above: Rhododendron minus in bloom today

Waterfall Keepers Spring 2026 Work Trip

Twentymile Falls & Yellow Creek Falls

Dana & Kenny Koogler

Sunday May 17, 2026

I joined Waterfall Keepers of North Carolina almost immediately after its formation. I adopted several waterfalls and kept up my quarterly clean ups and filed my reports. I participated in group events.

I then had to take time off to get my bone on bone knees replaced so I let my membership lapse.

Once I had all that accomplished I realized it was time to rejoin and start participating again.

I rejoined and adopted Twentymile Cascades and Yellow Creek Falls which are both in the Graham Co. NC area. I am happy to report that my Spring waterfall work trip was a success and was very easy!

I found almost no trash to pick up at either spot! I did make introductions of myself to the rangers at Twentymile. Very nice fellows. It delighted me to see that the areas are well cared for and what little trash I did find was obviously tiny specks that had gotten dropped by accident. The corner off a gum wrapper or candy bar wrapper. A tiny cigarette butt. A button off a coat. I had barely enough trash to fill the bottom of a Wal-mart plastic bag.

It was a delightful day for exercise, doing good deeds, enjoying some mood boosting negative ions at the falls, and enjoying life! We found a neat old road called the Paynetown Road that goes to an old cemetery that the NPS cannot block access to! It was a mild adventure.

We had lunch at Tapoco Tavern. We moved on to Yellow Creek Falls to do a hike and pick up.

Once again a beautiful hike and nearly no trash!

I encourage anyone who hikes to waterfalls in the Carolinas to join the organization and perhaps adopt a waterfall. If you don't want to adopt a falls you can participate in group hikes or work trips when you feel like it!

One thing I am glad about is changing waterfalls I've adopted. I had become bored with my old ones. It is good to change up.

Above: Lower Twentymile Cascade zoomed in close

Below: close up view of galax flower

Above: Kenny by Upper Twentymile Cascade

Below: Lower Twentymile Cascade has lots of downed trees and limbs in it these days.

Zoomed in on the chute flowing away from Lower Cascade

Below: this is Lower Twentymile Cascade from a few years back before all these trees fell on it.

Below: Upper Twentymile Cascade

above: the rough path to reach the base of Lower Twentymile Cascade

Above: my jeep on the old Paynetown-Fairfax Road in North Carolina. It comes out at either the Payne Cemetery or if you go straight it comes out at Fontana Dam!

Below: a different look at the old Paynetown Road