THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL (AT) TO MT. ROGERS

Labor Day weekend and three days off, what should I do? Hiking a section of the AT from Massie Gap to Mt. Rogers sounds pretty good. My friend Jorge and Bailey, my dog, agrees. Just pass the NC/VA border is Grayson Highland State Park. My daughter Cassie and I made a day trip to the park months ago to see the wild ponies and hiked up to Wilburn Ridge for the 360' panoramic views. Ever sense I wanted to come back and hike the AT to Mt. Rogers. The park charges $2 - $3 per day parking fee. We parked at the backpacking parking lot, loaded up and disappeared down the trail to Massie Gap. At the trailhead of Rhododendron Trail is a kiosk and wooden gate. Ascending up the trail to where the AT intersects the Rhododendron Trail and where a pair of wild ponies were hanging out to greet us. We took a left onto AT Northbound toward Mt. Rogers. About a 1/2 mile is another Kiosk and a turnstile to enter the Mt. Rogers Recreational Area. Following the white blaze markers to the top of Wilburn Ridge and beyond. The trail saddles a rock outcrop and descends to a small gap where a herd of cattle were grazing. The blue skies were spotted with  non-threatening white clouds when we first started. But the gray clouds are slowly rollin our way. Passing a few more outcrops we come upon the AT and Horse Pasture Trail junction. The clouds starts dribbling so we find a hidden campsite at the junction and set up our tents quickly. At the moment we get everything situated the rain releases so we hunker down into our tents listening to the rain pelting our tents. About an hour after the drizzle started two hikers strolls into camp and with a voice of desperation they asks if they can share our campsite. I get out of the tent to investigate. With only about 10 feet of visibility through the fog, I see a young professional couple drenched from head to toe frantically trying to get their tent up. Once the rain and fog subsides and the sky clears a little our new neighbors and I both prepare our dinner. Jorge and I had some re-hydrated rice and chicken while they made some lintel beans. The couple was from Cary, NC with ties to Asheville. The friendly couple then pulls up camp and presses on. We hike up a large outthrust to watch the sun set over distance mountain ranges while another group of young campers shouts out snippets from Lion King on a nearby outcrop. The temperature dropped to around 65' overnight. Great weather for sleeping. When the sun rises again we wake up to a few cows mooing. About 12-15 cows and calves stroll pass our campsite along the trail. After breakfast we jump back on the trail towards Mt. Rogers. The drenching rain made the trail even more challenging. Blackberries are abundant along the trail. The next mile or so consisted of spruce-fur trees, open field, panoramic views, a turnstile, spruce-fur trees, open field, panoramic views, another turnstile, and more spruce-fur trees. Around a bend and out of nowhere was the Thomas Knob Shelter. There we chatted with a guy from Tega Cay, just south of Charlotte. Thomas Knob Shelter is unique with a second floor, a water source, and a pivy nearby. Just pass the shelter was an open field where deer are frequently spotted. Less than a mile further was the summit of Mt. Rogers. Disappointed with the lack of view but satisfied with the accomplishment of reaching the highest point in Virginia at 5729 ft. Heading back down from the summit and a mossy tunnel of dark Spruce trees the unexpected raincloud burst. The closest place to retreat is the Thomas Knob Shelter. With six hikers already there we find our spot out of the rain. Over the next 1/2 hour more hikers pile in adding the total in and around the shelter to 18 hikers. Being wet, dirty, cold, and hungry, Bailey wasn't feeling the love for outdoors at this point. A local hiker stated that it always rain for short spurts around this area. Most of the hikers used this down time to have lunch. Once the rain subsides enough we jump back onto AT Southbound back through the spruce trees, open field, a turnstile, and another open field to a spot near some spruce trees. With the tents back up and dinner eaten ( mac and cheese ), we eventually call it a night. Sometime throughout the night Bailey and I popped out of our tent to take a wiz under the starry sky. The first shooting star I've seen in years. Morning brings the clouds and fog back so no breakfast until after we hike out. On our way out, the rain slams us as we hide in some bushes underneath Jorges' tent tarp. Only lasting 30 minutes this time we hiked out with some intensity.

Hike: 10 Miles

AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD 2

The following are pictures taken from around my neighborhood by getting up and off the couch and going outdoors.

Rainbow

Morning dew on some roses

Morning dew on some roses

Empty and misplaced bird nest

Morning dew on some bushes

Butterfly

First four leaf clover in 20 years or so.

