This years edition of Cruising the Carolinas starts off where it left off last year with a trip through the Cullasaja Gorge in Macon County.  Designated as a scenic byway by the United States Forest Service, the Cullasaja Gorge area offers breathtaking views of steep cliffs as well as several waterfalls which lure thousands of tourists to them year-round.

For the purposes of this trip, we will begin the route in Sylva, NC.  Take US 74 west to Sylva and connect with NC 107 and take it towards Cullowhee.  Once in Cullowhee, continue traveling on NC 107 until you intersect with US 64 in Cashiers.  This stretch of road will get slightly curvy as you make your way into the heart of the mountains near Cashiers, and a good portion of the area is covered by water from Lake Glenville.

Take a right onto US 64 in Cashiers and take it towards Highlands.  On the way, you will get incredible views of the South Carolina Upstate as the Blue Ridge Mountains give way to the Cherokee Foothills.  The centerpiece of this area is Whiteside Mountain, which is considered by many to be the oldest mountain in the world (at half a billion years old) and boasts the highest cliffs in the Eastern United States at 2000 feet.  More avid explorers can take a 2-mile loop around the mountain providing a vast array of views.

As you pass through Highlands, continue on US 64 and take it into Nantahala National Forest and the Cullasaja Gorge.  Before getting into the thick of the gorge, you will come across two of the regions most famous waterfalls.  The first is Bridal Veil Falls which is located just off the side of the highway.  The unique feature of this waterfall is the ability to drive your vehicle behind the falls.  There was a boulder which fell a few years ago which prevented this from happening but the rock has since been removed.

The second waterfall that you will come past is Dry Falls.  Located on the opposite side of the highway, visitors can take a brief hiking trail to the base of the falls as well as to be able to walk behind them.

Once entering the heart of the gorge you can see Cullasaja Falls you can catch a glimpse of the falls from the highway but getting out to see them is going to be an issue.  The falls are located on a stretch of road which is very narrow and sandwiched between a sheer rock wall on one side and a steep drop on the other.  The blind curve also makes driving difficult.  There is a small pull out, but getting to it can be complicated so viewing the falls as you pass by might be the easiest route to take.

Continuing on through the gorge, the mountains and valleys will begin to give way to the town setting of Franklin.  Once in Franklin, pick up US 441/23 and head north towards Dillsboro and Sylva.  Pick up US 74 just north of Dillsboro to complete the loop.

Always follow the posted speed limits and traffic patterns.

Always exercise caution when visiting waterfalls, do not cross any fences which may be in place and do not go in any areas which are prohibited.  Every year WLOS reports on accidents occurring at waterfalls across our viewing area which result in severe injury or death.

Some attractions in the Nantahala National Forest require a day pass fee which pays for maintenance of the featured attraction. Whiteside Mountain and Dry Falls require this pass.  It should be a $2 fee.

Be careful driving through the Cullasaja Gorge, there are several blind curves and narrow passages.

- If hiking isn't your thing, perhaps some gem mining could add some fun for your family.  Gold City is located off US 441/23 between Franklin and Sylva and has been a roadside staple for over 25 years. 

Try to patronize the local businesses in the towns which you travel through. Many of the Main Streets you will come across will have a wide array of unique and diverse shops and restaurants which are unique to the region.