BIG GREEN MOUNTAIN
Nantahala National Forest
Highlands Ranger District
2010 Flat Mountain Rd,
Highlands, N.C. 28741
(828) 526-3765
The National Forest Service acquired Panthertown Valley in 1989 from Duke Power in a deal coordinated by the Nature Conservancy. Surprisingly, the area is still relatively wild with no blazes on the trails and only a few primitive campsites. However there are an amazing number of waterfalls that are packed into a relatively small area and they many have pools at their base which make for a great place to swim or fish. Just make sure you take a map and compass on your hike. There are many intersecting trails in the area and route finding can be difficult.
This loop hike takes you to Schoolhouse Falls, past the Sandbar Pool, up Big Green Mountain and back near Greenland Creek Falls to the Cold Mountain Gap trailhead. There are outstanding views from the summit of Big Green Mountain but watch your step as the cliff drops off sharply to the valley floor.
- click to see trail photos from this hike in Panthertown Valley: November 15, 2003
- click to view a detailed trip report for this trip to Big Green Mountain: November 15, 2003 (password required)
- click to read a trip report for this day hike to Schoolhouse Falls: November 15, 2003 (password required)
- click to view a trip report at YourHikes for this hiking trip in Panthertown: November 15, 2003
- click to view maps for Panthertown Valley: area map, detailed map, profile map (password required)
- click to see a map of the entire Panthertown Valley trail system (password required)
- click to purchase the Panthertown U.S. Forest Service map
- click to see the Panthertown USFS project map
- click for news articles from this hike past Schoolhouse Falls: November 15, 2003 (password required)
- click for the Southeastern Destinations discussion forum
- click to access the guidebook North Carolina Hiking Trails which has details on this destination
- click for other North Carolina hiking and backpacking books
- click for other hikes in Panthertown Valley
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