CourtHouse Falls (and Dill Falls)

Driving directions**: From the college, drive left on Broad Street until you get to the heart of Brevard. Get on Hwy. 64N (toward Rosman) and continue for about 10 miles until you get to the intersection with NC Route 215 (at headwaters Outfitters). Turn right onto 215N and drive 10.4 miles to Forest Route 140. Turn right onto F.R. 140 and follow it for 3 miles to a small bridge that crosses a creek. Pull-off on the right just past the bridge. Look for the sign for Summey Cove trail near the creek. You'll follow that trail to begin.

Hiking directions - The hike is a relatively short one to the falls (less than .4 miles). Get on Summey Cove trail near where you parked (there will be a trail sign for Summey Cove). Continue downstream along the flat trail along the creek for 0.25 miles. You will then hear (and possibly see) the falls off to your left. Don't take the first unmarked steep path down (it is not really a path). Continue another 100 feet and you'll see a sign for CourtHouse Falls - Take that left, going down the steep hill to the bottom of the falls. It will just be a short way down to the falls. The water falls about 50 feet (with a beauty rating by Kevin Adams of 6 on a 10-point scale). There is a beautiful pool at the base of the falls. It looks perfect for a swim, if the water isn't too cold (50 to 60 degrees most likely). The headwaters of this creek arise from the 5,462-foot summit of Devil's Courthouse (Blue Ridge Parkway). After relaxing and enjoying the falls, head back up the hill to Summey Cove trail. Take it to the right to head back to your car OR head left for a longer hike. I went left and hiked Summey Cove Trail for about 30 minutes before turning around to head back. I am not sure how far it goes, but the path got overgrown, so I turned around and retraced my steps.  To return to Brevard, go back on F.R. 140 to the intersection with 215 and take it left (south) to 64 south, where you turn left to return to Brevard.

Dill Falls - this falls is also near here, so you might want to see both falls on the same day. From your parking spot for Courthouse Falls, turn around and go back on F.R. 140 to the intersection with 215 - and take it right (or north) for 3.7 more miles till you see F.R. 4663. It is said to look like a driveway between 2 old houses. Turn left. Drive 1.9 miles and turn left onto F.R. 4663B, which deadends at the trailhead in 0.5 miles. During wet weather you may find 4663B too rough and may need to walk the .5 miles. Hike the center logging road (behind the "closed to vehicles sign") and cross Tanasee Creek a few feet downstream from the falls. I didn't go see this falls, but Kevin Adams rates the beauty rating at 6, with a distance of 0.2 miles, and a difficulty of 5 (on a 10-point scale).
There is a nice web page at http://www.main.nc.us/naturenotebook/hikesindex.html  where there are more descriptions of hikes and thing having to do with nature.  Zen gave me permission to reprint the photo below.

 

Courthouse falls - photo by Zen

• *As always, when hiking you should always:
• Hike with someone
• Let others know where you are going and when you expect to return
• Wear appropriate footwear and clothing (carry rain gear)
• Carry water (and snacks)
• Have a map of the area (available downtown at the Forest Place or at Dolly’s ice cream shop (at the corner of 64, 276 and 280, near Wal-Mart)

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