About this spot
Tim Guffy II is a waterfall site with two primary jump options at 20-40 feet. The area features a good swimming location and can accommodate families with proper supervision. From I-40, take exit 103 toward Morganton/Rutherfordton on US-64. Turn right on Burkemont Ave/US-64, then left on W Fleming Dr/US-64/US-70. Continue left on N Green St/NC-181, then right on Brown Mountain Beach Rd/NC-1405. Turn left on Brown Mountain Beach Rd/NC-1328 and travel approximately 5 miles past a single-lane bridge; the parking area sits on the left. Access follows Harpers Creek trail FS 260, approximately 1 mile with a 30-45 minute typical duration. The first eighth-mile involves steep terrain; the remainder is relatively level with minor obstacles. At the falls, you can descend to the lower pool or down-climb to the smaller pool beneath the falls using an established rope. From the water, swim past whitewater to a large rock in the pool corner—this location presents hazards. A small rope aids climbing the right side of the waterfall for the primary 20-25 foot jump from the left side. An advanced option reaches 35-40 feet, requiring free climbing left from the waterfall top with no safety features below. Climbers must ascend past the jump point and friction-climb down to a small pine tree emerging from rock, positioning at a small crack. This location demands clearing 10-15 feet of rock below. A critical hazard involves the whitewater: deep diving can trap jumpers under a submerged rock ledge approximately 15 feet down where currents have caused fatalities.