Glen Falls (East Fork Overflow Creek)

Tumbling off the southeastern flank of Chinquapin Mountain, East Fork Overflow Creek drops an impressive 750+ft in only a half mile. The main event is a 3-tiered, and very well trafficked, waterfall that's collectively named Glen Falls. But don't let that fool you - the rest of the route is no less engaging or exciting. Although touristy on the weekends, this route is quite fun, offers stunning waterfall-top views, an insanely easy approach, and lots of time through flow. It's straightforward enough for beginners and has immediate escape options at each of the first 3 waterfalls. You can either loop the route or set up an optional shuttle. I highly recommend the shuttle option - no elevation gain and the creek deposits you at your exit car, which is along a dirt forest road featuring several dispersed car camping sites in the secluded Blue Valley. But fear not, looping back to the starting parking lot is along a well maintained trail that is quite mild compared to the usual NC sufferfest bushwhacking.

There are three ways to slice this - you can shuttle top-down (*highly recommended*), loop the route - starting at the top, or loop the route - starting at bottom. Aside from shuttling, choosing which way to start your loop hinges on whether you want to knock out the uphill gain at the start or end of the route. If shuttling, drop your finishing car at the end of the dirt road FR 79C (or East Prong Overflow): 35.02575, -83.23920. This is also the end of the Blue Valley Campground, which is searchable on Google Maps. After dropping the finishing car, park the starting car at the well known and easily accessible Glen Falls Parking Lot (35.03335, -83.23565). If it's a weekend day in peak season, aim to get there early before the lot fills up. It's recommended to gear and suit (if wearing one) up at the parking lot. Hike the Glen Falls Trail past the kiosk and then left onto the level-graded logging road towards Glen Falls. You'll pass an obvious sign confirming that you are, indeed, headed towards Glen Falls. In 0.15 miles, you'll reach the first viewing platform (35.03225, -83.23749). If you are starting your loop at the bottom (end) of the route, then hike up to the above mentioned viewing platform (35.03225, -83.23749) and suit/gear up there.

Depending on your group and water levels, your descent may have more or less the number of rappels listed here. You may also need to improvise belays or handlines to mitigate changing hazards due to varying conditions. Note: The base of R5 is the last convenient place to escape the creek, via the Glen Falls Trail DCL, until it intersects the trail again about 0.25mi downstream. Continue downstream for another 5-10min, which becomes more of a creekwhack than a creekstomp, until you intersect the Glen Falls Trail again.