Grandfather Mountain (Avery County, North Carolina)

 

I've tried a couple of times in the past to visit Grandfather Mountain, but in all cases, inclement weather has put a damper on the trip. We did get some rain yesterday afternoon, but I'm hopeful that this won't interfere with my plans too much. Grandfather Mountain was once thought (by colonists) to be the tallest mountain east of the Mississippi. It includes four major peaks, the highest of which is 5,946 feet. Later it was determined that the nearby Mount Mitchell actually holds this distinction. However, Grandfather Mountain is still a draw because of its ruggedness and prominence. 

After entering the park, I head to the parking area. Along the way, I find a pull-off that provides a great view of the two highest peaks and stop for a couple of pictures. Continuing up the winding road, a traffic director motions me into one of the parking areas and explains how to get to the "Mile-high Swinging Bridge" and the other trail system.

I park my car, grab my pack and start formulating a plan for the day. I had some ideas of what I wanted to do here, but with time constraints and the somewhat wet ground from yesterdays downpour, I'm rethinking the plan. Originally, I was going to hike the 10.5 mile profile trail. However, that plan required starting around 7:30 AM. At the time I made the plan, I didn't realize the park didn't open until 9:00 AM. 

To start, I decide to hike the half-mile or so up to the swinging bridge and then possibly continue on along the Grandfather Trail, which visits all of the peaks. I'll wing it. The short trail from the parking area is fairly steep and has a lot of stones and roots to navigate, but it's generally pretty easy. Arriving at the top, another parking lot leads to stairs up to the swinging bridge, which spans 228-feet above an 80-foot gorge separating two of the mountains smaller peaks. I cross over it without any issues. Though I'm not a huge fan of heights, the bridge seems pretty stable and only sways slightly with six or so people on it. Near the middle, I line is painted indicating the 1-mile elevation mark.

Reaching the other side, I start a short rock-scramble up to a view point. There area a number of people up here already and after stopping to look around, I can see why. The view here is absolutely spectacular. The bluish-green sea that is Appalachia spreads out in all directions from me. It's actually pretty breathtaking. 

Crossing back over the bridge, I decide to continue with my plan to hike the Grandfather Trail I know this one is pretty intense and even requires a self-issued permit to hike. I'm a bit concerned about wet and slippery trail conditions, but I'll judge it as a I go. I toss my scrambling gloves on as I depart the upper parking lot and climb up the rugged first part of the trail through granite boulders. 

Once at the top of this 'pitch', the trail flattens out for a short time, but it is a little muddy, which has me concerned. I continue on over a number of rugged rock outcroppings. The write-ups weren't kidding; this trail is intense. Reaching Grandfather Gap, I take a minute to do a self-inventory and decide how much further I want to go. The first, and second-tallest, of the peaks is about a mile way and I convince myself to attempt this one, but to turn back if the conditions get too slick. I want to climb it, but it's not worth injuring myself.

The first really big obstacle that I have to overcome is climbing a wet granite wall of about forty feet and at a roughly 45° angle. The park has installed a knotted steel cable to assist and I carefully make my way up it, second-guessing myself along the way. I reach the top though and decide to continue a little further. 

From there, the trail continues to climb over rocks and boulders until it reaches a long, wooden ladder up another steep cliff. I start the climb up and after a few steps on the wet and slippery ladder decide that today isn't my day. I'd love to complete this trail, but the wet conditions are just too concerning to me and I decide to turn back.

The climb back down the cable is an adventure, but again, I make it without any problems and eventually hit the Grandfather Extension Trail, which leads to the lot where I left my car. I've only hiked about 2.5 miles and I would love to do more, but other adventures await and I'm just not convinced that this one is safe with the muddy, wet conditions on the rugged trail. It was a lot of fun though and the views are some of the best in this part of the country.

Otter Falls (Watauga County, North Carolina)

 

After a decent night's sleep at my hotel in Newland, I'm ready for the next adventure. The focus of my trip is Grandfather Mountain, but as the gates don't open until 9:00 AM, I decided to visit the nearby Otter Falls first. It's only a few minutes drive to the trailhead and I arrive to find only one other car in the parking lot. 

The trail is actually pretty rugged at first, full of roots and heading steeply downhill. Soon though, it eases up. There is something of a tangle of trails here though and I'm forced to use my mapping app to determine the best route to the waterfall. I get there without too much difficulty. A small deck sits above the creek as Otter Falls flows over a large boulder separated mostly into two small trickles. I imagine this waterfall is more impressive after a good rain, but for today, it's less so. The hike back up gets me breathing a little bit, but I arrive back at the car without any issue and now with it being nearly time for the gates to open, it's time to head to my main focus.

Toms Creek Falls (McDowell County, North Carolina)

 

Toms Creek Falls near Mount Mitchell is my next and final stop for the day. This one appears to be very popular as there are ten or twelve cars parked at the trailhead between the defined spots and alongside the road. The trail is once again short and leads slightly uphill to an observation deck, while a side trail leads to a better view of the falls. Interesting that the built the deck here instead the higher point. 

This waterfall is a lone ranger and sits at the back of a stone cliff carved out like a horseshoe. Though there isn't a lot of water flowing today, it's still pretty impressive as it tumbles twenty-five or so meters over the cliff. There are a few other people here taking in the view, but after getting my shots, I decide to head back to the car.

