Beginner Backpacking In Panthertown Valley w/ 10 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 along with those with more experience who are welcome to join (keep in mind this is a D3). You need to comfortable hiking 8-10 miles a day with some a few hills. If you are allergic to water, please do not sign up since there are several water crossings (normally ankle to knee depth depending on weather).

The carpool will leave SATURDAY MORNING AT 6:30 AM. For anyone that likes to arrive fashionably late, you will only find a fashionably desolate parking lot. It is about a 2.5 hour drive to Cashiers NC and the west parking lot. Upon arrival we will hike to Wilderness Falls, Frolictown Falls & Granny Burrell Falls.  Then we will break for lunch at the shelter & hike to an overlook.  Finally we resume the waterfalls with a hike to Greenland Creek Falls, Mac's Falls & Pothole Falls.  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 a few minutes.

Sunday we will wake up again at a reasonable hour and get on the trail by 9am. We will see Schoolhouse Falls, Riding Ford Falls, Jawbone Falls & Warden's Falls before proceeding to climb out of the valley for another great view before returning to the cars. On the way back home we will make a late lunch stop in Clayton.

If you were counting that 10 waterfalls.  Panthertown Valley has a maze of trails so we WILL be collecting the group at every intersection.

A few important things to remember before signing up:
- Saturday will be a pretty easy hike with a couple of mild climbs.  Being a VALLEY we will be hiking down to the bottom. and then across to the east parking lot. There are (several) water crossings and few spots on the trail that can be a little challenging navigating over wet rocks by the water.
- Sunday requires us to hike out of the VALLEY. There are sections that is very strenuous (you will know when we get to them).
- Dogs are permitted. Aggressive dogs (and backpackers) are not acceptable. If you hate the smell of wet dog, you may want to find another hike since odds are there will be wet dog.

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.  

There are bears in the Panthertown Valley.  We will hang a bear bag.  You do not need to outrun the bear, you just need to outrun the slowest person in the group.