The southwest segment of North Carolina, near Cashiers, Highlands, and adjacent communities, is generally considered the waterfall capital of our state. Whitewater Falls, less than a mile from the North Carolina - South Carolina border, is probably one of the most popular of all the area waterfalls. A series of falls and cascades extending over 400 feet from top to bottom, Whitewater Falls eventually terminates in a boiling mountain stream in the steep-walled gorge below. There are North Carolina waterfalls with much more volume than this one, but in terms of sheer height, Whitewater Falls is the most impressive waterfall I have seen east of the Mississippi. This shot was made late on a May afternoon, not long before the sun began to dip below the horizon, which would have left the falls entirely in shade.