Fall Creek Falls plunges into a gorge containing one of the last stands of virgin forest in the Southeast. Several mature hemlocks and yellow poplars grow in this cool, moist, shaded gulf, and in winter snow and ice create a scene of solitude and beauty. At 256 feet, Fall Creek Falls is the highest waterfall east of the Rocky Mountains. The waters of Fall Creek have cut through the rock to expose geologic formations of years old. These rocks are the remnants of sandy dunes, tidal plains, salt marshes, or swamps, giving each layer a different texture and color. A strenuous hike leads to the base of the falls, where the gorge becomes cooler and darker, creating an environment ideal for a wide variety of plants from both northern and southern forests. The Woodland Trail leads across the ridge to the Nature Center on Cane Creek.