1 of 12
Karen Lawson
Engine Falls
Engine Falls is off of Sams Branch in the Pisgah National Forest. This branch is very similar to Flat Laurel Creek though a much smaller version. It is a series of cascades that traverse towards Hwy 215 near the Blue Ridge Parkway. The photograph taken of Engine Falls is just one of many cascades on this branch. The name is given from the history behind this location. The trail towards the cascades is actually an old railroad grade and engines would stop here to get water for their steam engines. Hence the name Engine Falls.
2 of 12
Karen Lawson
Abrams Creek Falls
Abrams Creek Falls is a beautiful waterfall in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Access on the Abrams Creek Trail starts in Cades Cove and hence the falls is fairly popular. It is approximately 30'-40' high with a very large and deep pool beneath it. The pool is frequented by river otters. The day I took this photograph I was also able to photograph the otters as they scavenged for food in the pool. The Cherokee name for Cades Cove is Tsiyahi, meaning Otter Place.
3 of 12
Karen Lawson
Cataract Falls
Cataract Falls is an easily accessible waterfall located just outside the Sugarland's Visitor Center in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The trail to it is an easy 1/4 mile hike appropriate for all ages. It is approximately 25 feet tall and not very wide.
4 of 12
Karen Lawson
D.E.W. Falls
D.E.W. Falls is a beautiful small waterfall that's only about 25 feet high. It is named after Dorothy Ehrlich Walker who died in an automobile accident during her senior year at Hammond School in South Carolina. This waterfall is off of Mills Creek and if you continue to follow Mills Creek you will come to Slippery Witch Falls.
5 of 12
Karen Lawson
Dry Falls
Dry Falls is a 70'-80' waterfall in Nantahala National Forest. Access to this waterfall is easy. It is directly off Hwy 64. There is a paved parking area and a paved walkway leading down to the waterfall. The walkway goes behind the waterfall and around the other side to a viewing area. Though the name is Dry you will get wet going behind this gigantic waterfall from the spray it kicks up!
6 of 12
Karen Lawson
Engine Falls
Engine Falls is off of Sams Branch in the Pisgah National Forest. This branch is very similar to Flat Laurel Creek though a much smaller version. It is a series of cascades that traverse towards Hwy 215 near the Blue Ridge Parkway. The photograph taken of Engine Falls is just one of many cascades on this branch. The name is given from the history behind this location. The trail towards the cascades is actually an old railroad grade and engines would stop here to get water for their steam engines. Hence the name Engine Falls.
7 of 12
Karen Lawson
Flat Laurel Creek
Flat Laurel Creek is in the Pisgah National Forest. The creek flows near the highest point on the Blue Ridge Parkway at Sams Knob and traverses down towards Hwy 215. This unnamed waterfall is actually part of a series of cascades on the creek that stretched back almost as far as Sams Knob.
8 of 12
Karen Lawson
Indian Creek Falls
Indian Creek Falls is also located in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It is in the Deep Creek Section of the park and is only a 1.9 miles roundtrip hike from the Deep Creek Campground. It is approximately 35 feet high with a nice pool beneath it.
9 of 12
Karen Lawson
Quarry Falls
Quarry Falls is located near Highlands, NC. It's almost impossible to miss seeing this one if traveling up U.S. Hwy 64 from Franklin as it is right beside the road with a pull off for viewing. Quarry Falls is a multi-tiered cascades approximately 20 feet high with a large pool beneath it. Downstream of the falls is tell-tale signs of rock drilling with large bore holes seen in the boulders.
10 of 12
Karen Lawson
Slippery Witch Falls
Slippery Witch Falls is in the Pisgah National Forest. It is a 75'-100' waterfall off of Mills Creek. Access to the waterfall is slightly challenging with a descent including scrambling over and under fallen trees. The waterfall is secluded and well worth the effort to get to.
11 of 12
Karen Lawson
Unnamed Waterfall
This waterfall is located off the Blue Ridge Parkway.
12 of 12
Karen Lawson
White Owl Falls
White Owl Falls is a small yet beautiful waterfall in the Pisgah National Forest. It is approximately 15' high with a shallow pool at the base.
These images by photographer Karen Lawson showcase the beauty of cascading waterfalls. View more of her work at karen-lawson.artistwebsites.com