January 5, 2023
Grassy Knob Loop and Whitewater Falls
south of Cashiers, NC
This was a great day for hiking with mild January temperatures and sunny skies. This trail is a combination of the Foothills Trail and Round Mountain Gap Trail ending with an unnamed trail paralleling the Whitewater River to the east. It has numerous views to the south of the Bad Creek Reservoir and Lake Jocassee. The trail is in generally good condition beginning with a long gentle climb of 2 miles up Grassy Knob. We then turned northeast and hiked downhill on the north side of Grassy Knob toward the trail which parallels Whitewater River. That latter trail is mostly along an old roadbed with numerous views of Whitewater Falls which improved as we hiked southward toward the overlook. Overall this was an easy to moderately difficult hike best taken in the winter when the views through the trees are available.
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The route
5.3 mi · 971 ft climbing · 3h 45m out, 2h 53m walking · 1.8 mph moving
Elevation
Hover over the profile to see the elevation and steepness. Your position will be shown on the map.
- Steepness
- Gentle under 5%
- Moderate 5–10%
- Steep 10–15%
- Very steep over 15%
15 photos are shown on the map where they were taken — click one to see it full size.
Photos (15)
A great view to the south from Grassy Knob Today's hikers (L-R): jJane with trail dog, Squirt, Rich, Jack, Jenny, Mike, Tina, Ray, Trushna & John . Headed up Grassy Knob with a low sun behind us. Ray crossing one of the many drainage swales crossing the trail. Not too many blowdowns, but this seemed recent. Hmm? Don't know what to make of this sandel hanging in the tree by the trail. Just a brief stop at one of a couple of overlooks with benches. Traildog "Squirt" was friendly company on this hike! Rich and Ray headed up the Foothills Trail on the southern section of this hike. Interesting white fungus. Our lady hikers making their way through some low branches as we approached the trail along the Whitewater River. Some of the partial views of Whitewater Falls as we hiked southward along the Whitewater River. The shear rock wall created above the Whitewater River when the roadbed was constructed. Fascinating how these Rhododendron can sprout and grow with the slightest soil in the rock wall! Whitewater Falls had a lot of water flowing over it from the recent rains. One of the more beautiful falls in this region.