Carlton Falls

Hike Description: Hike to Greenland Creek Falls and look for the path climbing the bank beside the falls on river right. Make sure you have both hands free, and take a deep breath before you start the ridiculously steep climb. You’ll come to a boulder on the right where a faint path turns to the right behind the boulder. Stay left here on the main “trail.” You’ll soon finish the climb, then descend back to the creek. The path comes out a few yards above the brink of Greenland Creek Falls. A small, scenic cascade lies upstream. Be careful if you get out in the creek here. The rocks are slippery.
The path follows the creek upstream from the top of Greenland Creek Falls. It’s sometimes close to the creek, sometimes several yards away, but always twisting and winding. About 225 yards from the brink of Greenland Creek Falls, you’ll pass close to the creek at a scenic section of long slides and cascades that end in a large pool. In another 325 yards, a 10-foot spur path leads to the creek below a small, scenic waterfall above a long pool. This little falls is named Halfway Falls on the Guide’s Guide to Panthertown map. You’ll want to spend time here.
Continuing on the trail, it’s another 0.42 mile to Carlton Falls. You can’t see the upper portion well from the base, but if you look around, you’ll find a path leading up the river-right side to the middle of the falls. Be careful there!
Some people have accessed the falls by a shorter and supposedly easier route from farther up Cold Mountain Road. Despite the obvious sign to the contrary, the national-forest property line extends to the center of the road in this stretch. You’d be on firm legal ground hiking and even driving the road, but I wouldn’t leave my vehicle parked beside it. And good luck finding the path. As best I could determine, the path is so overgrown in places that hiking it is no better than bushwhacking. It’s possible I wasn’t looking in the right place. At any rate, the best way to the falls I know of is by the route described.

Overview: See the Panthertown Valley introduction for general information about the area.
I’m breaking format here by choosing a relatively recent name for a waterfall. In this case, I think it’s justified. Carlton Falls was, of course, named after Carlton McNeill, whom I discussed in the Panthertown Valley introduction. I can’t think of a more fitting tribute to the man who so loved and cared for this valley. Everyone who hikes to Carlton Falls should have him in their mind the entire way. Carlton blazed this trail, and it’s one of his classics.
An interesting aspect of this waterfall is that the surrounding vegetation includes rosebay rhododendron, Catawba rhododendron, punctatum (the third species of evergreen rhododendron in our mountains), and mountain laurel. Some of these species have dissimilar habitat requirements, so it’s unusual to find them together. Some Carolina hemlock trees also grow near the falls and as of late 2013 appeared to be doing well, though I saw many other hemlocks on the hike that had succumbed to the balsam wooly adelgid. I didn’t recheck the fortunate trees on my most recent visit in late 2015.

Trails and Waterfalls can be dangerous; take no chances, only photos for memories. Read our Safety and Insider tips to have a safe, fun and enjoyable trip to Jackson County.

Leave No Trace — Seven Principles

1. Plan Ahead and Prepare
2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
3. Dispose of Waste Properly
4. Leave What You Find
5. Minimize Campfire Impacts
6. Respect Wildlife
7. Be Considerate of Other Visitors

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