Gorge State Park

Gorge State Park is one of the newer State Parks when development began in Spring of 2007. Encompassing nearly 7,500 acres, Gorge State Park is the only state park west of Asheville. The state of the art visitor center had its' grand opening Oct. 12th with a moderately showing of support from the community. Future plans for the park includes additional trails and a camp ground. Gorge State Park currently offers two picnic shelters, hiking trails, mountain bike trails, equestrian trails, two primitive campgrounds, great fishing along the Toxaway River and Bearwallow Creek, boating in the Jocassee Lake, scenic views, and some spectacularly scenic waterfalls, some with easy access and some off-trail searching. Along the west border lies the Horsepasture River, a Federal Wild & Scenic River and a State Natural & Scenic River. Gorge State Park receives an excess of 80+ inches per year that feeds the streams for cascading waterfalls. To get to Gorge State Park from Charlotte, NC. take I-85 to NC 74W to US 26 connect onto NC 64W then finally NC 281. The drive is about 2 hours and 45 minutes but well worth the trip.

Speaking of a well worth trip, I invited my Dad to go on an extended weekend backpacking trip to Gorge State Park for some primitive camping. I made the reservations online at www.reserveamerica.com. Playing hooky from work, I left Charlotte early friday, around 7:30 am, for the 3 hour drive to Sapphire, NC. I arrived at the trailhead around 10:30, two hours earlier than the meeting time. So eager to get started, I headed down the .75 mile trail with my backpack. Once you see the turkey fetch blanketing the forest floor you have arrived. The primitive campground has 8 campsites equipped with a tent pad, fire ring, picnic table, lantern hook, a catfish pond, an informational kiosk, and a privy. (Warning: no water). After dropping my pack and going around stealing firewood from all the other empty campsites, Bailey and I headed back up the trail to meet dad at our meeting time, 12:30 pm. I was pleasantly surprised to see him gathering his gear in the parking lot after just hiking out. Usually, he's a few hours late. Helping dad carry some gear back down the trail, smelling the galax along the trail. We then settle in for a weekend of camping and fishing. Two young couples moved in two sites down. I was hoping we would have the campground all to our selves. The darkness of the night came quick. After a few shots of Wild Turkey and staring into the campfire for a few hours it's time for bed. Crisp mountain air, 50' chill, and zero critters wrestling makes for a nice night of snoring. Bailey even got in on the act. After breakfast ( sausage from Warren Wilson College, grits, toast and sausage gravy ) we decided to hike out for some much needed water. On the way out of the park we encountered two tom turkeys running around under the protection of the state park. Back in the park and with fishing poles in hand we branch off our usual trail toward the scenic Horsepasture River. This river reminds me of Santeelah River but double the volume of water. This 4 mile scenic river provides a lot of pools for fly-fishing. We headed upstream toward the Rainbow Falls and Turtleback Falls. Back at our campsite, empty-handed, it's time for a relaxing nap in my ENO hammock with Bailey by my side. This hammock is sooo comfortable. After an afternoon nap I watched dad catch a few catfish out of the pond. All 8 campsites are full now. After more Wild Turkey, a bigger fire, and a night of snoring comes Sunday morning. Packed up and back in the parking lot we say our goodbyes. I still have some hiking in me so off to Bearwallow Falls. Next, nine miles down the road and into Pisgah National Forest, another hike up to Whitewater Falls, the highest falls east of Mississippi. Ending a perfect weekend outdoors.

Only two more state parks left to complete my 2012 goal: Chimney Rock State Park and Grandfather Mountain State Park.

WNC Parks: 13                                Miles: 9 miles                           Turkeys: 2

WILD TURKEYS

VIEW FROM VISITORS CENTER

VIEW FROM VISITOR CENTER

ROAD SNAKING DOWN THE HILL

CAMPSITE #3 AT RAY FISHER PRIMITIVE CAMPGROUND

RAY FISHER PRIMITIVE CAMPGROUND

CATFISH POND

LUNCH TIME

DAD FISHING A WATER HOLE

FLY-FISHING HORSEPASTURE RIVER

SCENIC RAINBOW FALLS

RAINBOW FALLS

TURTLEBACK FALLS

RELAXING IN MY ENO HAMMOCK

TURKEY FETCH

WHITEWATER FALLS

MOUNTAIN VIEW

MOUNTAIN VIEW

UPPER BEARWALLOW FALLS

CANOEING ON MOUNTAIN ISLAND LAKE

It's the beginning of Fall and such a wonderful day with blue skies and a cool breeze. I just bought a Pelican Explorer DLX canoe a few days ago and am very anxious to try it out. So today, going home from work I call up (or really text) my daughter to see if she wanted to get out on the water.  She has been studying all day and needed a break. We loaded up the canoe and drove to Latta Plantation at a favorite spot Bailey and I like to go for an afternoon swim ( Bailey swims and I watch ). We drop the canoe into the motionless water. I've seldom seen this lake so still and smooth. Cassie gets in the canoe first and then I get in but Bailey isn't convinced. After struggling with my dog to jump into the canoe and actually staying in the canoe, we shove off to deeper waters. Paddling around the first bend, we interrupt a fisherman out in his boat casting along the shoreline. Just pass the fisherman was a blue heron perched in some trees scouting for his dinner. Oops we got too close so he takes flight around the next bend. There are schools of fish jumping everywhere. Wish I had my fishing pole with me. The blue heron is taking advantage of this opportunity diving in the waters with great precision but then clumsily takes flight again. We paddle around the lake for a little while but then turn back toward the shoreline. Cassie has to get back to meet up with Brandon and Bailey was getting very anxious to get back as well. So we loaded back up and headed out of Latta Plantation. But before we left a huge hawk with beautiful markings swooped down across the road about 20 ft in front of us. This has been a great day for me just to do some kind of an outdoor activity with my daughter, even for just a few hours.

Help me! I'm lost

The Blue Heron in the trees over Cassie's right shoulder

The Blue Heron in flight

MY NEW CANOE

Just bought my new canoe. Can't wait to get out on the water.

A Pelican Explorer!

ELK KNOB STATE PARK

After visiting Mount Jefferson State Park in the morning I headed toward Elk Knob State Park to complete my State Park trilogy for the weekend. Turning right off Meat Camp Road into the park you'll drive up a wide well maintained gravel road to a large parking lot. A little further down the gravel road is a nice picnic area. At the large parking lot is the registration kiosk for primitive campsites, a port-a-potty, and the Elk Knob Summit Trailhead. Water bottle in hand I headed up the 1.8 mile trail. This trail is well marked, well maintained with several switchbacks to the summit. At the top go left to South View or right to North View. Not a lot of amenities but this State Park has great potential. Hiking back down the trail I heard American robins and the loud, cheerful chattering sounds of Carolina Wren. Back in the parking lot Bailey and I had a late lunch before heading back to Charlotte. On the way out of the park I encountered a wild turkey. What a nice weekend this has been.

WNC Park: 12                   Miles: 3.6

Trailhead for Elk Knob Summit Trail (1.8 miles)

A sneak peak out of the forest

North View

Carolina Saxifrage

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