Twin Falls (Pickens County, South Carolina)

 

For the next stop on my little hiking weekend, I decided to stop at Twin Falls. The final part of the road follows is gravel and leads to a small parking area, where a couple of other cars are already parked. This appears to be a somewhat popular area given how far off the beaten path it is. It's an easy, short trail to from the parking lot to the waterfalls, less than half-a-mile. 

Once I arrive at the end, a wooden observation deck awaits me. A young couple is already here enjoying the scenery . . . and each other. I try to make my interruption brief, just long enough to snap a couple of pictures of the waterfalls. The deck sits over a granite waterslide with the feeding creek flowing below. In the distance, about forty meters away, two waterfalls tumble over a cliff of roughly twenty meters tall. It's actually a fairly impressive waterfall, but with other stops to make and other people waiting to get back to their business, I head back to the car.

Keowee-Toxaway Natural Bridge Loop (Pickens County, South Carolina)

 

I'm making my up to North Carolina this morning for some hiking and along the way, I'm hitting a few spots. The first is the natural bridge at Keowee-Toxaway State Park in South Carolina. I picked this spot and most of the others simply because they are on or very near my planned route. After parking my car and using the visitor's center restroom, I headed out on the trail. There are a couple of options here, but I'm always a fan of seeing interesting geological formations such as arches and natural bridges.

The trail is wide and well maintained. There are a few people here, including a group of four twenty-something men hiking the trail barefoot . . . interesting. The southern section of the loop descends slowly until it reaches the small trickle of Poe Creek. The trail passes over the top of a large rock, which I believe has fallen here in eons past. It's a large semi-flat rock under which the creek flows. This is the natural bridge. After crossing, I find a spot on the lower side to rock hop a bit and get a good shot of the cave created underneath the bridge. It's an interesting site to behold. 

From there, I continue along the loop trail and pass a couple of small waterfalls. Nothing spectacular, but nice additions to the landscape. It's very humid this morning and even though I've only hiked about 1.3 miles on this short diversion, I'm sweating pretty good. I head back to the car and toward my next stop.

Sassafras Mountain (Pickens County, South Carolina)

I started a bucket list item a few years ago to stand atop the highest point in all fifty states. While some of them, like Denali in Alaska are going to be quite challenging, others are relatively easy. On my way home from Asheville, NC, I decided to check Sassafras Mountain, the highest point in South Carolina off my list. It was only a short detour on my way home. At only 3,554 feet tall, it's hardly as impressive as many of the other high points, but may still offer some nice views.

From the parking area, it's only a short walk to the observation tower atop the high point. There are a few other people here admiring the view and probably checking it off of their lists as well. The border between North and South Carolina runs right through the summit and this is indicated on the flooring surface of the observation tower. Looking in any direction, the Appalachian Mountains stretch out to the horizon with their purplish-bluish-greenish hue. The famous Foothills Trail, which I hope to backpack someday also runs through this area. 

After taking a few pictures, I decided it's time to finish my drive home. Though, this little mountain isn't as tall as many others on the list, it still offers some nice scenery and I'm glad I can now check that box on my list.

River Arts District - Peddle and Pints (Buncombe County, North Carolina)

 

I always appreciate a chance to get away to Asheville, NC. The lovely little mountain town is home to a terrific craft beer community, good hiking at the edge of the Appalachians, and my wife's family. It is a bit of a drive for me, but a chance to bike the area called the River Arts District with REI and enjoy a beer or two seemed a worthy reason.

The River Arts District (RAD) of Asheville is a revitalized corridor along the French Broad River. This area was once the industrial hub of the city and home to all manner of agriculture driven business such as tanneries, granaries, butcher shops, etc. Over the past couple of decades, the city has turned this area into a community and tourist hub with a paved path along the river, breweries, art installations, restaurants, and plenty of open greenway area. It's a great place to get a little fresh air and enjoy a meal or a brew with friends. 

Today, I'll be riding a few miles with an event organized by REI called Peddles and Pints. While I do have my own bike, I opted to borrow one of theirs. Meeting up with the guide and the other participants, we quickly sized our bikes did a quick introduction and hit the trail. We'll be  using fat-tired road-bikes today, which is quite different from my personal road bike, but it should be fine. 

After leaving the parking area, we ride up and over the Craven Street Bridge and past New Belgium's brewing facility. The brewery played a very active role in cleaning up this section of the RAD when they built their facility here a few years ago. There are a lot of people out on the trail and it feels good to be part of such an active community. Continuing south, our guide stops us at a couple of locations to talk about the history, which is interesting.

We ride to Carrier Park, which actually used to be a race track. From here, we begin heading back, eventually crossing the river again on the Amboy Road Bridge and then continuing up the eastern side of the river. A little ways further, we stop at Wedge Brewing and enjoy a pint and some good conversation. It's a pleasant experience and the beer was pretty good. Though, I've visited many of the breweries in Asheville, this is my first time at this one and like most their competition, they do a nice job.

Returning to the parking area after a couple of hours and about 6.4 miles, we thank our guide for the experience and load up to head home. I had originally planned on hitting another brewery or two, but considering the drive I have home, I decide to go ahead and depart. It was a nice event though and I'm happy to have had the chance to participate in it.