Editing Catawba Falls Trail

{{Trail
|Trail Marking=Yellow
|Trail Use=Hiking
|Trail Features=Waterfalls
|Difficulty Rating=Easy
|Hike Time=1.5 hrs
|Trail Distance=1.4 mi
|Round Trip Distance=3.0 mi
|Trail Type=In-and-Out
|High Point=1,914 ft
|Low Point=1,419 ft
|Elevation Gain=495 ft
|Parking location=35.61333, -82.23086
|Trailhead location=35.61333, -82.23086
}}
{{Announcement
 |Title=Trail Closure
 |Body=Currently officially closed (2022). Expected reopening in Spring of 2024. Visit the [https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/nfsnc/recarea/?recid=81789 Forest Service website] for latest details.
}}
</br>
{{Trail Map}}

__TOC__

== Trail Overview ==
<!-- Enter a overview of the trail. What attracts you to this trail, points of interest, types of flowers, lakes, and peaks that you see along the way. -->
Short in-out hike along an improved trail to 100-foot tall Catawba Falls 

== How to get there ==
<!-- Please enter detailed instruction on how to find the trail head. -->
From Johnson City, TN
#Head south on I-26 towards Asheville.
#Merge onto I-240 East/US-70 East.
#Continue onto I-40 East toward Statesville.
#Take Exit 73 (Old Fort).
#From the exit ramp, make a sharp right turn onto Catawba River Road.
#Follow the road to its end after three miles.
#Park at new USFS lot.

Address for map systems: 3074 Catawba River Rd, Old Fort, NC 28762

== Route Description==
<!-- Detailed description of the route. Is there any side trails that are worth traveling? -->
The falls are reached by a steady uphill walk following the Catawba River.  The hike time is roughly half hour each way with another half hour to enjoy the waterfall.  There is one tricky stream crossing (0.9 mi) on stepping stones which can be more difficult have heavy rains.

{| class="wikitable" border="1"
|-
!Miles
!Catawba Falls Hike
!Elevation
|-
|0.00
|Parking Area
|1,594 feet
|- 
|0.25
|Footbridge over Catawba River (built Summer 2016)
| 
|- 
|0.90
|Rock hop over Clover Patch Branch
|
|- 
|1.20
|Former dam - and its waterfall
| 
|- 
|1.30
|Road grade ends, footbridge over Chestnut Branch (built November 2016)
|
|-
|1.40
|Catawba Falls
|1,914 feet
|- 
|2.8
|Back at Parking Area
|1,594 feet
|- 
|}

There is an upper falls, but do not pursue until the USFS officially improves and extends the trail.  Currently, it is a very dangerous climb which has resulted in injury and death. The latest was February 2018. [https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2018/02/26/forest-service-catawba-falls-death-reminder-heed-warnings/372765002/ Citizen-Times article].  Prior one occurred on June 25, 2017.

== Typical Conditions ==
<!-- Typical conditions throughout the year of what to expect on the trail. Rocky, muddy, sandy, flowers, lots of downed trees?  -->
Well trodden dirt path with a pair of new (2016) bridges.  Can be muddy after hard rain.

Very popular trail. An early spring hike saw roughly a 1:1 ratio of dogs and elementary-aged children per adult.

==Fees, Permits, etc. ==
<!-- Please list any Fees, Permits, Regulations, etc. that may be required on this trail.-->
No permit or fee.   Parking for roughly 30 vehicles, but can fill on really nice days.  Bathrooms and bear-proof trash container at parking area.

== After the Hike ==
<!-- Anywhere interesting to stop by since you're in the area!! -->
Visit Kilwin's Chocolates, Fudge and Ice Cream (116 W State St, Black Mountain, NC) for refreshment afterwards.

== Misc. Information ==
<!-- Enter any additional information that doesn't fit an any other fields. Does this trail require any permits for overnight? parking? -->
Located in Pisgah National Forest, Grandfather Ranger District. Contact number is (828)652-2144.

Until some better pictures are submitted, an excellent write-up is found at [https://www.hikewnc.info/trailheads/catawba-falls hikewnc.info]
 
== Photos ==
<gallery>
Image: Catawba Falls March 2019.jpeg|Catawba Falls 
Image: Catawaba Falls March 2019a.jpg|March 2019
Image: Cascade on Catawaba River.jpg|Cascade on Catawba River
Image:
</gallery>
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Waterfall
|Marker Title=Waterfall
|Marker Description=Lower Catawba Falls
|Marker Location=35.60435, -82.244967
}}