The difficulty in writing an article about Bridal Veil Falls in Dupont State Forest is its size and multiple personalities. (Note there are several falls in the area with the same name but this one is located on the Little River in North Carolina's Dupont State Forest.)
At some 800 feet long, it is technically a huge waterslide that is too big to photograph from any angle except from overhead. On most maps, including Google, it is handled as a widening of the stream but actually looks like a pond. You can use Google Maps’ satellite view to see and measure just how big it is. See the photo over to the left. You can clearly see the sluice turn at the bottom along with the veil near the top.
There are 3 main areas of “personality” that you need to explore:
- Since you’ll come onto the waterfall at the bottom, pay attention as to how the stream comes 800 feet down the granite waterslide then immediately makes a hard turn into a sluice to reconstitute itself as the Little River. The sluice all by itself is a good water feature.
- As to the waterslide, it changes from every angle. Getting a low shot from the base, shooting up the waterslide, will show how the water “dances” over small holes and knobs on the rock. Further up the face, you’ll be able to look down over an extraordinary expanse of rock face that is fascinating to explore with holes and channels cut into the rock over the centuries. Be alert of life in the little pools that dot the face. You’ll find frogs, tadpoles and salamanders. And maybe even a snake.
- But the most fun is the plunge. This is a small, 5 foot veil, close to the top of the waterslide. It was used in the movie Last of the Mohicans in a scene where the actors walk behind the veil. You can’t stand up behind the water, but it is an experience that you should not miss. You are completely enclosed by the veil except for the very ends. And the noise is deafening. The video to the left was taken behind this little veil. For size comparison, you’ll see some hikers at the very end of the clip.
Please go see Bridal Veil Falls, you will not be disappointed. When you do go, don’t be in a hurry. Take time to explore and see all the facets of this under-rated waterfall. Pack a lunch, there are huge, flat rocks at the base that make for good tables and places for naps.
Comments