DuPont State Forest

Some of you may be familiar with the recent controversy over land that is now a part of DuPont State Forest. This land includes Bridal Veil Falls, High Falls and Triple Falls, as well as Lake Julia. There are now over 55 miles of trails and more than 10,000 acres of beautiful land in DuPont Forest. The work of volunteers has been instrumental in the development of the trails. If you are interested in volunteering or finding out more, contact Friends of DuPont Forest. This Forest is only about 20 minutes from the campus. For much more information refer to http://www.dupontforest.com/. Below are several photos by Jeff Jennings from that website.

Bridal Veil Falls view from the bottom of the bottom falls on the left and the bottom of the top falls on the right. It is my understanding that area behind the falls on the right is the hiding place used in the film "The Last of the Mohicans".

Driving directions**: From the college, drive right on Broad Street for several miles until you get to the intersection with Rt. 64 East(near the Wal-Mart store). Turn right on U.S. 64 and travel 3.7 miles to the Texaco Station in Penrose. Turn right on Crab Creek Road and continue 4.3 miles and then turn right on DuPont Road. This road will turn into Staton Road. Two parking lots for DuPont Forest are located off this road. The first is on the right in 3.1 miles (just before you cross the Little River - it is the Hooker Falls parking area). The second is the main parking lot and is on the left about 1 mile further down the road (at Buck Forest Road). Park there. This is a large parking lot and enables you to visit several falls and Lake Julia

Hiking directions- from the second parking area (Buck Forest Parking area and Buck Forest Road) area you will be able to hike to High and Triple Falls  or go to Bridal Veil Falls and Lake Julia. At the end of the parking lot (past the blocked gate) walk along the well marked Buck Forest Trail (#9 on the DuPont Forest map - available at the Visitors Information Center in downtown Brevard) for about 0.6 miles until you come to the intersection with Conservation Road (#18 on the DuPont Forest map). Note: you will walk through the covered bridge above High Falls. When you get to Conservation Road, turn right and take it for almost 1 mile until you reach the intersection with Bridal Veil Trail (#6 on the map). Turn right onto Bridal Veil Trail. Go less than 1/2 mile to the end of the gravel road and continue down a narrower path to the lower of the two Bridal Veil Falls. Notice how the falls fan out like a veil. If you are adventuresome, you can (without too much difficulty) walk along the granite rock of this lower falls (on the left side of the water) and walk up to the upper of the 2 Bridal Veil Falls. Watch out, it can be slippery and in the shadows, and the shallow water can stay frozen for quite awhile. Walk up the left side of the falls until you get to the upper falls, then continue until you actually walk in behind the water coming over the falls. It is a rather small area, but you can get in behind the water, sit on the rocks and actually reach out and touch the roaring water coming over the falls (be careful!!!).

Then head back down the rock and back along Bridal Veil Trail to return in reverse fashion the way you came (did you notice the nice barn?), or follow these directions to see Lake Julia.

To get to Lake Julia from the intersection of Bridal Veil Falls Trail and Conservation Road, turn right onto Conservation Road and continue for about 0.2 miles until you come to the intersection with Lake Julia Road. Turn left onto Lake Julia Road and continue about 0.5 miles to the lake. It is such a beautiful and quite place.  There are some buildings under repair near the lake (I do NOT recommend you go in them) and a nice dock. I even saw some big fish from the shore.

Return the way you came in (Lake Julia Road, right on Conservation Road, left on Buck Forest Road). You’ll notice there are miles and miles of trails and roads through the forest. As you get to know the area better, you may discover that there are many ways to access the same area (and other parking areas), and many beautiful sites to see (Reasonover Trail, Big Rock Trail, Cedar Rock Trail, Corn Mill Shoals Road, etc. etc.). Always leave no trace and try and make the area a better place because of your presence.

• *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 Visitors Center)

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