Mingo Falls Trail (Blog Hike #222)

Trail: Mingo Falls Trail

Hike Location: Cherokee Reservation

Geographic Location: north of Cherokee, NC (35.53401, -83.27611)

Length: 0.5 mile

Difficulty: 4/10 (Easy/Moderate)

Date Hiked: May 2007

Overview: A short, steep hike to an impressive waterfall.

Waterfall Information: http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/waterfalls.htm
Hike Route Map: http://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=125164
Photo Highlight:

Directions to the trailhead: From Cherokee, take US 441 north to Big Cove Road on the edge of town; if you reach the Blue Ridge Parkway, you have gone too far.  Turn right on Big Cove Road.  After crossing the Oconoluftee River, you will reach a T-intersection.  Turn left to stay on Big Cove Road.  Take Big Cove Road 4 miles to Mingo Falls Campground and the signed parking area for Mingo Falls.

The hike: Though technically not in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Mingo Falls draws many park visitors, partly because it is more accessible than most of the park’s waterfalls.  Indeed, located only 0.2 miles from the parking area, almost anyone can reach Mingo Falls in spite of the fact that most of that 0.2 miles climbs up a 159 step staircase.  Most people that make the climb, including myself, say that the waterfall is worth the climb and encourage other people to make the climb themselves.

            From the parking area, the trail immediately begins climbing the wooden steps, which are actually logs placed into the ground.  A wooden railing on the right helps your ascent, as does the rushing sound of Mingo Creek downhill to your right.  This climb proceeds through a steep ravine choked with rhododendron and mountain laurel.

Stairs to Mingo Falls

            At the top of the steps, the trail flattens out and traverses a wet area using stepping stones.  After another 300 feet, you arrive at the base of 7 more steps that lead up to the wooden viewing platform.  At 150 feet in height and low enough in elevation to have ample water supply, some people think Mingo Falls is the best waterfall in the Smokies.  Be that the case or not, the water cascading down the rocks is pleasant to both the eyes and ears.  Photography conditions will be best on a cloudy day, as the canopy near the falls has enough holes in it to allow some sunlight to stream in on the falls.

Mingo Falls

            The trail ends at the waterfall.  After admiring the waterfall, you must retrace your steps back down the stairs to the parking lot to complete the hike.