The Elk River Falls is an actual waterfall on the Elk River, located in the Elk Falls Recreation Area of the Pisgah National Forest near Elk Park, NC. As described in Chapter 19, there’s a wide granite ledge at the top of the falls which makes it possible to walk across to the other side of the river. From this ledge the water drops 85 feet into a large, bowl-shaped pool, the depth of which has never been determined, as weighted divers have been unable to fight the force of the water pushing them upward. As noted by narrator Sally Jane, signs warning against the dangers of jumping from the falls are regularly ignored by local youths, amongst them the author’s sons, who (thankfully) waited until WAY after the fact to inform their mother of their shenanigans. And yes, Avery County EMT’s do, indeed, claim to be able to drive to the falls blindfolded, due to the frequency of such incidents.
