Camping at Rainbow Falls, NC

Location: Rainbow Falls

Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina

Address: N Carolina 281 and Loop Rd, Hogback, NC

Date: September 2013

Weather: Amazing

Project: Camping 

     This was my first trip with a club on my university's campus called OAR that does mainly backpacking and climbing in the Southeast.

     We drove up to NC from Gainesville and got dinner in Atlanta. Gladys and Ron's Chicken and Waffles.

   We got to the parking lot at a ridiculous hour of the morning and needed the after hours gate code to get in. Our camp site was about 1/2 a mile from the parking lot and right next to a little stream that feeds the river leading from Rainbow Falls.

    There is a fork on the main trail that takes you to the national park if you go right and the state park if you go left. I recommend camping to the right because it is closer to the falls and the little stream acts as a natural beer coolant.

     Some friends of a kid on our trip got to the campsite first since they lived farther north and already had a fire going. That night/morning I learned that there are actually a few types of wood you don't want to burn. There are rhododendrons all around the place, but after reading into it,  it seems that the possibility of poisoning yourself with the smoke is very low. Still, I would avoid the use of this plant for fire/marshmallow sticks/ experimental plant ingesting. Actually I would discourage all experimental plant ingesting after my experience trying to cook a cactus ( I don't think I have to explain why this was a poor choice).

     The next morning we wake up at a gorgeous campsite on the river that is only a short hike from Rainbow Falls and spend the day napping and jumping into freezing-cold mountain water. Looking at the falls, there is a spot to the left where people who are good at climbing muddy/ root covered slopes can get up to a 20 ft ridge in a good position to jump into the pool at the base. It is very unsafe but very fun. Personally, I'd rather sun like a lizard on a nice, flat rock.                                                  Continuing up the trail and past Rainbow Falls, we encountered Turtleback Falls, which are totally awesome to slide on. Or so I have heard. I did not actually make it that far because I was sleeping on a rock. The next day we packed up and went to Lake Jocasse.