MOUNT JEFFERSON STATE PARK

Just left New River State Park and headed for Mount Jefferson State Park. Driving up the windy road to the top of Mount Jefferson I spotted a hawk feasting on an unlucky snake. The sun shining, the breeze was blowing and the temperature has dropped about 10 degrees. If I didn't know any better I would have thought it was a beautiful fall day. Bailey and I started up the Summit Trail passing through the picnic area and two 80+ yr old ladies having nice McDonald's breakfast under the Rhododendrons and oak/chestnut trees. At the summit and beyond the radar tower one can peak through the trees for a nice view. Or hike over to the Rhododendron Trail (1.1 mile) to the Luther Rock Overlook for an even better view. Here, you see for miles. On the way back connect onto the Lost Province Loop Trail (1 mile) for an extended hike back to the parking lot. The cool breeze is just so comfortable. Not a lot of amenities but nice views at an altitude of 4,683 ft. This park is mostly for local use. With only limited amenities ( picnic area, restrooms, and hiking trails ), I wouldn't travel the 2.5 hours just to visit Mount Jefferson State Park.

WNC Parks: 11                 Miles: 2.4

Mount Jefferson State Park

Elevation 4683 ft

An overlook going up to Mt. Jefferson

Top of Summit Trail

View from Luther Rock

NEW RIVER STATE PARK

It was 6am Saturday and on my way up I-77 to New River State Park for the weekend. I stopped off at a local gas station near Cherry Lane and received some "good morning" pleasantries by two separate individuals. I then proceeded to stop off in Sparta for some last minute groceries and received even more "good morning" pleasantries. Driving down US-221S, I received the back country one finger wave from nearly everyone I encountered on the road. Leaving Charlotte I was the recipient of the  middle finger for a minor traffic infraction. And that is the difference between the city life and the back country. New River State Park has a drive-in campground and a walk-in/canoe-in campground. The drive-in campground seems to cater more toward the RV style camping, not for me. Even after getting to the park early, I was pretty fortunate to get Campsite #30, the last available site in both campgrounds. New River State Park is very popular so make reservations before you go. The walk-in campsites are equipped with a fire ring, a picnic table, lantern hook, and a grassy area for the tents. New River State Park even supplies wheelbarrows to carry loads the 250 ft walk-in. The river was crystal clear and flowing quite well. Especially after a heavy rain Friday night. After wading in the cool mountain river, Bailey and I hit the trails. First, the River Run Trail (1.4 miles) runs parallel with the water for the first part then goes back into the forest and connects onto the Hickory Loop Trail (1 mile) back to the parking lot. Make sure you stop once in a while and look around otherwise you might miss some wildlife like a white tail deer watching you through the trees on a few yards away. The weather was sunny with no humidity and a cool breeze sweeping through the forest. Back at camp resting, my camp neighbors came up to greet Bailey and I. They were from Charlotte as well as the drive-in campground host who sold me my firewood. Now that I rested and filled up with lunch I tried my hand at some fly-fishing. Only fished for a couple hours due to all the waiting for canoes, kayaks, and tubes floating lazily down the river and the baptism happening in a promising fish hole. Surrounded by mountains the sun goes down fairly early so back to camp to start a crackling fire and light up the JetBoil for some tasty cheeseburgers. Kids running and playing tag up and down the walk. A large group of canoe-in campers arrived to their reserved campsite. One guy had a massive Great Dane that came in on a canoe. Dishes washed and everything put up so now it's time to kick back and relax before bed. Bailey's already in the tent asleep. It's time to join the mutt. Bacon and eggs consumed, showered and teeth brushed, now all packed up and ready to go to my next location.

WNC Park: 10                      Miles: 2.4                        Deer: 2

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

KAYAKING ON LAKE NORMAN

It was mid-afternoon when I met my daughter up at Lake Norman. We pulled out the Old Town tandem kayak and dragged it to the dock. We drop it into the lake sending two mallards in flight toward a quieter destination. The sun is piercing and the water is a comfortable 80+ degrees, at least it's wet. After a few clumsy strokes hitting each others paddles we get right into rhythm and start rowing like a couple of pros. On our way out of the cove we encounter two curious turtles poking their heads out of the water watching us row by, and a school of fish splashing around on top of the water. A third turtle peaks out of the water with a golf ball size head. The water was a little wavy with boats passing by but pretty clear up to about 5 feet deep. On my way home I encountered a Blue Heron fishing quite successfully. This was a great outing spending time with my daughter out on the lake. We must do this again.

BASE CAMPING!

If you want to combine your love of camping with your need for relaxation, try base camping. Base or car camping is a great way to enjoy some of the joys of camping without having to carry all your equipment with you. All you have to do is pack up your camping gear, find a scenic campsite, and enjoy the comforts of a home-away-from-home.

Base camping is a more relaxing form of camping than survival type camping or backpacking. However, it is more rustic than RV camping. All you need to take on your base camping trip are your basic camping essentials. You can choose the degree of comfort you wish to enjoy during your trip.

The basic supplies you will need are; a tent large enough to comfortably fit the entire family, sleeping bags, camp stove, food and cooking equipment, wood for the campfire, and a lantern. For a more comfortable base camp you can bring along sleeping pads, an air mattress or even cots. If you have room in your car you can also pack lawn chairs, utensils, plates, cups, a bin to do dishes, and some dish soap. You can bring as much or as little as you choose, just as long as you make sure you bring what you need to be safe during your trip.

