High Shoals Falls

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**High Shoals Falls**
High Shoals Falls, April 2006
Location:	South Mountains State Park, Burke County, in the South Mountains of North Carolina
Type:	Plunge, Cascade
Total height:	80 ft., 25 m.
Number of drops:	1 with cascades at bottom
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High Shoals Falls is a waterfall in Burke County, North Carolina.

1 Geology
2 Natural history
3 Visiting the falls
4 Nearby falls

[edit] Geology

The waterfall is on the Jacob's Fork River, flowing over a large rock outcropping in the South Mountains of North Carolina. The river continues over a series of cascades for approximately 1/4 mile past the falls, where the stream loses approximately 300' in elevation.

[edit] Natural history

The falls is owned by the State of North Carolina, which owns and operates South Mountains State Park. The South Mountains, carved out of the Blue Ridge by erosion, are a broad belt of peaks and knobs rising abruptly from a deep valley. These steep, rugged mountains encompass 100,000 acres in Burke, Cleveland and Rutherford counties. Water winding through the park to the Catawba River cuts deep into the terrain, forming rugged and steep slopes.^[1] Funds to purchase the falls and park were appropriated in 1974.

[edit] Visiting the falls

The falls is located at South Mountains State Park in North Carolina. There are many trails through the state park, and the most popular is the High Shoals Falls Loop Trail. Visitors are encouraged to stay on the trail. Absolutely no swimming is permitted near the falls, as many deaths and injuries have occurred through the years, primarily to people who swim at the top of the falls.