SOUTH MOUNTAIN STATE PARK

Packed up and ready to go, I take off to South Mountain State Park. Only 50 miles from Charlotte, South Mountain State Park offers a spectacular 80 ft waterfall, miles of great streams for trout fishing, primitive camping, and 40 miles of marked hiking trails. Today, the plan is to hike up Chestnut Knob Trail to connect with Sawtooth Trail and onto Sawtooth Trail Campsite #3 for the weekend. The Chestnut Knob Trail is a strenuous trail ascending up the ridge with several switchbacks. At .7 miles take the 250 ft spur trail to Jacob Fork River Gorge Outlook for a breather. Then proceed back to the top of the ridge. On the ridge, the trail splits with Sawtooth Trail to the right and Chestnut Knob Outlook .2 miles to the left. Another .7 miles down Sawtooth Trail the blanket of trees open up to a hidden meadow with three campsites. Campsite #3 is at the bottom of the meadow. In my haste to put my plan into action I forgot to eat anything and to drink my morning caffeine so my energy was pretty low. Before I set up camp I indulged in a dehydrated ice cream sandwich from REI. Unbelievably this dry snack was somewhat tasty. It didn't help my caffeine headache.  The tents up, fire started and the water in the Jetboil is boiling for dinner, Mountain House dehydrated Beef Stroganoff. Now here comes the rain so retreating to the tent for the night and very early might I add. Listening to the rain tapping on tent is quite soothing. Adding to the symphony is a persistent woodpecker, a boisterous owl, an orchestra of chirping crickets, and a dog snoring. Woke up around 4am to a well lit tent and questioning why. So I rustled out of the tent to a bright moon and stars. Morning arrived quickly. The wood is too wet for a fire. Mountain House dehydrated Breakfast Skillet on a wrap for breakfast. Packed up and heading back down the trail. The birds are sounding the alarm that there's a stranger in their forest. Back at the parking lot I traded the backpack for my fly-rod and hit the stream for a few miles of fishing. On my way home I stop at the closest store for a coke.

Miles: 6                            WNC Parks: 9                        Deer: 0                   Fish: 2 (but no keepers)                                    

Jacob Fork River Gorge Overlook

Chestnut Knob Overlook

Sawtooth Campsites

Out House

Campsite #3

Jacob Fork River

High Shoals Falls (80 ft)

Fly-fishing

High Shoals Loop Trail

Wild Trout Regulations

South Mountain State Park