Lichen Falls

Directions to Trailhead: See the Panthertown Valley introduction for directions to the Cold Mountain Gap trailhead, on the east side.

Hike Description: Hike to Red Butt Falls, get in the river, and follow it downstream to Lichen Falls. Simple, eh? Well, yes and no. As river walks go, this one is pretty easy. But it’s a river walk, which means it starts out as difficult by default. As long as the water is not up, you should be able to make it without getting wet above the knees and without having to get out of the riverbed and crawl through rhododendron. If the water is up, don’t attempt this hike.
A short distance downstream from Red Butt Falls, Honeycamp Branch enters the Tuckasegee on river left. The next stream, also on river left, is the one with Lichen Falls. The waterfall drops directly into the Tuckasegee, but to see it well you’ll have to climb onto a ledge at the base of the falls. If you can handle the river walk, you’ll have no problem with the little climb.
You can also reach the falls by bushwhacking down from Devils Elbow Trail. Start from the point where it makes a sharp right turn around the ridge, as shown on the Guide’s Guide to Panthertown Valley map. Although the mountain is covered in rhododendron, you’ll find it surprisingly easy to make it down without doing any crawling. The problem is that it’s impossible to know if you’re heading in the right direction. You could easily end up on the river upstream or downstream from Lichen Falls and still have to do the river walk. A better option is to do the river walk to the falls and then bushwhack on the return. Don’t attempt it unless you’re comfortable with steep bushwhacking and know how to read a topo map. Most people will probably find the river walk much easier than the bushwhack.

Overview: See the Panthertown Valley introduction for general information about the area.
I have a confession. I ran out of time while working on the last edition and wasn’t able to hike to Lichen Falls. I didn’t give it a full listing, and I used information from other sources for my brief description. I said it was “not very scenic.” I guess you can tell by my new beauty rating that I blew it with that assessment. I’ve since become well acquainted with Lichen Falls and happen to think it’s among the more intriguing waterfalls in the region. And in case you’re wondering, I can promise I haven’t made the same mistake with any waterfalls in this edition.
Between Red Butt Falls and Lichen Falls, the Tuckasegee is relatively calm. But at Lichen Falls, it cascades among large boulders. You can climb onto a boulder on the river-right side for a view of the falls, but rocks and trees block part of it. For the best view, you’ll have to climb on the ledge at the base of the main portion of the falls. All the rocks around the falls are covered in various types of lichens. Old man’s beard lichen hangs from the (now dead) hemlocks. Presumably, this is how the waterfall got its name.

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

For more details, visit www.lnt.org
©1999 by the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics