Drift Falls
Encyclopedia
Drift Falls, also known as Bust-Yer-Butt Falls and Driftwood Falls, is a waterfall
located in the Pisgah National Forest
in Transylvania County, North Carolina
.
in the Jocassee Gorge. The falls is an 80-ft. slide over bedrock to a deep pool, and is a part of a series of waterfalls along a 1,200-ft drop along the course of the river over a 2.5 mile stretch. In the past, large numbers of visitors to the falls would cause traffic problems along North Carolina Highway 281
as they gathered at the falls to swim in the pool. Thrill seekers would use the falls as a natural waterslide, which is how the falls got its nickname of "Bust-Yer-Butt Falls". However, recent developments have lessened access to the falls, as it is now privately owned and actively patrolled for trespassers.
Anyone who wishes to view the falls may do so without trespassing by hiking in from the nearby Gorges State Park
. Take NC 281
south from U. S. Highway 64
for .9 miles and turn left into Gorges State Park. Follow the main park road and park in the Grassy Ridge trailhead parking lot. The park does allow overnight parking, but keep in mind that the gate will be locked and you must register your vehicle using the forms at the trailhead. Follow the main trail, which passes onto Pisgah National Forest property and winds down to the Horesepasture River, then upstream past Rainbow Falls after 1.5 miles.
Continue upstream past Rainbow Falls and Turtleback Falls. Bear left at the intersection with the old trail leading uphill, which leads back to NC 281 and used to be the main route until it was closed. The trail continues following the river, crosses a couple of small branches, and ends after .15 miles at a split-rail fence which marks the private-property line. There is a scramble path to the river that does not cross the fence.
Follow that path down to a rocky area in the river with a view of the falls. Several sources describe the property line as crossing the river within the plunge pool of the falls, meaning you could get a great view of the falls from the downstream edge of the pool. However, extrapolating the alignment of the fences and other "no trespassing" signs set into the rock across the river indicates that the property line actually crosses a short distance downstream of the rocks at the edge of the plunge pool and across the upstream tip of a small island in the middle of the river. You can climb up on some rocks and stumps downstream of the line for a fair view of the falls. Do not step over the line and attempt to reach the edge of the pool, as the property owner will prosecute trespassers. There are a large number of "no trespassing signs" to remind visitors that they are close to private property.
Waterfall
A waterfall is a place where flowing water rapidly drops in elevation as it flows over a steep region or a cliff.-Formation:Waterfalls are commonly formed when a river is young. At these times the channel is often narrow and deep. When the river courses over resistant bedrock, erosion happens...
located in the Pisgah National Forest
Pisgah National Forest
Pisgah National Forest is a National Forest in the Appalachian Mountains of western North Carolina. It is administered by the United States Forest Service, part of the United States Department of Agriculture. The Pisgah National Forest is completely contained within the state of North Carolina...
in Transylvania County, North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
.
History
Drift Falls flows on the Horsepasture RiverHorsepasture River
The Horsepasture River is an National Wild and Scenic river in the U.S. states of North Carolina and South Carolina. The river rises in Jackson County, North Carolina, and flows through the Jocassee Gorges area and ends at Lake Jocassee in South Carolina...
in the Jocassee Gorge. The falls is an 80-ft. slide over bedrock to a deep pool, and is a part of a series of waterfalls along a 1,200-ft drop along the course of the river over a 2.5 mile stretch. In the past, large numbers of visitors to the falls would cause traffic problems along North Carolina Highway 281
North Carolina Highway 281
North Carolina Highway 281 is a primary state highway in the state of North Carolina. The highway runs north–south, connecting communities in western Jackson County and scenic areas of southwest Transylvania County...
as they gathered at the falls to swim in the pool. Thrill seekers would use the falls as a natural waterslide, which is how the falls got its nickname of "Bust-Yer-Butt Falls". However, recent developments have lessened access to the falls, as it is now privately owned and actively patrolled for trespassers.
Visiting the Falls
The falls is no longer directly accessible, and the property owner will prosecute anyone caught near the falls, as the falls are potentially dangerous.Anyone who wishes to view the falls may do so without trespassing by hiking in from the nearby Gorges State Park
Gorges State Park
Gorges State Park is a North Carolina state park in Transylvania County, North Carolina in the United States. The land, along Jocassee Gorges, was purchased by the state from Duke Energy Corporation in 1999. It is North Carolina's westernmost state park and one of the state's newest. The park is...
. Take NC 281
North Carolina Highway 281
North Carolina Highway 281 is a primary state highway in the state of North Carolina. The highway runs north–south, connecting communities in western Jackson County and scenic areas of southwest Transylvania County...
south from U. S. Highway 64
U.S. Route 64
U.S. Route 64 is an east–west United States highway that runs for 2,326 miles from eastern North Carolina to just southwest of the Four Corners in northeast Arizona. The western terminus is at U.S. Route 160 in Teec Nos Pos, Arizona. The highway's eastern terminus is at NC 12 and U.S. Route...
for .9 miles and turn left into Gorges State Park. Follow the main park road and park in the Grassy Ridge trailhead parking lot. The park does allow overnight parking, but keep in mind that the gate will be locked and you must register your vehicle using the forms at the trailhead. Follow the main trail, which passes onto Pisgah National Forest property and winds down to the Horesepasture River, then upstream past Rainbow Falls after 1.5 miles.
Continue upstream past Rainbow Falls and Turtleback Falls. Bear left at the intersection with the old trail leading uphill, which leads back to NC 281 and used to be the main route until it was closed. The trail continues following the river, crosses a couple of small branches, and ends after .15 miles at a split-rail fence which marks the private-property line. There is a scramble path to the river that does not cross the fence.
Follow that path down to a rocky area in the river with a view of the falls. Several sources describe the property line as crossing the river within the plunge pool of the falls, meaning you could get a great view of the falls from the downstream edge of the pool. However, extrapolating the alignment of the fences and other "no trespassing" signs set into the rock across the river indicates that the property line actually crosses a short distance downstream of the rocks at the edge of the plunge pool and across the upstream tip of a small island in the middle of the river. You can climb up on some rocks and stumps downstream of the line for a fair view of the falls. Do not step over the line and attempt to reach the edge of the pool, as the property owner will prosecute trespassers. There are a large number of "no trespassing signs" to remind visitors that they are close to private property.
Nearby Falls
- Little Falls — located on private property upstream from Drift Falls
- Narrows Falls — located in a gated community upstream from Drift Falls
- Rock House Falls — 55-ft falls located on private property on Burlingame Creek, a tributary of the Horsepasture River
- Turtleback FallsTurtleback FallsTurtleback Falls, also called Umbrella Falls, is a waterfall in Western North Carolina, located near Brevard. The falls is located on the Horsepasture River. It is on Pisgah National Forest land just outside Gorges State Park.-Geology:...
- Rainbow FallsRainbow Falls (Horsepasture River)Rainbow Falls is a waterfall in Western North Carolina, located near Brevard. The falls is located on the Horsepasture River. It is on Pisgah National Forest land just outside Gorges State Park.-History:...
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