Tree line

Deer and her fawn

Snail desperately trying to cross the road

Lonely mushroom

Blue Heron

Garden spider spinning a web

Centipede racing the snail

DEEP CREEK NEAR BRYSON CITY

Deep Creek is a cascading mountain stream flowing out of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Deep Creek Recreation Area is an area known for great fishing, natural swimming holes, well-maintained hiking trails, dancing waterfalls, and a mile or so of the best whitewater tubing. The one-mile stretch of Deep Creek in the National Park set aside for tubing is divided into two section: The upper section is narrower and offers the most white water. It also provides the most thrilling tubing. The lower section is wider and a bit calmer. It's perfect for younger kids and less-adventurous adults. Many people continue tubing all the way back to the campground, just a half-mile downstream. Between the two sections you'll find one of the best natural swimming holes around. Our family has been enjoying this area for years. This time we reserved a picnic shelter to celebrate the fact that my brother-in-law completed his Doctrine. Everyone helped set up the smorgasbord of food while Dad and I maintained the grill. Filled with hamburgers and Nathans' dogs everyone scattered to the creek for some tubing and fishing. I decided to follow the well-marked trail up to Juneywhank Falls and then loop back around to the shelter. Deep Creek has a total of three waterfalls: Juneywhank Falls (80 ft), Tom Branch Falls, and Indian Creek Falls (20 ft). The Tom Branch Falls splashes over 80 ft into Deep Creek and the one-mile tubing section. I could never find the Indian Creek Falls. The campground is open from early April until late October. Group camping is also available. There are several designated backcountry campsites along Deep Creek Trail but by permit only. Deep Creek Recreation Area has all the amenities you need for your next mountain vacation. 

Juneywhank Falls (80 ft)

Old Bear Trap

JORDAN LAKE STATE PARK

Jordan Lake State Park was my final destination for the weekend after visiting Mayo River State Park and Haw River State Park earlier part of the day. Jordan Lake State Park operates nine recreation areas on and around the lake -- Crosswinds Campground, Ebenezer Church, Parker's Creek, Poplar Point, Seaforth, Vista Point, Robeson Creek, New Hope Overlook, and White Oak Recreation Area. After talking to the lady at the visitor center she recommended Parker's Creek for a non-electric tent site. Jordan Lake State Park offers over 1000 campsites. The hard part is deciding which campsite of the 250 sites at Parker's Creek to choose from. Loop A had the fewest campers and some great waterfront sites. Sweltering in the heat, Bailey and I took advantage of small sandy beach in front of our site and cooled off swimming in the lake. Jordan Lake was nearly as crowded as a NY sidewalk. Waves crashing onto the banks like a mini ocean. Bailey was chasing every wave. The hour or so rain shower dissipates nearly all activities on the lake. Bailey and I retreat to the tent. Once the rain stops and dinner is cooked I pulled up a camp chair to the edge of the lake, scarf down dinner and watched a gorgeous sunset. Daylight brings ham and eggs breakfast, a walk around Loop A, and observing deer tromping around in the woods. I would definitely visit Jordan Lake State Park again.

HAW RIVER STATE PARK

After visiting Mayo River State Park for a few hours I drove about 30 minutes down the road to Haw River State Park. Never visited Haw River State Park before I assumed it would be similar to all the other State Parks I visited in the past, not the case. Haw River State Park was a Retreat and Conference Center originally owned by the Episcopal Diocese. Catering more toward the Environmental Education and Conference Center and not really to the public, Haw River State Park is a unique facility. However, Haw River State Park has acquired a vast amount of land for developing a more traditional park with the amenities we are accustomed to for a State Park. The park does offer several small hiking trails and a 6-acre lake for fishing and canoeing. I took my chances and hiked some of the trails; the Lake Loop Trail, River Overlook Trail and the Piedmont Loop Trail. The River Overlook Trail is a mile out-in-back boardwalk trail through the wetlands. This trail was a surprise for me to see the wet marsh, plant-life, and an abundant amount of colorful fire-flies swarming around. Haw River State Park will be a park I'll wait to visit again after the development of the new section.

Hike: 2.2 Miles

MAYO RIVER STATE PARK

Upon my quest to visit all 41 NC State Parks, I visited Mayo River State Park yesterday. Although the park is in its' infancy stage of the parks masterplan Mayo River State Park still has a lot to offer including two fishing ponds, picnic areas, a picnic shelter with a huge fireplace, restroom facilities, a .5 mile short loop trail (red) and a 1.8 mile longer loop trail (blue). The longer loop trail is an easily marked trail that takes you deep into the woods along a well maintained ATV style trail. The forest has very little underbrush creating a nice picturesque hike. Early into the hike you will see an old abandoned homestead on the left of the trail. Underneath the blanket of canopy are massive tree trunks stretching high toward the sky fighting for the suns' attention. The trail eventually follows the creek that feeds the two fishing ponds before closing the loop. Bailey enjoyed chasing the frogs and turtles back into the ponds. The Mayo River, which is not in the park itself, has been a draw for paddlers alike. Eventually the Mayo River State Park will encompass sections of the Mayo River offering even more amenities. The NC Division of Parks and Recreations has pictures of two scenic waterfalls posted but I couldn't locate them. I believe they are on the Mayo River and the future section of the park.


Hike: 1.8 Miles