During the winter until about mid-march the road into the forest is closed. They do have a parking area past the road that you can still park. We parked outside the gate and walked in and did a little road and then did a loop and went to the dam. It ended up being 7 M and 480 EG. It was just various trails to make up the loop.
This is always a nice hike because you see 4 Waterfalls. First hike is from the visitor center to the Upper Bearwallow Falls platform and back. The drive over to the Rainbow Falls Trailhead to go to the next three waterfalls. Rainbow Falls is always spectacular. Turtleback Falls is fun because you can see people slide down sometimes. Even with doing this hike in March there was one person sliding down. Drift Falls is on private property but you can see it well without going on the property. The first hike was 2 M 461 EG. The second hike was 4.3 M 758 EG.
Hiked down the Foothills Trail from Sassafras Mountain and then turned around. Visited the tower at the top of Sassafras after getting back. They have added some signs at the observation platform which tell you what mountain you are seeing in the distance which is nice. It was 6.4 M and 1143 EG.
Did a few trails to make a big loop at Paris Mountain. The Sulphur Springs Trail, Kanuga Trail, North Lake Trail, Pipsissewa Trail, Brissy Ridge Trail, and back to the parking lot. They have done well getting all the damage cleaned up from Helene but there is still debris on the side of the trails. It was 5.7 M and 604 EG.
