Upcoming Hike on Tuesday, May 13:
Rainbow Falls, Gorges State Park
On May 13, Holy Hikers will venture to Gorges State Park for the first time to explore a trail that travels along the Horsepasture River before reaching Rainbow Falls. This 3.4-mile trail is rated moderate (not easy). It will be one of our more challenging hikes, with an elevation gain of around 700 feet. Though the trail extends to Turtleback Falls, we will return to a quiet location for lunch and liturgy after exploring Rainbow Falls. This will allow us a nice break before we embark on the last mile+ of the trail, which is all uphill.
You may be familiar with the impact of the Great Flood of 1916 on Henderson County. That same flood breached the Lake Toxaway Dam, destroyed communities downstream, and caused a massive granite debris field. Duke Power bought the impacted land then sold it to the state in 1999 to allow for the creation of Gorges State Park. New trails are being designed every year, and they will be great venues for future Holy Hikes.
The park is part of a temperate rain forest and home to mosses that usually thrive in the tropics! That said, make sure to pack rain gear, use hiking poles and wear boots/shoes with good tread. Pack water and lunch or a snack. Dogs are allowed if leashed.
The trailhead address is Rainbow Falls and Turtleback Trailhead, Grassy Ridge Rd, Lake Toxaway, NC 28747. Plenty of parking is available. Please plan to meet at the trailhead at 10:00am. The trailhead is about 43 miles from St. John in the Wilderness. If you wish to convoy from the church, meet at the Parrish Hall parking lot no later than 8:40am. For directions from the church, see below.
Directions from St. John in the Wilderness
Head west on Rutledge Drive, towards Mud Creek Baptist and Erkwood Dr.
At the intersection by Mud Creek Baptist, turn left onto Erkwood Dr.
At the light, turn left onto Kanuga Rd. and continue straight on this road as it turns into Crab Creek Rd.
In 10 miles, turn left onto Everett Rd.
When you cannot go straight any further, turn left onto Old Hendersonville Hwy.
When you cannot go straight any further, turn left onto N Broad St.
In a little less than half a mile, take a slight right onto N Caldwell St (by the Food Lion).
In 1 mile, when you cannot go straight any further, turn right onto US-64 W.
Continue for 17.6 miles.
Turn left onto NC-281 (Whitewater Rd), just before Midgard Self Storage.
Continue for 0.9 mile, then turn left onto Grassy Ridge Rd.
Continue for 1.7 miles. Go past the Visitors' Center parking lot. The trailhead parking lot will be the next lot on the right.