Catawba Falls to close for at least 9 months for safety improvements

MCDOWELL COUNTY, N.C. — A popular hiking trail in McDowell County is closing Monday for safety improvements, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

Over the weekend, people made sure to take advantage of their last chance to hike and take in the sights and sounds during the trail’s last few days open in 2022, WLOS reported.

The closure of the Catawba Falls Trail and access to the 100-foot-tall falls will last nine to 12 months, closing the popular spot to visitors at least through the end of the year. Ever since the U.S. Forest Service acquired Catawba Falls, the agency has had plans to get visitors safely from the trailhead to the upper falls.

The threat of rain Sunday did little to stop both locals and out-of-town visitors from accessing the Catawba Trail one last time.

The trail one of McDowell County’s trouble spots, said resident Sheldon Adams, who lives along the access to the trailhead.

“I’ve noticed at least once a week, fire department and rescue teams coming out here because people are slipping and falling and stuff like that,” Adams said.

The work will eliminate the user-created path to the upper falls, which has resulted at least one hiker getting hurt, WLOS reported. New boardwalks, overlooks and a staircase to the upper falls aim to make the experience safer.

With the popular spot closed, the Forest Service urges hikers to give newer areas opened around Old Fort a chance this summer.

Officials with the Grandfather Ranger District told WLOS they hope to have hikers back on the Catawba Falls Trail in the spring of 2023.

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