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Photo Essay: Wondrous Waterfalls of Western North Carolina

Looking Glass Falls is right beside U.S. 276, about 5 miles north of Brevard in Pisgah National Forest.
The trailhead for Panthertown Valley’s Schoolhouse Falls is at the end of Cold Mountain Road, near Lake Toxaway, southwest of Asheville. Trail routes are shown on the information board at the trailhead.
The trailhead for Panthertown Valley’s Schoolhouse Falls is at the end of Cold Mountain Road, near Lake Toxaway, southwest of Asheville. Trail routes are shown on the information board at the trailhead.

“Waterfall Guy” Kevin Adams, author of “North Carolina Waterfalls,” has also become a master night photographer and, with Bill Lea, is founder of WNC Foto Fest, held in September near Asheville. For more: kadamsphoto.com and wncfotofest.com.

The story above is an excerpt from our May/June 2014 issue. For the rest of this story and more like it subscribe today, view our digital edition or download our FREE iOS app!

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Spring wildflowers bloom early in the New River Gorge of West Virginia. From the photographer: “Bloodroot is one of the first to blossom, fittingly coming in around the first day of spring. The reddish sap that exudes from all parts of the plant — especially the root — when cut is what gives bloodroot its common name.”

Scenes of Spring: A Photo Essay

Our contributing photographers reveal the fresh sights and subtle joys of the season.
Daybreak at Elakala Falls in West Virginia’s Blackwater Falls State Park on a perfect winter morning.

Quiet Beauty of Mountain Winter: A Photo Essay

Our contributing photographers braved the chill to capture the calm of the cold months.
Richland balsam overlook on the blue ridge parkway in North Carolina (milepost 431). From the photographer: “the forecast was calling for some low clouds, precipitation and cold temperatures overnight, so I knew there was an opportunity to possibly catch two seasons in one photo the next morning. I had to drive to the highest point on the blue ridge parkway to find frost, but it was well worth the effort.”

Two Seasons in One: A Photo Essay

Our contributing photographers have been out and about catching winter sneaking into the end of fall.
Wayah Bald in the Nantahala National Forest near Franklin, North Carolina. From the photographer: “Captured on a brisk autumn day with peak foliage.”

Fabulous Fall Foliage: A Photo Essay

Our contributing photographers’ love of the mountains is on display in their wonderful work.
Children cool off on a hot summer day by jumping into the fish ladder of the weir dam on the Doe River just downstream of the Elizabethton Covered Bridge in Elizabethton, Tennessee.

Summer Splash: A Photo Essay

Our contributing photographers know where to get wet.
Two friendly fawns engage in a gentle moment of mutual grooming in a quiet forest as their mothers feed nearby.

Mountain Warmth: A Photo Essay

Flora and fauna thrive as a new season settles in.
Hint: If you don’t have a green thumb, don’t worry. I’m drought-tolerant. I’m also NOT what my name implies. There are 80,000 varieties of me and I begin blooming in spring; you can see my blooms from spring to summer. What am I?

Bloom Quiz: A Photo Essay

It’s time to brush up on identifying the surest signs of spring, as provided by our contributing photographers.
Finch in search of food in the snow and gravel. From the photographer: “I was out walking at Laurel Run Park, near Rogersville, Tennessee, and as I finished my second-mile lap, I sat on a bench in hopes of seeing some birds. After a couple of minutes, this finch swooped down. As the snow started to fall, and the little finch bounced around, I slowly raised my camera and captured this shot.”

Creatures in the Cold: A Photo Essay

Our contributing photographers have been out shooting and shivering.
Early morning light reflects along Price Lake as clouds engulf Grandfather Mountain along the Blue Ridge Parkway in western North Carolina.

The Beauty of Mountain Autumn

Our contributing photographers capture the light and colors of fall.
The Blue Hole waterfall is nestled in the Cherokee National Forest, in the Holston Mountain area near Elizabethton, Tennessee. From the photographer: “It is a short but very steep hike down from the parking area. On this summer day I lucked out to find the rosebay rhododendron in bloom but starting to lose blossoms into the water, making for a picturesque scene. There are several falls in a short distance down Mill Creek, but the one plunging into the Blue Hole is the main attraction. It’s a wonderful place to take a chilly plunge or just dip your toes during the summer.”

Rivers & Waterfalls: A Photo Essay

Our contributing photographers know some very inviting spots.

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