Boulder Area Crowder Mountain State Park 1/21/2012

Rain was in the forecast so we decided on a short hike on the Ridge Line Trail starting at the Boulders Trail Head.  My previous blog entry in March 2011 provides information on this trail head including location.  As in the earlier hike we followed the .23 mile spur trail to the main Ridge Line Trail.  This time we turned right and followed the wooded trail .58 miles to a crossing of the road we drove in on.

This is a well maintained trail that can be followed north for another five miles to the Kings Pinnacle Trail.  In less then a half mile we reached a sign for the Boulders Overlook.  There is a short section of trail to the left but no improved overlook.  There are boulders that can be climbed on and open views at a number of location both to the left and the right along the ridge.

We spent some time following the little "trails" around the rocky areas.  This would be a nice spot for a picnic on a warmer, drier day.  Many of the rocks look interesting to climb on but they also look like an area that snakes would enjoy.   As we followed the ridge from boulder to boulder we could see the main trail below us.  It was neccesary to backtrack to rejoin the Ridge Line Trail.

We followed the main trail until it began to switchback off of the hill and did not see another access to the boulders area.  At this point we retraced out route back to the trail head.  This trail follows the ridge of a very old mountain range going up and down hills rather then mountains until it reaches Kings Pinnacle.  It is not level but is not steep either.

South Mountain State Park Loop Hike 1/15/2012

We decided to get back out on the trail today with a short loop hike at South Mountain State Park.  We started from the parking area at the end of the road but took the less busy trail at the top of the parking next to the ranger's residence.  The Little River Trail immediately starts to climb.  Although not steep is gains elevation continuously for about a half mile.





The trail is an old dirt road that is well maintained.  This time of year there is not a lot of green showing along the trail but there were some ferns that have survived the winter weather.  There were also some Holly and Evergreens.  Although called the Little River Trail the only water we saw was a tiny run passing through a culvert under the road. 

The temperature was around 50 but the nights have been cold and there has been rain.  Near the end of this section of trail Mitch spotted some icicles melting away under a dirt overhang.  We began to get open views of the surrounding hills about this time.  At .7  miles we reached a trail intersection with clear signs.

We turned left and walked a half mile to the next trail intersection.  This area was a mostly level walk  with views on both sides.  The first trail allowed foot traffic only but this one is a horse trail and had evidence of such.  We had fun noticing the variety of horseshoe and hoof prints in the trail.  At the intersection there were more signs and an old bench.

Not wanting to make this a long hike we turned back to the first intersection and headed down the Raven Rock trail towards the River trail.  This trail seemed steeper then the trail we came up and had switchbacks and timbers added to retard erosion.  It was well maintained and not overly steep.  We came to a short fence that looked directly down on the park road.  The first step would have been a long one.

The trail crosses the road and goes a little ways down to the river.  From here it is a pleasant .4 mile walk along the water back to the parking lot.  We did not see a single person on the trail until we were beside the creek. This park may not have the spectacular vistas like the Blue Ridge Parkway oe the Smokies but it has many miles of pleasant trails to choose from.

Spence Ridge Trail Linville Gorge 11/5/2011

This trail is on the east side of the Linville Gorge accessed from the road leading from Gingercake Acres to Table Rock.  This is a much gentler but longer trail then the ones on the other side of the gorge.  The trail starts out almost level on an old road.  Don't be fooled though.  It is downhill all of the two miles to the Linville river which means uphill all the way back.   The backside of Hawksbill can be seen along this first section.



 After a short easy walk there is a sharp right turn at the only intersection we passed until we reached the river.  The trail begins to descend more quickly.  The leaves were wet and slick on the trail.  I was wishing I had remembered gloves as the morning was cold but the sun warmed us up about half way down.

We passed a spring that seemed to be right in the trail then began to follow a tiny run.  It became bigger as more springs and runs joined in until it was quite pretty.  There are several switchbacks as the trail drops lower into the gorge area.  We passed a couple of nice primitive campsites.  It is a pleasant descent till a short steep section right at the river

This trail reaches the river at the only footbridge in the Linville Wilderness area.  This spot is also known as house rock.  The trail that follows the river is on the other side of the bridge.  If you use one of the other trails on this side you must ford the river to access it.  The bridge is narrow but it is solid with a good handrail.

When we reached the bridge instead of crossing immediately we scrambled about 100 feet upstream on the rocks to a large rock with a pretty whitewater view.  This proved to be a sunny and warm but somewhat windy spot to have our picnic lunch.  While we ate several groups arrived at the bridge and all stopped to take pictures.

After lunch we crossed the bridge and followed the main gorge trail about a half mile downstream.  The trail immediately climbs above the river and stays where you can see the water but not easily access it.  This trail is technically more difficult being narrow and with many obstacles such as fallen trees.  This one rockfall beside the trail looked almost like a man made shelter.

We turned back and headed uphill fairly early because we knew getting out would be harder then coming in  This would probably make a good family hike to the river and the bridge but I would hesitate to take young children on the trail along the river.  The creek and rock formations along the way would be enjoyable for children and of course they would enjoy the long log bridge.

Price Lake Loop 10/15/2011

We wanted to enjoy the Fall color along the Blue Ridge Parkway while including a relaxed walk so we headed for Price Lake.  Starting the 2.3 mile loop from the overlook parking we headed counterclockwise.  The trail stays close to the parkway passing a small fishing platform, a section of the campground, the amphitheater, and the boat rental area with additional parking.

