THINK RAIN: Horsepasture

After the Chattooga we headed to Asheville. We stayed at the Bent Creek Lodge, a very nice bed and breakfast. We had only intended on staying for a night or two but we enjoyed the comfort of not camping so much we stayed for four nights. Great place, really quiet, great food.

After three days of boating and three lake paddles we were ready to take a break. So we decided to do some hiking. We drove to Looking Glass Falls and hiked to the base of Looking Glass Mountain. We also hiked part of the Horsepasture River. We were able to see Turtleback Falls, Rainbow Falls, and a few other rapids from the trail (well and a little off trail too). The river was not at a runable level but Turtleback Falls looked good to go. If the trail had been a little shorter we would have been more inclined for some park-n-huck. Turtleback is at an incredible spot. The river drops over the falls, hits a wall and makes perfect 90 degree turn. Rainbow Falls (a mandatory portage) lies just a bit farther. We hiked a little ways down and looked at some of the other rapids. Sieves and caves everywhere. We decided this was not the river for us.