Drift Falls
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| Location | Horsepasture River, Nantahala National Forest, Blue Ridge Mountains, Transylvania County, North Carolina |
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| Coordinates | |
| Type | Slide, Fan |
| Total height | 80 ft (24 m) |
Drift Falls, also known as Bust-Yer-Butt Falls and Driftwood Falls, is a waterfall located in the Nantahala National Forest in Transylvania County, North Carolina.
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[edit] History
Drift Falls flows on the Horsepasture River in the Jocassee Gorge. The falls is an 80-ft. slide over bedrock to a deep pool, and is a part of a series of waterfalls along a 1,200-ft drop along the course of the river over a 2.5 mile stretch. In the past, large numbers of visitors to the falls would cause traffic problems along North Carolina Highway 281 as they gathered at the falls to swim in the pool. Thrill seekers would use the falls as a natural waterslide, which is how the falls got its nickname of "Bust-Yer-Butt Falls". However, recent developments have lessened access to the falls, as it is now privately owned and actively patrolled for trespassers[1]
[edit] Visiting the Falls
The falls is no longer directly accessible, and the property owner will prosecute anyone caught near the falls, as the falls are potentially dangerous.
Anyone who wishes to view the falls may do so without trespassing by going south on NC 281 from U. S. Highway 64 for .9 miles and park in the Gorges State Park parking lot (the park does not allow overnight parking). Walk out of the parking lot back to Highway 281 and walk less than 100 yards south to an old gated dirt road on the left (there's a sign warning visitors that this is an emergency-access road). The road starts on State Park property and then turns into National Forest property.
When you come to the T-intersection, turn right (left will take you to the other falls on the river) and follow the trail .15 miles to the split-rail fence which marks the private-property line. There is a scramble path to the river that does not cross the fence. Follow that path and then go up the rocks at the edge of the pool to view the falls. Do not go into the pool, as the property line goes through it, and the owner will prosecute trespassers. There are a large number of "no trespassing signs" to remind visitors that they are close to private property.
[edit] Nearby Falls
- Little Falls - located on private property upstream from Drift Falls
- Narrows Falls - located in a gated community upstream from Drift Falls
- Rock House Falls - 55-ft falls located on private property on Burlingame Creek, a tributary of the Horsepasture River
- Turtleback Falls
- Rainbow Falls
- Stairway Falls
- Sidepocket Falls
- Windy Falls
[edit] References
- ^ Kevin Adams, North Carolina Waterfalls, p. 356
