Waterfall and Cliff Communities
The waterfall and cliff communities are the heart and soul of the Southern Highlands Reserve.
These natural areas, comprising 100 acres and a change in elevation of 1000 feet (4700’–3700’) in a distance of 2000 feet, are the upper-most face of the Blue Ridge Escarpment as seen from the piedmont of South Carolina.
The steep southeast-facing slope drops down from a broad wind-swept summit above that is home to stunted and gnarled red oaks and chestnut oaks, only eight inches in diameter and 14 feet tall, yet maybe 80 years old. Layered bands of gneiss form an extensive cliff complex.
Several Spray Cliffs, nested within the larger Montane Acidic Cliff community, occur at the head of small streams where water has cut through bedrock to form waterfalls with grottoes. A number or rare and unusual Spray Cliff plants grow together in these areas — grass–of–Parnassus, round-leaf sundew, rock-fir clubmoss, grotto alumroot, grotto felt and Appalachian Shoestring fern. The rare granite dome bluet is also found in the surrounding cliff areas. All of the wet grotto areas are covered with dense moss/liverwort mats.
Described as a Significant Natural Heritage Area by Ed Schwartzman of the NC Natural Heritage Trust Fund, our waterfall and cliff communities are a gift that deserves our protection. To preserve this fragile environment, only the most essential conveyances have been constructed here. To avoid trampling, access is restricted in these areas.
