A DAY HIKE AT ANDREW JACKSON STATE PARK

Within the 360 acres of Andrew Jackson State Park lies the presidential homplace of the 7th President of the United States of America. The park has an Andrew Jackson museum with Revolutionary War artifacts as well as Andrew Jackson artifacts, an 18th-century replica schoolhouse, and "The boy of the Waxhaws" statue. In addition, Andrew Jackson State Park provides a 25 campsite campground, primitive group camping, 2 picnic shelters, a nice playground, two one-mile hiking trails, an 18-acres lake, a fishing pier, and a boat dock for boat rentals. Andrew Jackson State Park is only 30 miles south of Charlotte. Follow I-485 to Hwy 521/Johnson Rd, AJSP is about 12 miles past the South Carolina border on the left. There is a small fee of $2.00.

With a late start this Sunday, I arrived at the park at 1:30pm. There was a moderate crowd within the park, most were picnicking. Bailey and I started down the one-mile Crawford Loop Trail, a relatively flat trail going deep into the woods pass the primitive group campsite then back out. I then explored the homestead area before heading to the other trail. Garden of the Waxhaw Loop Trail hugs the 18-acres lake. This trail is engulfed with many Red Oaks competing to be the tallest tree in the forest. Not as stout in structure were the Dogwoods, American Holly, and the Red Cedars. Beware of the Southern Black Racer snake hanging out along the trail. Tossed a line in the lake for some bass, bream, or even a catfish. After about an hour of fishing I realized I was in South Carolina and without a South Carolina fishing license. I pulled in my line and called it a day. Andrew Jackson State Park is a nice nearby park for an afternoon of outdoor activities.

WNC Parks: 13 (AJSP doesn't count)               Miles: 2

Andrew Jackson State Park, SC

Primitive Group Campsite

"The boy of the Waxhaws" statue

A birdhouse

18th-Century replica schoolhouse

18-acres lake

View from the fishing pier

View off the Garden of the Waxhaws Trail

Garden of the Waxhaws Trail

Southern Black Racer snake

Ducks

Lake in Andrew Jackson State Park

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