Visitation down at South Mountains, but progress being made

In a “normal” year, by the time May melts into June at South Mountains State Park, the parking lot is full on the weekends and park rangers are on duty to direct a “one car out, one car in” policy.

Not so this year. Hurricane Helene destroyed “normal” at the largest state park in North Carolina and, because access to High Shoals Falls — the park’s premier attraction — remains blocked, visitation numbers are down.

“Two things we’ve noticed,” said Park Superintendent Lance Huss. “The number of our visitors is down and the folks who are coming are staying for shorter lengths of time.”

When the waterfall and the trail leading to the cascade and the river above it were open, Huss said, many people would come, pick out a location, and spend most of the day playing in the water and picnicking.

“Now,” he said, “we’ve got folks taking shorter hikes and they’re simply not spending as much time in the park.”

Huss said he and his ranger staff are directing visitors to Big Bear Falls, which is just a short hike from the parking area. “Not as big or as impressive as High Shoals,” he said. “But still a nice waterfall.”

Traditionally, Huss noted, the three busiest holidays at the park, located about 20 miles south of Morganton, are Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day.

RESPECTING BOUNDARIES

Huss did say the great majority of visitors to the park are respecting the closed signs and barricades that block access to both the High Shoals Loop Trail and the Headquarters Trail, which basically bisects the park.

“We have recently put up new signs, including signs in Spanish, warning people not to go beyond our barricades,” Huss said. “It’s not a question of keeping people from seeing what they want to see, it’s a question of safety.”

“Some folks are let down, not angry but let down,” Huss said, “when they arrive here and realize they can no longer hike up to the waterfall. But, again, most of them are very understanding of what we’ve had to do.”

MAKING PROGRESS

Currently, Huss said, crews are working to prepare for the return of horse riders to the park when the equestrian parking area is cleared of debris and the adjacent stables and equestrian campground are reopened.

“There is an 8-mile loop that our horse riders enjoy that encompasses the Turkey Ridge, Little River, Raven Rock, and Saddleback trails,” Huss said. “It usually takes the average rider about three hours to complete that loop.”

“Right now,” he continued, “we have crews working to cut back the limbs and do other work along Raven Rock and Saddleback, both of which have either steep intersections or sharp switchbacks.”

Huss said park staff will start with that 8-mile section of horse trail and then turn its attention to the more than 30 other miles of trail in the park.

As to the High Shoals Falls Loop and the Headquarters Trail, Huss said both will remain closed for the foreseeable future.

“Both the bridge on the lower section of the loop and the observation platform at the falls have to be inspected,” he said, “and, of course, the bridge above the falls was completely destroyed.”

On the Headquarters Trail, two bridges must be replaced before the trail can reopen.

“We still have lots of miles of hiking trails open and lots to see here,” Huss said. “And we’re working as hard as we can to bring everything back.”