Beginner Backpacking In Panthertown Valley w/ 7+ Waterfalls

Come and find out why Panthertown Valley (http://www.panthertown.org) is referred to as the Yosemite of the East.  This backpacking event is great for anyone that is new to backpacking.  While experienced backpackers are welcomed this is a D3.  That said please be comfortable hiking 8-10 miles a day with some a few hills.  If you are allergic to water, please do not sign up. 

The carpool will FRIDAY.  For anyone that likes to arrive fashionably late, you will only find a desolate parking lot.  It is about a 2.5 hour drive to Cashiers NC and the west parking lot.  En route to the camp we will stop in Cashiers NC for dinners before making our way to Panthertown Valley.  Right off the parking lot there are spaces to camp where we will call it a night. 

Saturday morning we will wake up at a reasonable hour and get on the trail by 9am-ish.  We will then hike and visit Wilderness Falls, Frolictown Falls, Granny Burrell Falls, Greenland Creek Falls, Mac's Falls & Schoolhouse Falls before making our way to the campsite for Saturday Night.  If you were counting that is 6 waterfalls over ~8 miles.  We will have breaks at each waterfall to take in the scenery and rest for ~15 minutes.

Sunday we will wake up again at a reasonable hour and get on the trail by 9am-ish.  We will see Riding Ford Falls bringing the total to 7.  We will need to ford a river that has ~18" deep.  We will proceed to climb out of the valley witha a great view from the Overlook before returning to the cars.  On the way back home we will make a lunch stop in Clayton.

Panthertown Valley has a maze of trails.  The trails are well maintained with abundant natural beauty.  

I85 North => I985 / US23 North ~95 miles

Turn RIGHT onto State Hwy 106 for ~15 miles (This road is just before you reach NC)

Turn Right onto US 64 E for ~12 miles.

Past Cashiers Turn LEFT on Cedar Creek Rd

Turn Right on Breedlove Rd

When the Pavement Turns to Gravel, you are almost there.  IF you go too far there is a cliff.  

The coordinates are 35.168293 (Latitude) & -83.039846 (Longitude).  If you plan to drive and meet us there or lead a carpool, please be familiar with the route.  Cell phone coverage is spotty near Cashiers.