Looking Glass Falls

Looking Glass Falls is a waterfall in Western North Carolina, located near Brevard.

Looking Glass Falls
View of Looking Glass Falls from the creekbed, March 2012
LocationPisgah National Forest, Transylvania county, NC, North Carolina
Coordinates35.296338°N 82.768399°W / 35.296338; -82.768399
TypePlunge
Total height60 ft (18.3 m)
Number of drops1

Natural history

The name comes from nearby Looking Glass Rock, which resembles a wintertime mirror (or "looking glass") of sunlight, as water freezes on its sides and reflects the sun, and from the name of the stream from which the falls plunge, Looking Glass Creek.

Geology

The waterway is Looking Glass Creek, which flows through the Pisgah National Forest.[1]

Wintertime view of Looking Glass Falls

Visiting the Falls

The falls are open to the public and are accessible on the side of U.S. Highway 276, approximately 5.6 miles north of the intersection of 276, U.S. Highway 64, and NC Highway 280 in Pisgah Forest, North Carolina. The falls are just under 70' tall from top to bottom, with the main falls at 60'. It is an extremely popular waterfall, due to ease of access to the falls directly on the side of the road. There is a path that leads to the plunge pool. During the winter when the falls freeze solid, they are popular Ice Climbing destination.[2]

Looking Glass Falls in Autumn

According to local Emergency Services personnel, there have been many injuries and deaths at the falls, mainly due to individuals who rock climb near the edge of the falls and accidentally fall in the plunge pool, or persons who jump in the plunge pool. In 1990, South African kayaker Corran Addison kayaked over the falls successfully, but injured his back in the process.[3] Persons who visit Looking Glass Falls should take care to respect both basic safety rules and the fragile environment that exist at the falls.

Nearby Falls

References
  1. Barrett, Mark (September 20, 2018). "NCDOT picks plan to ease visits to busy section of Pisgah National Forest". Asheville Citizen-Times. Retrieved January 24, 2019.
  2. Delap, Karsten (February 24, 2015). "Karsten Delap shares tale of ice climbing on Looking Glass Falls". Mountain Xpress. Retrieved January 24, 2019.
  3. Neal, Dale (August 23, 2015). "S.C. man dies in 400-foot fall from Looking Glass Rock". Asheville Citizen-Times. Retrieved January 24, 2019.
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