Douglas Falls (Lower Approach) Hike

Douglas Falls (Lower Approach)

At A Glance

TODO: #32 Boilerplate

1 mi round-trip

Difficulty Rating: 1.59
Climb: Climbs Gently
Tread Condition: Moderately Rough
Highest Elevation: 4440 ft
Climb Total: 240 ft
Configuration: Out-and-back
Starting Point: Parking area at the end of FR 74
Trails Used: TODO dynamic list Douglas Falls

Start by taking the Douglas Falls trail at the back of the parking lot, which may be signed (if it is not vandalized, like all trail signs you encounter have the potential to be). The very popular trail is well-used, short, and slopes gently downhill all the way to the falls. From that perspective, it is easy.

However, the trail's surface condition has varied greatly over the last few years. From the mid 90's to the mid 2000's, it was in decent shape. Then, the trail got some needed repair work. Improvements were made in some of the rougher spots, making it in excellent condition. It stayed that way for a year or two. But over the next couple of years, fierce storms took their toll on this trail.

Some sections of the trail started having drainage problems, making it muddier and wetter than it should be. Several big trees fell onto the trail, making difficult climb-arounds necessary. The trail was in poor condition for a while before many of these problems were fixed, and it was in good shape again.

Recently, a fallen tree took out a section of the trail with it. But for this one location -where the hiker is forced to traverse a wet, sloped rock area which is downright treacherous - the trail is still in good shape.

All this is to say, trail conditions can vary greatly, and rapidly here. For this reason, and with all the dead hemlocks about to start falling on the trail, I've upped the difficulty of this hike to "moderate". It had originally been "easy".

The forest near the beginning of the trail was once logged, but has recovered nicely. Medium-sized oaks, maples, beeches and hickories make up this mixed hardwood forest. This area is prone to wind; hike here in the winter on a windy day and the trees will be swaying and howling as the air rushes through. It's a good idea to beware of loose or broken timber above you (called "widow makers") on days such as that. Most times, however, the hike is pleasant with the faint sound of a stream rushing far in the valley below.

About 2/3 of the way to the falls, the trail gets a bit wetter as several seeps cross the trail from the hillside above. Well-placed stepping stones help you get through some of them with dry feet. And in times past, you also noticed a sudden and dramatic change in the forest at this 2/3 point, as it became dominated by tall, dark hemlock trees looming over whatever understory could survive in this "deep, dark forest". That's what my parents would call it (with an air of doom and drama in their voices), hiking here when I was growing up to get a rise out of us kids. But it was actually pretty true, and even the little ones would have noticed it.

Unfortunately, the hemlocks are mostly dead now, thanks to the rapid progression of the devastating Hemlock Woolly Adelgid infestation in this forest:

As of July 2006, the hemlocks at Douglas Falls had been infested with the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid for a couple of seasons, but they were looking remarkably healthy and putting on plenty of new growth in the area around and above the falls. This could have coincided with a predator beetle release in the area that was used to fight the adelgids. That was to be the last sign of new growth, though - a worsening infestation combined with the record-breaking, excruciating drought of 2007 thru early 2009 did them in.
As of June 2009, virtually no new growth was occurring, even on the smaller trees, and most of the largest trees were completely dead. A few young ones still looked pretty green, but whatever treatments (including beetle releases) the forest service had done in this area were clearly an epic failure.
As of July 2013, there were very few signs of life in any hemlocks along the entire trail. Strangely, however, there was at least one small hemlock (a Carolina Hemlock) near the parking area that showed no signs of infestation at all and was growing vigorously.
As of 2017, the larger hemlocks are falling down, yet a few small ones miraculously cling to life. It appears the Carolina hemlocks are less affected by Hemlock Wooly Adelgid, so maybe they stand a chance.

Loss of the hemlocks is letting in a lot more light than ever before along the trail, and in all likelihood - once the hemlocks have fallen and decayed - the trail will eventually have a more homogeneous character from beginning to end, besides getting wetter near the falls. At that 2/3 point, you enter a virgin forest - one that has never been logged - albeit one vastly different from its ancient self due to the loss of the hemlocks. Still, some of the deciduous trees here are enormous as well.

You'll see the falls shortly after entering the zone of dead hemlocks. Luckily, perhaps, the area directly around the falls had already lost most of its hemlocks due to wind and old age in the 80's and 90's. One such log has been laying in the pool at the base of the falls getting pounded by the falling water for at least 20 years. So once you arrive at the falls, the impact will be much less obvious.

Enjoy exploring around the base of the falls. You can even easily and relatively safely walk behind the falls if you don't mind getting dripped on a bit. But be careful on the slippery rocks which lie all around the base! There is no safe way to get to the top of the falls.

Just before arriving at the falls, the trail veers left, uphill. It winds up in the cove far above the top of Douglas Falls, and eventually ends up at the Craggy Gardens Visitor Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The trail crosses one other waterfall, Cascades Falls, on the way. However, that is a long, strenuous hike through a proposed wilderness area, and the trail is sometimes difficult to follow. If you're looking for a bigger adventure, some people do choose to visit Douglas Falls by hiking down from the Craggy Gardens area.

When you're finished soaking up the scenery and/or soaking your feet in the cold, clear water, return to your vehicle on the same path.