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Stone Mountain Falls: Stone Mt State Park
Stone Mountain Falls Photo Copyright © 2006 G. Kiser
Stone Mountain State Park is located in Roaring Gap, NC and is home to four waterfalls. This park is not too difficult to find thanks to signs from the major roads. Detailed directions can be found at their web site. For those coming from Hwy 421, you would want to exit onto I-77 North to Elkin. After you pass Elkin, you need to branch off to the left onto US 21. The next turn will be a left onto Traphill Rd (SR 1002), followed by a right onto John P. Frank Parkway. The Parkway will take you into the park.
Once to the park gate, you will follow the main road to the first parking area to the left. There will be a marked trail that winds its way along a small stream and through a field. Of interesting note, there are often deer along this field. They don't seem to be too apprehensive about people, but they sure don't like the sound of a camera bag opening. Anyway, you continue along the trail until you come to a split. On the right will be the Stone Mountain Loop Trail, a strenuous hike, but with a wonderful view of the summit. To the left you will find a trail leading to the falls. After a short distance you will come upon several warning signs advising of the dangers of the rocks, and that there have been deaths in the past from accidents. Do be careful, as the rock floor is not the best surface to walk on.
You have made it to the top of Stone Mountain Falls. You can see the water pouring down the rocky slope and then disapearing below. This is only the beginning, to really see the falls for what they are, you must climb down around 300 steep steps along the side of the water slide. According to Kevin Adams in his book North Carolina Waterfalls, A hiking and photography guide, the steps were built over several months at a cost of $100,000. After climbing up and down these steps, I think the smarter decision would have been to put in an escalator, or elevator for a fewdollars more. These steps are a necessary evil as they provide a safe passage from top to bottom of the falls.
Stone Mountain Falls, is classified as a water slide, because the water just flows down a very steep slope. Towards the bottom, there is some diversions to its path which add a little interest, but for the most part this is a very plain waterfall. It is also very difficult to get a full shot of the location because you are shooting up into the sky. As I quickly discovered the trip down the steps was not a wasted trip by any stretch. As in most of the locations I shoot, there is usually something else in the area that is oftentimes overlooked.
Rocky Seat Photo Copyright © 2006 G. Kiser
Just a short distance down the trail past Stone Mountain Falls you will find a stream that is fed by the falls. This is a very active stream with lots of rocks in the path of the water creating white water effects. Access to the stream is very simple and for the most part, you are walking right along side of it while on the trail.
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You have GOT to go to Colorado at some point and time and photograph some of the falls there. I think Hanging Lake would be a good place to go. The water is a real pretty color there as you will see in some of these online photos.
http://www.imagesofcolorado.com/hanginglake.html
All My Best,
Susan -
Hi Greg! Me again... Stone Mountain State Park has been our #1 favorite place to visit over the years ever since we first met (1974). We were visiting the park before it had paved roads... it was a bit wilder in those days. But it still has all the great views you wrote of here... you can do some serious muscle burning hiking up the sides of the falls... it was a bit easier when we were first married. Thanks for bringing back the fond memories. Bea
http://journals.aol.com/bgilmore725/Wanderer/ -
Greg beautiful pictures as usual... Helen
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I love the Rocky Seat one, the foliage softens the effect of the water and rocks. Another wonderful shot! Jeannette.
8/4/08 1:19 PM
Connie
08-04-08