At this point the trail moves deeper into the woods with several bridges crossing the creeks feeding the lake.  The water was clear but we didn't see any minnows at this time of year.  There was much evidence of beaver activity both old and recent.  The lake is in clear view along most of the trail.  The trail on this side was mostly level with only a little mud.

This trail was busy today with family groups enjoying the views, picnicing, and fishing.  We have hiked here at other times of year and seen far fewer people.  It was still a peaceful walk with  many ins and outs of coves so that the trail did not feel crowded.  On the back side we came to one area that was quite wet from the rains this week.  This area is not normally this wet.

The last portion of the trail stayed really close to the lake with good views.  There were a couple of spots where we had to watch our footing as the trail crosses rocks sloping down to the river.  This is an easy trail but not obstacle free.  It is a fun trail for children.  The trail leaves the woods right beside the parking and across from the dam. 

De Hart Botanical Gardens 10/9/2011

The Grandsons, Matthew and Daniel, joined us for a walk around the Franklin County Nature Preserve of the De Hart Botanical Gardens south of Louisberg, NC.  The trail map that we picked up at the gazebo by the small gravel parking lot stated that there were 1.8 miles of hiking trails in each side of the preserve.  The trails  for the two sides meet only at the parking area.

We walked the area to the right first.  This section has  plants that have been brought here from other parts of North Carolina.  The trail leads up a small hill past some rocks to an overlook of the lake.  There were several varieties of flowers blooming.  Judging from the azalea bushes and the mention of other flowers including wildpink and Crane Fly Orchids this must be a beautiful place in the Spring.

Beyond the overlook the trail goes down to the lake and crosses on a footbridge.  The boys spotted Bass, Brim, minnows, and turtles in the lake.  We followed a loop trail through the woods and up the hill on the other side of the lake before finishing the loop around the small lake.  The last section of the trail led us through a stand of bamboo and back to the parking area.

We crossed the parking area and took the Waterfall trail.  This side of the preserve remains a natural habitat.  The trail is a loop except for a short section at the beginning.  We were disappointed to find the waterfall  almost completely dry.   On a short side trail to a historic home site I spotted this  log that looked like a alligator to me.  What do you see?

Beyond the short detour we passed a smaller lake.  This one is much more natural then the one on the other side of the preserve.  A frog jumped in the water from the bank as I approached.  The trail continues around and follows powerlines back to the beginning of the loop.  This whole area is peaceful with easy well maintained trails.

Bass Lake and Trout Lake Loop 9/24/11

We had planned a day of hiking on the Tanawha trail but after the clouds rolled in we decided on lunch in Blowing Rock and walks around two lakes.  The first lake is the one that you see from the Moses Cone Manor.  There is parking for the lake off of 221 between Blowing Rock and the parkway.  The trails connect from here to the manor but today we just walked the lake loop.

This  trail is wide and mostly level.  There were lots of water lilies around the edges.  Ducks were scattered around in the lily pads and near the island in the lake.   A number of people were fishing from the banks.  The loop is a total of .8 miles and appears to be popular for walking dogs and exercise walking.  For most of the walk you have a clear view of the lake.

From here we followed 221 to where it met the parkway.  Instead of entering the parkway we crossed it and turned right.  Just past this point was an access road for the Trout Lake parking area.  The 1 mile loop around this lake has a different feel from Bass Lake.  Although still mostly level this trail is more natural and there  were trees blocking the open views of the lake for much of the walk.

Turning left from the parking the trail follows the stream that supplies the lake for a time until reaching a foot bridge allowing us to cross and return to the lake.  At the far end of the hike the trail follows the entrance road for the parking lot for a time.  We had a good time strolling around the lake looking for touch-me-nots that were ready to pop.  

Beacon Heights and Linn Cove Viaduct 9/24/11

We headed up to the Grandfather mountain area of the Blue Ridge Parkway planning to hike several sections of the Tanawha Trail.  The first stop was the Beacon Heights trail head at milepost 305.2.  The trail enters the woods and climbs gently.  It wasn't raining but it was cloudy and the trail was damp.  At the first intersection we turned right on the Mountain-to-sea trail.

We turned left at the second trail intersection and were soon at a fork in the trail with a bench.  Straight ahead was a large open rock outcrop with views to the south.  To the left was a stone stairway to another open rock area with views of Grandfather mountain.  The leaves were already starting to show color at the upper elevations.  The clouds were moving over the peaks.

This was an easy hike of less then a mile round trip with nice views as a reward.  There is enough of a challenge for young children to feel that they have accomplished something and some room for them to explore..  This would make a pleasant spot for a picnic on the rocks.  It is a popular spot and there were quite a few people on the trail.

Our second stop was a short drive north at the Linn Cove Viaduct visitor center.  The Tanawha trail passes through the parking lot here and continues north.  The first section is level and handicap accessible.  This section ends with a view point below the viaduct.  Even this late in the season there were a variety of flowers by the visitor center and along this section.

Beyond here the trail climbs up into the rocks and roughly parallels the parkway.  We passed a ranger who cautioned us to be careful on the wet rocks.  This is a very rocky area with lots of small caves.  After a short distance we crossed a bridge over Linn Cove Branch.  The trail climbs a ridge beyond this point appearing for a short time to be leaving the parkway. 

At about a half mile from the visitor center there is a very short side trail on the right.  There is a sign beside the trail at this point.  The side trail leads to a rock with an open view back along the viaduct.  You need to climb up on the rock to get the view and there is a drop off on the other side.  This trail would be fun for children but they would need to be carefully supervised.