In the summer of 1982, my best friend talked me into taking a short hike to see something only the most local of residents knew about. The shady spot was unmarked, not far from his family’s home north of the four-lane highway. It was located on private property, but the owner was a nice man who didn’t mind visitors as long as they didn’t leave anything behind.
After a mostly uphill 30-minute walk, through the trees appeared a waterfall that took this Florida boy’s breath away. The only sound you could hear out there was water crashing against creek rocks smoothed over the millennia. The water emanating from a natural spring at the top of the hill was unlike anything I’d ever tasted from a well.
Going behind the waterfall was majestic, while standing in the waterway felt like being baptized by Mother Nature. It was a glorious sight for a former flatlander.
I enjoyed the experience so much we went back again next year. Then again when I had children. Then again when he had young’uns. The spot became synonymous with everything I love about Cherokee County.
Alas, ownership eventually changed hands, and environmental and liability concerns led to locked gates and “no trespassing” signs being erected on the property. I wondered if I would ever have the joy of taking my grandchildren there.
Until June 5, that is. That’s when Mainspring Conservation Trust held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the opening of Cover Falls Preserve and the Lillian Brittain Cover Trail, a 57-acre property at 50 Cover Ave. The half-mile trail is the first phase of a planned 1.3-mile loop, according to mainspringconserves.org.
We came close to losing this priceless treasure to the lure of lucre, as the previous owner planned to build a residential community. Thankfully, with the support of generous anonymous donors and other partners, the land is permanently protected from private development under Mainspring. Plans are to have it protected in perpetuity through a N.C. Land & Water Fund conservation easement.
The waterfall, named after notable local Lillian Brittain Cover, harbors a healthy spray cliff natural community that supports several rare nonflowering rare plant species, and the surrounding slopes are rich with wildflowers. This is one reason why dogs are not allowed, and all visitors are encouraged to remain on the trail.
If you want to take your dogs for a stroll, visit Mainspring’s other Cherokee County trail at Welch Farm Preserve. The historic farmland between Andrews and Marble just off U.S. 19/64/74/129 dates back to the mid-1800s, when John and Betty Welch owned it.
“Today, Mainspring manages the property for its beauty, recreation value, water quality and aquatic habitat, wildlife habitat, productive farmland and rich cultural heritage,” according to the nonprofit’s website. Foot travel, paddle boating, fishing, swimming and hunting are allowed, while all-terrain vehicles, mountain biking and horseback riding are not.
Mainspring held a listening hike on June 16 at Welch Farm and a “Firefly Frolic” event at Cover Falls on June 13. The great outdoors is calling for you.
David Brown is a columnist for the Cherokee Scout. Reach him via email at dbrown1113@msn.com.