August 2, 2022
Dry Falls & Ranger Falls Loop Trail
near Highlands, NC
We began our day with a visit to Dry Falls. The falls were impressive today with lots of water flowing over the falls from the Cullasaja River. We continued on to the Cliffside Lake Recreation Area. While a pleasant day for a hike, the trails show heavy use exposing lots of roots which in combination with today's wet trail, required care how and where we stepped. Both the Cliffside Lake Trail and Ranger Falls Loop Trail have good signage at their beginning, but there are no blazes along the trail or signs at several side trail intersections making it easy to take off in the wrong direction. Ranger Falls is a fairly narrow, 30-foot high cascade very close to the trail. We were expecting a bit more water flowing over it than we saw, but it is still worth the hike. We saw a few wildflowers and fungi today. However, a crawfish was found under a rock below Ranger Falls and a small snapping turtle on the side of the trail toward the end of the hike.
The route
4.0 mi · 709 ft climbing · 3h 17m out, 2h 41m walking · 1.5 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%
17 photos are shown on the map where they were taken — click one to see it full size.
Photos (21)
Ranger Falls on Skitty Creek Today's Hikers (L-R): Back-Mike, Elaine, Dick, Gerald, Huck, Grayson; Middle: Bob, Thor, Lynn, Heather; Front: Mike, Renee & Vic Getting ready to walk down to Dry Falls Dry Falls, always an impressive sight! Other views of Dry Falls. Trail scenes along the Cliffside Lake Trail. Cliffside Lake Nice reflections on Cliffside Lake One stump suggesting quite a large tree once stood here. Some of the fungi seen along the trail. Headed down a park road to the Ranger Falls Trailhead. Headed up to Ranger Falls. Another view of Ranger Falls. Taking a break a Ranger Falls. Scenes along Skitty Creek which feeds Ranger Falls. Huck checking out Ranger Falls. Thor and Heather partially hidden behind the sign. Not many wildflowers today. Apples on a tree on an old homestead, but not ready to eat yet! Crawfish found under a rock below Ranger Falls. Vic sighted this small (6" long) Snapping Turtle on the side of the trail. A final view of Cliffside Lake on our way back.