From Highway 64 in Lake Toxaway, take Hwy 281 North 1.3 miles and turn left onto Slick Fisher Rd. Drive Slick Fisher Rd (paved) to its end (approx. 3 miles or so). When Slick Fisher ends, turn left to rejoin Hwy 281 North. Stay on 281 and eventually you will find the parking area on the left side of Hwy 281. If you go past Wolf Creek church, you have gone about 200 feet too far. There are NO signs to mark the parking area or trailhead. TOTAL MILEAGE FROM BEGINNING OF HWY 281 TO PARKING AREA: ABOUT 12.8 MILES.
This cache can also be accessed from the Sylva/Cullowhee area. Just take Hwy 107 North through Cullowhee to the community of Tuckasegee. Turn left onto Hwy 281 South and drive around 11 miles to the parking coordinates.
THE CACHE:
The cache is at the base of a beautiful waterfall named Wolf Creek Falls (or more popularly by the locals as Paradise Falls). This is an area you hardly ever see in any of the trail guides, yet the locals love it and it is one of the most spectacular gorges in the area. The gorge contains small cascades, a very large waterfall (Paradise), deep and exquisite swimming holes, and elegant geology and potholes that have been sculpted by the fury of water flow and natural forces.
Walk the trail down to the creek and cross at an area where you will see two natural "water spouts" in the bedrock of the creek. Cross the creek and pick up on one of the paths that continues to head downstream. YOU WILL ONLY CROSS THE CREEK THIS ONE TIME UNTIL YOU GET TO THE LARGE POOL AT THE BASE OF THE FALLS!!
When you pass a large granite cliff to your left, bear up hill but still continuing on the path and heading downstream. This path will eventually lead you to a VERY STEEP descent. Watch your step as you descend to Paradise. You are there.
BE READY TO SWIM!!! IT IS NOT REQUIRED TO FIND THE CACHE BUT THAT POOL IS JUST TOOOOO INVITING!!!
Have fun and PLEASE help Trash Out as you Cache In! THANKS!
FTF HONORS GO TO Newknee!!!