Base camping gives you a chance to set up a camp that acts as a home, while taking day trips and hikes. This type of camping allows you to leave your tent set up at your campsite each day. When you are backpacking, you have to pack all of your supplies with you throughout your trip. Base camping allows you to take a much more leisurely trip.

When getting ready for a base camping trip you need to select an appropriate campsite in the area you are planning to visit. If you are visiting a national park you can make a reservation for a campsite for the duration of your stay. Campgrounds provide all kinds of amenities, from restrooms with showers to providing educational events.

Base camping allows you to leave many of your camping essentials at your site when you leave for your day of adventure, but you need to make sure that your belongings remain safe. Make sure you don't leave any valuables behind when you leave. It is best not to bring any valuables that you don't plan on carrying with you at all times. Many parks warn not to leave valuables in your car for the day either. It is always prudent to plan ahead and save yourself potential headaches.  Leave extra credit cards at home, and don't bring any equipment you aren't willing to either lose or store somewhere safe.

Next time you plan a camping trip, try out base camping. You will have a wonderful time having new adventures with the knowledge that you have a comfy tent and campfire waiting for you at the end of the day. Base camping can be as relaxing or as difficult as you would like. Enjoy exploring the wilds of America from the comfort of your home-away-from-home when you next go camping.

Camping.com

STONE MOUNTAIN STATE PARK

It's 5 o'clock Friday and I just got off work ready to head out for a weekend of camping with my Dad, my sister Wesley, and my two awesome nieces Owen and Barrett. Oh, and Lilly (their dog) and my dog Bailey. We are camping at Stone Mountain State Park, NC (not Georgia) this weekend. Wes and Dad hasn't been there for years. Since then, SMSP has added Loop B for RV's, Loop C for additional tent camping, and an extra restroom facility. Stone Mountain State Park is about 1.5 hours away from Charlotte making for a nice getaway site for the weekend. You simply go up I-77 N to exit 83/Hwy 21 N then 13 miles to Traphill Road/State Road 1002 then turn left and go 4 more miles to John P Frank Parkway and turn right straight to the parks gates. I arrived around 8 pm about a half hour after they got there. After everything gets set up Dad and I take a walk down pass the campground entrance to check out two fields where we might see some deer. The first field was empty but by the time we get to the second field it becomes dark so we spotlight the field (not for hunting/just viewing) and see 12 sets of red eyes glowing in the dark. I woke up around 3 am to the start of some heavy, heavy rain. Bailey wakes me up around 6 am to go out, so we take a walk around the campground and observe a few more deer looking for food. Dad is now up making his famous omelettes. They are really good. The girls are ready to jump into a creek or river so we ride over to Willow Falls and play in the water for awhile. The sun is shining and the water is cool. We head over to the nearest country store for some ice cream. Owen tries to catch a blue tail lizard on the porch steps while Barrett chats up a little boy. Dad and I try our hand at some fly-fishing for a few hours. No luck, only 2 horny heads.  Dinners on the grill, BBQ Ribs, grilled corn on the cob, fried potatoes and onions. Now back for our walk to check out more deer. We find a few more and a raspberry patch as well. It's roasting marshmallow time. Bailey and I slept like two babies Saturday night. Sunday morning breakfast consisted of pancakes, eggs over easy, and sausage patties. Then pack up and head home to an end of a very NICE weekend with family.

WNC Park: 8

Woodpecker (photo by Wesley Satterwhite)

Owen & Barrett at Willow Falls (photo by Wesley Satterwhite)

Owen at the Homestead (photo by Wesley Satterwhite)

Deer (photo by Wesley Satterwhite)

Deer Field (photo by Wesley Satterwhite)

Campsite #22 (photo by Wesley Satterwhite)

Rib Dinner (photo by Wesley Satterwhite)

Stone Mountain in Fall

Stone Mountain in Fall

Stone Mountain in Fall

U.S. NATIONAL WHITEWATER CENTER

The US National Whitewater Center is the worlds largest man-made whitewater river providing exciting rafting and kayaking adventures on Class II, III, and IV rapids. USNWC is home to many different water and land activities including but not limited to whitewater kayaking and rafting, flatwater kayaking, SUP, zip-lines, adventure courses, rock climbing, mountain biking, and 14 miles of trails on nearly 400 acres. Parking cost $5. You can purchase an AllSport pass, a QuickSport pass, a CoolSport pass or a Canopy Tour pass depending on what activities your participating. The trail systems is free to hikers, runners, and mountain bikers provided you bring your own bike. Today, I hiked the 3.5 mile Lake Loop Trail that meanders around several ponds. I recommend you buy a trail map and follow the trails opposite the directional arrows so you are facing oncoming bikers. This trail is labeled moderately difficult but is easily marked and well worn out so you absolutely can't get lost. The Lake Loop Trail provides an especially scenic hike with blackberry bushes, honey suckles bushes, a cool bamboo forest, thick forest canopy, four ponds, a black snake, and a raccoon crossing the trail. The Channel Loop hugs the river around the park. It was exciting to watch the rafters and kayakers splashing down the rapids.