About this spot
Small (~20 ft) sliding cascade on Courthouse Creek in Pisgah National Forest near Balsam Grove, upstream from the better-known Courthouse Falls. Guides disagree on exactly which of two upstream cascades (roughly 0.5 and 0.75 miles above the main falls) is 'the' Upper Falls, and the connecting trail is described as overgrown and hard to follow. The main, lower Courthouse Falls has a deep pool with documented swimming and dangerous undercurrents, but that reputation may not carry over to this upper cascade -- treat the swim/jump case here as unconfirmed.
Safety first. Cliff jumping is inherently dangerous and can cause serious injury or death. Conditions — water depth, submerged hazards, and access — change constantly. CliffScout is community-sourced reference information, not a guarantee a spot is safe. Always assess the conditions yourself before jumping, and never jump where you're unsure. You assume all risk.