music and motion

A stream is music and motion: smooth glides, fast, turbulent riffles and deep pools, each posing a special challenge. 
--Nelson Bryan, author. 

A small waterfall and cascade found below 'Upper Creek Falls' in Burke County, NC.  Directions and more photos here. 

Upper Creek Falls

Upper Creek Falls in Burke County, NC is deserving of a more exciting name. It's made up of a series of falls and cascades, with the largest one listed as 50 feet. I'm not sure the picture above does it justice. Don't let the name fool you, this is a very exciting place! From the parking area, you have a choice of trails labeled "upper" and "lower" falls. It doesn't really matter which way you go, as the trail makes a 1.5 mile loop. We started out taking the upper trail -- which brought us out on top of the main falls. In order to get to the base, you have to hop across the creek. The entire area was very slippery -- so use caution and common sense -- Take your time crossing the creek and stay back from the edge of the falls! You'll cross the creek again down below in order to return back to the parking area via the lower falls trail.

I was surprised to see the rhododendron blooming already! In case you're wondering, there weren't blooms yet along the nearby section of the Blue Ridge Parkway or in the Grandfather Mountain, Linn Cove Viaduct area. Below is a photo of the cascades above the main waterfall. Directions: Upper Creek Falls is easy to get to from the Blue Ridge Parkway. At mile 312.5, exit the BRP and get on Highway 181 South and drive for 6 miles. Look for a brown sign and gravel road on the left.