Thursday, August 4, 2022

Rocky’s and Panthertown

July 9-11, 2022                                                                 Most Recent Posts:
Riverbend RV Campground             Road Closed So I Move On to Dill and Dupont
Lake Toxaway, NC                                           Living Waters on July 4th


Sunday July 9


PXL_20220709_190247968Today was grocery shopping day.  The closest town is Brevard at 17 miles away although it takes 30 minutes to get there on the best mountain roads in the area.

I had a late lunch at Rocky’s Grille and Soda Shop.  The food is fine but the atmosphere is fun.  And they make a GREAT chocolate Malt.

There is an old fashioned counter with the red chairs lining it and when I came in, every seat was taken.  There are booths along the opposite side.  Also red of course.  To match the great tile floor.

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After seeing the movie Elvis I felt a bit sad seeing the posters on the wall.


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Folks lined up at the ice cream counter overlooked by JFK and Marilyn among others.


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It was noisier inside than out and it’s a lovely day so I took up a spot on the metal table and chairs.  No AC necessary inside which is why I’m in the mountains of North Carolina.

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Monday July 11

I was the only one in the parking lot this morning at 8am at Panthertown, a place relatively nearby, but not known for well marked trails. 

20220711_080632Panthertown Valley is a 6700 acre piece of the Nantahala National Forest. Riverbend is located in Transylvania County NC which seems to be mostly National Forests of one name or another.  Panthertown, they say, is home to granite domes, waterfalls, valley floors, and rare high altitude bogs. The headwaters for Greenland and Panthertown Creeks and the East Fork of the Tuckasegee River are in Panthertown Valley. The area is a maze of trails going off in every direction.  I, of course, have come to find the waterfalls.






The valley was heavily logged in the 30's and suffered majors fires and erosion in the 60's, so there are almost no old growth trees left. Despite this and Duke Power running a major power lane through the area in the late 80's, Panthertown Valley has made a comeback and is now home to a wide variety of flora and fauna. 

At the beginning of my hike to Mac’s Falls, the trail went directly under this evidence of Duke Power.

In 1989, the land was purchased from Duke Power by the NC Chapter of the Nature Conservancy and added as part of the Nantahala National Forest.  Bless TNC for saving this and many other wonderful natural areas.  Wouldn’t it be wonderful if they could have done it before the logging of all the old growth.


The trails are rustic and minimally marked.  The creek crossings were difficult as the hiking was wet and muddy from yesterday’s rains.

How to get across is the question.

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I won’t go into the details but I was able to find Mac’s Falls which after water crossing difficulties required serious scrambling.

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Here’s the video for those like me who love hearing the falls.


As I continued on to Greenland Creek Falls, it continued to be  wet and muddy from yesterday’s rain.  The fungi were abundant.

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Sketchy trails and more creek crossings.


Yes that’s water at my feet. I’m wading.












Label it muddy with obstacles.

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Now which way???  No sign.

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Is there a trail beyond here?

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In spite of the uncertainty, mud, and general difficulty, I made it to Greenland Creek Falls.

Love the Rhododendron.  Wish I’d been here even earlier in the summer when it was covering everywhere.

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I’m posting two videos.  This first one unfortunately doesn’t show enough of the top of the falls.  But is great for the rest of it.  The second is a nearly 360 view of the area in front of the falls including, if you can see it, the trail I came in on at the end.  Look very carefully or you won’t see it at all, it’s that hidden.


The trip out was about the same in sketchiness.  Does this look like a trail to you?

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No way to hike around this mud.  The only way is through.  DO NOT come to Panthertown without good hiking boots and poles.  They say the forest service is going to upgrade the signage but given their funding, I would not hold my breath.


I’m glad I wasn’t going to a viewpoint as I climbed up and into the fog.

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I made it back to Ruby to find that many other folks were also willing to brave the mud and questionable trail signage.  Red Ruby is surrounded. Thank goodness I’d bought a map, such as it was,  put out by the Friends of Panthertown.   Otherwise, who knows where I’d be.

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And by the way, there are no Panthers in Panthertown any more unfortunately.

