› Looking Glass Falls
Among the district’ s famous natural landmarks is Looking Glass Falls, at 60 feet high and 30 feet wide. Steps and handrails will lead you to the base of the waterfall, which can be viewed from U. S. 276 in the forest.( It’ s located on the right roughly 5.6 miles from the forest entrance in Pisgah Forest. From the Blue Ridge Parkway, the waterfall is roughly 9.2 miles on the left.)
› Looking Glass Rock
With an elevation of 3,969 feet, Looking Glass Rock is a massive dome-like, granite out-cropping that provides spectacular views and is a regional destination for technical rock climbers.
The roughly 3.1-mile hike to the summit is moderate to strenuous( and lots of fun coming down!). From the forest entrance in Pisgah Forest, travel about 5.3 miles on U. S. 276 and then turn left at the sign for the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education Center. Look for the trailhead on the right less than half-a-mile from the turn.
› Sliding Rock
Each summer – though some brave souls do venture during colder periods – swimmers enjoy the excitement of Looking Glass Creek’ s natural water slide at Sliding Rock Recreation Area. The water slide is 60 feet long, with an 8-foot-deep water hole at the bottom.
This very popular site charges a daily fee of $ 5 per person and is open from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day, when lifeguards and other staff are on duty. From the forest entrance in Pisgah Forest, travel about 8 miles. Sliding Rock will be on your left.
› Andy Cove Nature Trail
The Andy Cove Nature Trail, which is designated as a National Recreation Trail, is located behind the Ranger Station / Visitor Center. The trail has a swinging bridge that excites both young and old. The Ranger Station / Visitor Center is located about 1 mile off U. S. 276 from the forest entrance in Pisgah Forest.
› The Pisgah Conservancy
The Pisgah Conservancy is a nonprofit partner of the USDA Forest Service that focuses on six main goals: Supporting more sustainable recreation as it pertain to trails; improving watershed quality; removing invasive species; getting rid of waste, litter and graffiti; improving wildlife habitat; and teaching people what is here and how to appreciate it in a more sustainable fashion.
For more information, go to pisgahconservancy. org.
VISITOR INFORMATION
– Flash floods –
Flash floods can occur with little or no warning. Many occur after dark, when it is difficult to assess the severity of the conditions. Visitors are urged to follow these precautions:
• When visiting a forest, always be alert for heavy rains and sudden changes in the weather, especially at night.
• Your safety is your own responsibility. Remember, city sirens don’ t exist out in nature.
• Camping and recreating along streams and rivers can be risky if thunderstorms are in the area. A creek only 6 inches deep can swell to a 10-foot-deep raging river in less than an hour if a thunderstorm lingers upstream or nearby.
• When water rises at a campsite or recreation area, climb to higher ground immediately. If traveling, do not drive across roads that are covered with water. Make safe choices. For more tips, visit www. fs. usda. gov / nfsnc.
– Be bear aware –
If bear-proof containers are not available, store food and garbage inside a hard-top vehicle or trailer at campsites and trailheads. Bear canisters are required in the Shining Rock Wilderness, Black Balsam, Sam’ s Knob and Flat Laurel Creek areas.
Bears by nature are opportunists. Food odors and improperly stored garbage will attract bears to campground and picnic sites. Although they are naturally afraid of humans, the animals lose this fear as they begin to associate human scents with the reward of food.
Protect yourself and protect the black bears by storing trash and food in safe locations when you visit a national forest. Make noise to avoid surprising a bear. Keep a clean campsite by properly disposing of food scraps and garbage.
Do not leave food or garbage inside fie rings, grills or around your site. Never leave food coolers unattended. Never store food inside a tent.
If necessary, attempt to scare the animal away with loud shouts, by banging pots together, or throwing rocks and sticks at it. Never run away from a bear – back away slowly and make lots of noise.
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