Lake James State Park

Only 98 miles away, Lake James State Park is a great getaway from Charlotte, NC. Lake James State Park has two main tributaries; the Paddy's Creek and the Catawba River. Driving around in the Paddy's Creek area you will be welcomed by a cool wood constructed bridge, a swimming and picnic areas, easy access to shore fishing along Lake James, and a nice scenic view of Linville Gorge, Shortoff Mountain, and in the distance Table Rock. I saw a family of deer as well. Within the Catawba River area is where the primitive tent camping is located. Site 4 is absolutely the best camp site with an awesome view and being secluded. After packing in three bundles of firewood (NC wood) for a 1/4 mile, I learned that LJSP offers $3 for all you can burn firewood only 20 yards away from the campsite. I hiked the Lake Channel Overlook Trail ( .5 miles ) and the Sandy Cliffs Overlook Trail ( 1.5 miles ). Going off trail I found a nice beach area where Bailey can go crazy running around like mad. It's now 6pm and Dad just arrived. After an inch thick pork chop, beans, and mash potatoes, it's time to kick back by the fire and enjoy the star lit night. I slept pretty good even with dad snoring a little, Bailey warming my feet inside my sleeping bag, and a cool breeze blowing inside the tent. Dad gets up to hot water boiling, a fire going, and breakfast already started. We then go exploring some nearby sights where my Dad grew up as a teenager. Now it's time to go fishing. I have to say this is a wonderful way to spend the weekend.

Total: 4 miles                                  WNC Parks: 5                                  Deer: 3

Three Deer

Paddy's Creek heading into Lake James

Wood Constructed Bridge

Linville Gorge, Shortoff Mtn, Table Rock

View from Campsite 4

Bailey on the beach area

Bailey off the chain

Campsite 4

Shortoff Mtn

Fishing

Bailey swimming and Dad sleeping

Paddy's Creek

Deer

Me

Pilot Mountain State Park

Woke up early this morning needing something to do. Why not Pilot Mountain? Two hours later and I've reached the summit of Pilot Mountain State Park. The parking lot is about half full of visitors enjoying the sunny but chilly day. Bailey and I starts off at Little Pinnacle Overlook. The views are breathtaking. Next we head to the Big Pinnacle on the Jomeokee Trail (.8 miles). This trail is pretty cool. It's a loop trail around the base of Big Pinnacle with some spectacular rock formations and rock overhangs jetting out over the trail. Then the Ledge Spring Trail (2.2 miles) for a more strenuous loop hike. This trail spurs off Jomeokee Trail down along the base of the rock face where everyone apparently goes to rock climb. There is a shortcut called Three Bear Gulley that is practically a vertical trail up 30 ft of rock that is passable without a rope and harness and cuts the trail in half but I didn't take it. The last part of this trail is switchbacks going up about 1000 ft in elevation. I thought I was doing pretty good passing people on the trail and not getting passed except for a mother-daughter team going the opposite direction lapped me twice on the trail. Pilot Mountain SP has two parts, the mountain area and the Yadkin River area. Bailey and I explored everywhere around the summit of Pilot Mountain SP for the most part so now it's time to head over to the Yadkin River area about 10 miles away ( yes, we drive). When we got there we headed down the Yadkin Island Trail for about 2 miles in. We were looking for the river but somehow got onto the Bridle Trail instead which took Bailey and I the wrong direction. Running out of time, we turned around and headed back before the sun settled for the night. Now back to Charlotte. Visit a State Park near you soon. They have a lot to offer.

Total: 7 miles                                        WNC State Parks: 4                               Wild Turkey: 1

Big Pinnacle

View from the lower part of Ledge Spring Trail

The Shortcut is at the left of the sign

On my way back from the Yadkin River portion of the SP

Raven with a large wing span perched on top of the rock

Lower part of the Ledger Spring Trail

King's Pinnacle

After spending a nice weekend with my mom in Hendersonville for her birthday, I stopped by Crowder's Mountain State Park on the way back to Charlotte for a day hike. I've hiked every trail in CMSP except for the Ridgeline Trail (6.2 miles) and the Pinnacle Trail (1.7 miles). Only having time for the Pinnacle Trail, I headed up to King's Pinnacle. The view on top of King's Pinnacle is even better than the top of Crowder's Mountain. The trail is moderately difficult, well marked, with around 1700 ft. in elevation. Added a spur trail to check out the family campground (.4 miles) and group campground (+.2 miles). The campsites are spread out nicely under a blanket of trees. Each site has a fire ring, picnic table, tent pads, and a trash can. Note to self, nice place for future camping.

Total: 4.6 Miles

Winter Camping @ Morrow Mountain State Park
The game plan was to leave for Morrow Mountain around 8am Saturday morning but that didn't happen. Instead, I overslept and didn't get a chance to leave until noon. When does anything go according to timelines or game plans? Morrow Mountain State Park is only 55 miles away, makes for an easy weekend getaway. Upon entering the park I was greeted by the welcoming comity, a group of deer in the roadway. How cool is that? The campground was totally empty except for one site occupied by a father and a 2yr old. Site 87 on loop C away from everything and lots of sunlight will do. Camp's set up and ready to go. Now it's time to go scrounging for firewood. It's going to be a cold night. Luckily, when people camp out during winter they bring plenty of firewood and leave the extras for fellow campers. After collecting firewood I return with another welcoming comity, two more deer. Shrimp, mussels, and rotini noodles in a garlic cream sauce for dinner. After hours of gazing at a big campfire, bundling to keep warm, pointing out the big and little dipper, listening to the rustling of critters in the forest, it's time for bed. Surveying the forest with a flashlight resulted five pairs of glowing eyes looking back at me, more deer. Seriously, all you can see is the eyes and right before bed. Damn, 27 degrees makes for a COLD night. Another big fire and blueberry pancakes for breakfast starts the day off. If only I drink coffee. Now I am offended. Bailey buried his dog food, supper last night, and now my pancakes, what up? First, Falls Mountain Loop Trail and then Morrow Mountain Loop Trail and then bolonga sandwiches. Bailey has no problems eating that. Now it's time to pack up and head home.

Total:  5.5 miles                    State Parks: 3                   Deer: 29

My New Red Cloud 90!

This is for my planned trip to hike the Art Loeb Trail in April. Can't wait.

Hitting the Trails @ Latta Plantation Nature Preserve

Bailey really likes it at Latta Plantation Nature Preserve. Every time I take him he gets so excited and wants to jump out of the truck before we even get parked. We usually have hit the beach area so he can get into the Mountain Island Lake and get wet first. Then we'll hit the Cattail Loop Trail around the cove. This time we had plenty of time to hit the Audubon Trail, Buzzard Rock Trail, Laura's Trail, Treasure Tree Trail, Beechwood Trail, and part of the Catawba Trail. Now it's time for a nap.

Total: 6-7 Miles