24 comments:

  1. So with that fork in the trail and if one lead to a chocolate malt and the other to JMC ice cream, which one would you choose? Or sorry you could not travel both? :cD

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    1. Oh JMC for sure if I could not travel both. :-)

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  2. I do love those diners with 50's vibe and red vinyl booths. Such fun, especially with a chocolate malt! Cool in summer? I thought even the North Carolina mountains got heat waves. Lucky you. Every time I see your posts about rain and green and waterfalls I am glad that you didn't get stranded out west somehow. You would wither and dry up in our hot dry summer climate. Amazing to see cool rain in summer. Unheard of in our part of the west at least. We almost always have a 60 to 90-day period without any rain.

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    1. You are definitely talking me out of a summer in the PNW. The news from every where out west is so discouraging.

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  3. Yum chocolate malt! Haven't had that in years. We don't have the best ice cream shops in Salinas.

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    1. It was delicious. Maybe your ice cream shop will make you one.

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  4. You are so spunky to go ahead and these poorly marked trails. I’d get so lost!

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    1. thanks for the compliment. Come on over and we'll hike together. Wish I knew who you were

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  5. Sitting here sweltering in California, some of your photos actually made me feel cooler!

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    1. SO great to hear from you Gypsy. Glad my post made you feel cool. So sorry, I HATE sweltering which is why I'm here.

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  6. I haven't had a "malt" in years. The vegetation framing over Mac's Falls is amazing. You are an inspiration when it comes to hiking to waterfalls.

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    1. Thanks Gaelyn. Our vegetations are about as different as any could be, you there in the monsoon desert and me in the Appalachian rain forest. But at least for now, we both have rain.

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  7. Chocolate malt sounds tasty! Would love to be in the mountains. It's very humid here! Power out currently so no AC. So much rain makes the waterfalls pretty. Mud and fog can definitely make it difficult to maneuver to the falls and back. Glad you made it!

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    1. you bet that malt was wonderful. Wish you were here in the mountains with me. Fly in to Ashville and I'll pick you up. :-)

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  8. Well, I'm impressed that you tackled Panthertown on your own! Because even with a map, that place is a maze, as you discovered. And the lack of signage makes it really difficult. We got lost there, too, after the flood last summer destroyed some of the trails. But we eventually found our way and loved it! I think Greenland Creek Falls is one of the most beautiful falls there. I'm so glad you did so much hiking during your time at Riverbend and found so many gorgeous waterfalls!

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    1. It's all thanks to you and your checking it all out first and recommending where to stay. Can't thank you enough. I actually, amazingly, did not get lost but it was sketchy at points for sure.

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  9. Greenland Creek Falls are nice- there are some seriously huge rocks! Love the little soda fountain place. Chocolate malt? My mouth is watering. What a cute place. Reminds me of when I used to go to McCrory's and GC Murphy's, sit at the counter and order a cherry, vanilla or chocolate phosphate. Right down the street was Coney Island hot dogs that were served with chili. Delicious back then-

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  10. Ah the memories of the good old days when things were delicious and inexpensive and we never put on any weight eating malts and hot dogs. Thanks for your faithful comments Pam.

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  11. This is timely. Carol and I are meeting friends at Lake Toxaway at the end of August. Looks beautiful. Never been to Lake Toxaway before but looking forward to visiting Rocky's Grille and Soda Shop while we're there. I'd love to see the falls but I'm not sure about the hike... Loved the video's Thanks for posting. I still remember using your posts as a tour guide for some of our travels in 2016. Looks like we'll get to do it again!!!

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    1. So glad I can help Roger. I appreciate your comments. Wish I was still going to be there when you arrive. Do go to Highlands if you are there long enough. If your friends are on the lake, there is a waterfall there

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  12. Enjoyed your falls pictures. We are at the beach with family, having so much fun.

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    1. Great to year from you Lynne. Family at the beach is about as good as it gets especially in the heat this summer.

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  13. As ever, the waterfalls look lovely. Out of curiosity I looked at the menu for Rocky's Grille and Soda Shop and oh my goodness, the ice cream sundaes! Its a good job I'm not there, I would never be able to choose!

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    1. Love that you looked at Rocky"s menu. Come on over and I'll treat you to a sundae!!

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