Trails

Opportunity abounds for hiking

BY PATRICK MCCORMACK

Spanning a multitude of vistas from gentle rises to steep ascents, the High Country offers a trail and park for nature aficionados and avid hikers alike. Western North Carolina has a plethora of getaways for those looking to experience the outdoors, including waters like Watauga Lake, the Watauga River and Price Lake and mountains including the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Appalachian Mountains.

Even well-traveled hikers can find new trails to explore every fall in the High Country. Although traversing thick forests and trekking on remote mountain trails might seem daunting when one is starting out, there are many ways prospective hikers of all skill levels can prepare for a trip to experience the wilderness at their comfort level.

For something like backpack camping overnight, the most important consideration is how to prepare. Whether setting up for a short walk in the woods or a challenging multi-day backpacking trip, all outdoor enthusiasts should make sure to check out maps of the area they will be in before they hit the trailhead. Make sure to bring enough food and water for slightly longer than you plan to be out. Always bring rain gear just in case.

An excellent easy location for nature lovers searching for a quick walk is the Boone Greenway Trail. Located toward the eastern edge of Boone’s city limits, this greenway has multiple access points including a parking lot just beyond the Watauga County Recreation Complex and a smaller parking lot at the opposite end beside the Boone Wastewater Treatment Plant, which can be reached from U.S. Hwy 421 across a low water bridge on Casey Lane. This paved greenway is a local favorite for dog walking, biking and appreciating the beautiful scenery of the woods and running creek. If you go around sunset, you are sure to see a variety of wildlife including many deer and even a groundhog or two.

Venturing a bit further, a 20-minute drive north of Boone will take you to Elk Knob State Park, where a variety of trails offer different difficulties for hikers to explore one of North Carolina’s tallest peaks. To see the headwaters of the North Fork of the New River, and during the right times of year blooms of trout lilies, hikers can take the 2-mile, moderately-rated Backcountry Trail. Beyond the river is mostly campsites, but the short trip to the river is very scenic. For more seasoned hikers, take the 1.9-mile Summit Trail to ascend the park’s steep slope to see breathtaking views from the summit of Elk Knob.

The Blue Ridge Parkway, which runs through the High Country, has a seemingly endless number of trails for hikers to discover. Interested in historical sights? Visit Moses Cone Manor in Blowing Rock and see the preserved farm house on site before hiking the Rich Mountain Carriage Trail. Moving southbound on the Parkway, hikers can stop at Parkway milepost 302.8 to park and hike Rough Ridge Trail, one of the most popular trails in the High Country.

This trail gets busy during the summer months but ensures a challenging hike and rewarding views of Grandfather Mountain, the Linn Cove Viaduct and Linville Gorge. Hikers may be tempted to keep their heads down and watch their step on this rocky ascent, but platforms placed along the short trail offer spaces to stop for a break, take a breath and take in the sweeping views. Although it might be tempting, refrain from throwing any stones or other items from Rough Ridge since the craggy outcroppings just below, called Ship Rock, are a popular spot for rock climbers in the area.

Just a few mileposts beyond Rough Ridge, hikers can pause at milepost 305.2 to hike the Beacon Heights Trail. The trail is a short one-mile hike, but do not mistake its short length — this trail has big scenic views of landmarks like Grandfather Mountain. At the scenic end of the trail, there is a large, flat rock perfect for taking a rest whilst taking in the views.

For another view of Grandfather Mountain, an easier trail that is a short hike to an excellent view is Flat Rock Trail. A 0.7-mile loop, this trail in the Linville area leads hikers to another flat, wide open rock face to look out upon Grandfather and the surrounding area. The top of Flat Rock is a large outcropping of quartzite with white quartz laced through it, so while most will be marveling at the expansive view, others will also be very pleased to discover natural beauty underfoot at Flat Rock.

Want an outing a little longer? Such hikers can head to Linville Gorge and traverse Hawksbill Trail. This particular trek is a 2.4-mile, or 4.8-mile round trip, popular destination in Jonas Ridge. With an elevation gain of 700 feet, this steep trail climbs through a nice shaded forest to a beautiful, windy bald at the top.

PHOTO BY SKIP SICKLER | GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN STEWARDSHIP FOUNDATION The beautiful rhododendron is a hallmark plant of the area, with the plant distributed over an estimated 30 million hectares of southern Appalachian forests, according to the National Science Foundation.