of US 276 at the waterfall. The pullout farthest south (downstream) is 7.7 miles south of Blue Ridge Parkway and 7.5 miles north of the junction with NC 280/US 64. This pullout provides the best access to the base of the waterfall. The trailhead GPS is for this one.
The next pullout upstream is right at the top of the waterfall and provides easy views of the upper section. The next pullout above this one has a picnic table.
Hiking Directions
Quick Glance
You can walk along the road for marginal views of the waterfall and use the scramble paths to get closer.
Detailed Look
From the farthest pullout downstream, there is a scramble path that descends to the base of the lower drop. There is also a path that takes you to the top of this section and the base of the upper part. To see the upper part well, you must get out in the creek, which is not recommended.
| Accessibility: | Bank scramble |
| County: | Transylvania |
| River Basin: | French Broad |
| Watercourse: | Looking Glass Creek |
| Watershed: | Small/medium |
| Type and Height: | A long sliding cascade followed by a very steep 13-foot cascading drop, with a total drop of about 39 feet Height measured with rangefinder. |
| Landowner: | Pisgah NF, Pisgah RD |
| Beauty Rating: | 4 |
| Elevation: | 2600 feet |
| USGS Map: | Shining Rock |
| Hike Difficulty: | Difficult |
| Hike Distance: | A few hundred feet |
| Waterfall GPS: | 35.306375, -82.782797 |
| Trailhead GPS: | 35.306487, -82.782696 |
Photo Gallery
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Then & Now
Historical Gallery
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