High Falls Dam Release 2020
Venue: High Falls
Experienced paddlers from throughout the southeast turn out for the West Fork annual recreational releases. During the summer months, the Lake Glenville Dam releases whitewater into the west fork of the Tuckasegee River, creating class IV rapids over a 5.5-mile stretch. Release dates for 2020 are April 25-26, June 6, July 11, July 25, August 8 & 22 from 10 a.m -4 p.m. Access to the High Falls trail is directly across from the Lake Glenville sandy swim beach.
WARNING: High flows and the natural environment where such flows occur can create dangerous conditions in the bypassed reach. Duke Energy releases these flows solely to comply with its license requirements. Duke Energy neither encourages nor discourages recreational use of high flows by the public. Any recreational use by the public during high flows should be limited to experienced boaters.
High Falls Hike
From the upper trailhead (at Pine Creek), the hike begins at the gate on High Falls Trail. You’ll descend on the gravel road for just under 0.2 mile, then turn right on the obvious trail. The trail descends a little over 0.6 mile to the falls. It is well graded and easy to follow but is steep in places and has lots of steps.
From the lower trailhead, take the side road that forks to the right off Shoal Creek Mountain Road. It has an orange gate. You’ll cross Shoal Creek on an auto bridge at 0.1 mile and come to a fork at 0.2 mile. Go left and ascend gradually for 0.4 mile. The trail swings around a ridge, then descends gradually for over 1 mile to a side path on the right. The side path leads to a view of Rough Run Falls. From the side path, it’s another 0.3 mile to High Falls. When you get close to the falls, you’ll have to scramble along the rocks to reach the base.
PLEASE KNOW: Most of the lower trail is not on Duke Energy property. The landowners allow public access provided visitors follow these conditions: no four-wheelers or other motorized vehicles, no littering, no camping, no campfires of any kind, no fishing or hunting. In other words, conduct yourself as you would anytime you’re on another person’s property. Break these rules and access for everyone could be denied.
All Dates
- Saturday, August 22, 2020 10:00 AM
- Saturday, August 08, 2020 10:00 AM
- Saturday, July 25, 2020 10:00 AM
- Saturday, July 11, 2020 10:00 AM
- Saturday, June 06, 2020 10:00 AM
- Sunday, April 26, 2020 10:00 AM
- Saturday, April 25, 2020 10:00 AM