High Falls is a 180-foot tiered waterfall on Beech Creek in Clay County, North Carolina, deep in the Southern Nantahala Wilderness. Beech Creek fans out across a broad face of dark, grooved rock in dozens of thin streaks, and the only way in is a demanding trail that starts from the Georgia side.
The falls
The World Waterfall Database, working from lidar data, puts the total at about 180 feet in two drops, with an upper fall of about 165 feet; earlier surveys listed 140 feet. Other accounts give 100 feet, or an upper drop of at least 70 feet over a lower one of around 30. The upper tier measures probably over 40 feet wide, with water spreading into shimmering white tendrils against black stone in a narrow valley.
Getting there
The trailhead can only be reached through Georgia. From Clayton, follow US 76 west 8.0 miles, turn right on Persimmon Road for 4.2 miles, then left on Tallulah River Road through Tate City for 7.7 miles to a circular parking area at the southern Beech Creek Trailhead, back across the North Carolina line. The hike on the Beech Creek Trail (#378) is 5.2 miles round trip with about 1,800 feet of gain, rated difficult for its climbing and creek crossings: two of Beech Creek and one of Bull Cove Creek. Blazes are faded in places. At about 2.8 miles a 0.15-mile side path leaves the main trail at a sharp switchback and drops steeply to the falls. No fee is charged.
When to go
This is a small-volume stream, and drought reduces the falls markedly. Spring brings wildflowers along the approach, and spring is recommended for the hike, with cloudy days ideal for photographs.
On site
The final spur to the base is slippery and steep, with a sharp drop-off on the right of the scramble path. The Beech Creek crossings can be wet at winter and spring flows, and icy rocks or high water can limit how close hikers get to the falls.
History and name
High Falls is an unofficial name.
Nearby
Bull Cove Falls, on the same trail system, is about 1.2 miles away. Big Laurel Falls is about 1.3 miles away, Wateroak Falls about 1.9 miles, and Denton Creek Falls across the Georgia line about 2.1 miles.
Distances are straight-line.