Courthouse Falls
Encyclopedia
Courthouse Falls is a waterfall
in Western North Carolina
, located near Balsam Grove
.
near a mountain
called the Devil's Courthouse
. Courthouse Creek flows through a narrow chute into a natural amphitheater of bedrock.
and turn left onto Forest Road 140 (Courthouse Creek Road). Go 3 miles down the road and park on the right just after crossing the bridge over Courthouse Creek. Follow the marked trail for .36 miles to the falls, which will be on the left.
Upper Courthouse Falls is another waterfall further upstream on Courthouse Creek. The trail is overgrown and the falls are difficult to reach.
Other falls in the region include:
Waterfall
A waterfall is a place where flowing water rapidly drops in elevation as it flows over a steep region or a cliff.-Formation:Waterfalls are commonly formed when a river is young. At these times the channel is often narrow and deep. When the river courses over resistant bedrock, erosion happens...
in Western North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
, located near Balsam Grove
Balsam Grove, North Carolina
Balsam Grove is an unincorporated community located in Transylvania County, North Carolina within Pisgah National Forest and Nantahala National Forest.The Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute is located in Balsam Grove....
.
Geology
Courthouse Creek flows near in the Pisgah National ForestPisgah National Forest
Pisgah National Forest is a National Forest in the Appalachian Mountains of western North Carolina. It is administered by the United States Forest Service, part of the United States Department of Agriculture. The Pisgah National Forest is completely contained within the state of North Carolina...
near a mountain
Mountain
Image:Himalaya_annotated.jpg|thumb|right|The Himalayan mountain range with Mount Everestrect 58 14 160 49 Chomo Lonzorect 200 28 335 52 Makalurect 378 24 566 45 Mount Everestrect 188 581 920 656 Tibetan Plateaurect 250 406 340 427 Rong River...
called the Devil's Courthouse
Devil's Courthouse
Devil's Courthouse refers to two locations:* A great overhang of Whiteside Mountain in Jackson County, NC* A mountain in Transylvania County, NCThis article concerns the mountain in Transylvania County, NC....
. Courthouse Creek flows through a narrow chute into a natural amphitheater of bedrock.
Visiting the Falls
The falls are accessible to the general public on a trail of moderate difficulty. To reach the falls, either go down NC Highway 215 for 6.5 miles south from the Blue Ridge ParkwayBlue Ridge Parkway
The Blue Ridge Parkway is a National Parkway and All-American Road in the United States, noted for its scenic beauty. It runs for 469 miles , mostly along the famous Blue Ridge, a major mountain chain that is part of the Appalachian Mountains...
and turn left onto Forest Road 140 (Courthouse Creek Road). Go 3 miles down the road and park on the right just after crossing the bridge over Courthouse Creek. Follow the marked trail for .36 miles to the falls, which will be on the left.
Nearby Falls
About 1.4 miles from NC 215 on Forest Road 140, on the way to Courthouse Falls, is a 200' high waterfall on a side stream of the North Fork French Broad River.Upper Courthouse Falls is another waterfall further upstream on Courthouse Creek. The trail is overgrown and the falls are difficult to reach.
Other falls in the region include:
- Chestnut Falls
- Kiesee Falls
- Dill Falls
- French Broad and Mill Shoals Falls
- Bird Rock Falls
- Eastatoe FallsEastatoe FallsEastatoe Falls is a waterfall in Western North Carolina, United States, located on private property near Rosman.-Shoal Creek:Shoal Creek rises in the Pisgah National Forest between Nancy Mountain and Burnt Mountain near the Eastatoe Gap. The creek descends over 200 feet over a quarter mile,...