Turtleback Falls

Turtleback Falls
Although dangerous, Swimming is a popular activity at Turtleback Falls
Location	Horsepasture River, Pisgah National Forest, Blue Ridge Mountains, Transylvania County, North Carolina
Coordinates	35.0922°N 82.9663°W / 35.0922; -82.9663
Type	Cascade
Total height	20 ft (6.1 m)
Number of drops	1

Turtleback Falls, also called Umbrella Falls, is a waterfall in Western North Carolina, located near Rosman. The falls is located on the Horsepasture River in the Pisgah National Forest. The falls is usually accessed by a hike starting in Gorges State Park which passes through Pisgah National Forest property.

Turtleback Falls is a popular place for swimming and people frequently slide over the falls into the Chug Hole during low water; however, the currents can be dangerous in higher flows and people have drowned at Turtleback, or have been swept downriver and over 125' Rainbow Falls.

Geology

The falls has a large, deep pool at the bottom commonly known as the "Chug Hole". The river flows over a large, sloping slab of rock before curving steeper and finally dropping into the pool. The appearance of the rock, similar to a turtle's shell, gives the falls its name.

Nearby waterfalls

• Little Falls - located on private property upstream from Drift Falls
• Narrows Falls - located in a gated community upstream from Drift Falls
• Rock House Falls - 55-ft falls located on private property on Burlingame Creek, a tributary of the Horsepasture River
• Rainbow Falls
• Drift Falls
• Stairway Falls
• Sidepocket Falls
• Windy Falls

External links

• Turtleback falls on NCWaterfalls.com
• "VIII. Operations Issues". Gorges State Park General Management Plan (PDF). N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation. January 2005.