Outdoor Recreation - Hiking
Outdoor Recreation - Hiking
Sunday, 01 June 2008 15:06
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Hiking
Introduction:
Being involved in the outdoors seems to come naturally to some living in Western North Carolina. It has been apart of many people's lives for a long time. Having one of the most prestigious hiking trails, the Appalachian Trail, travel through the mountains of North Carolina encourages many to get out there and go hiking just to say they have been on one trail. There are many other hiking trails within an hours drive of WCU.
History and Organizations
It's hard to give a history on hiking because it has been going on so long. Walking at any great distance can be considered as hiking, though we tend to limit that definition to being a walk or march over a great distance through rural areas, for pleasure, exercise, military training, or the like.
There is however, some history of the clubs and organizations that have been started by those who enjoy hiking in the great outdoors, such as the Carolina Mountain Club (CMC) which was started in 1923 as a spin-off of an earlier outdoor club. It was the Southern Chapter of the Appalachian Club, which chiefly focused on maintaining cabins in the White Mountains of New Hampshire for the use of its members.
The CMC, in 1931, was strengthened when it united with the Carolina Appalachian Trail Club that was founded in 1930 to complete sections of the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) in the NC and TN regions. At that time they had about 60 members with 25-30 active. If you'd like to know more visit www.carolinamtnclub.com
Another great area to research the history of hiking is to learn about the great A.T. (Appalachian Trail). Benton MacKaye was the first to visualize the long distance, multi-state trail in 1921. At that time it was part of project in regional planning; a proposal by MacKaye for a network of work camps and communities in the mountains that would be linked together by one trail that would run from the highest point in New England to the highest point in the South. To learn more about the A.T. go to www.appalachiantrail.org
One last great resource for examining the history of hiking and the men and women involved is to watch a DVD called "Mystery of George Masa." George Masa was a Japanese immigrant whose hiking, exploration, and photography was instrumental in the founding of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the mapping and building of the Appalachian Trail during the 1920's and 30's. You can purchase this remarkable DVD at www.bonesteelfilms.com/masa.html
Hiking Trail Information
Whiteside Mountain
Directions: From Cashiers (intersection of NC 107 and US 64), drive 4.7 miles West on US 64, turn left on Whiteside Mountain Road (SR 1690) at brown "Whiteside Mountain Trail" sign. Continue 1.1 miles passing Wildcat Cliffs Country Club on right, turn left into gravel parking lot.
Travel time: 45 to 50 minutes depending on traffic.
Trail Characteristics: Easy 2 mile loop along the Eastern Continental Divide to 4,930 ft and highest vertical drop (750 ft) in Eastern US. Be very careful of the drop-offs.
Trail Directions: At trail head, trail splits. Take the right side of the split for a strenuous hike to take the left side split for a moderate hike.
Rating: 9 out of 10. This trail offers something for everyone. Take one route for a strenuous hike or take the alternate route for a moderate hike. Very pretty views. Likely to see local wildlife and birds.
WARNING: This trail has sudden drop-offs with vertical cliffs of more than 500 feet.
Panthertown Trails
Directions: From campus, turn left onto 107 towards Cashiers. At main light (US 64) turn left. Travel 1.8 miles and turn on Cedar Creek Road (SR 1120) on left. Take Cedar Creek Road 2.3 miles to Breedlove Road on right. Take Breedlove Road 3.5 miles to Forest Service Gate.
Travel time: Between 55 minutes to 1 hour and 5 minutes, depending on weather and traffic.
Trail Characteristic: Depending on the route you choose, trails range from easy to strenuous. Offers great views and spectacular overlooks. Stop by the WCU bookstore to purchase a map of Panthertown before hiking to ensure directions.
Trail Directions: At Salt Rock Gap trail head, follow the main trail until the trail splits. This is a very dangerous part of Panthertown due to ease of getting lost. Follow a map closely and bring someone who has experience in hiking.
Rating: 10 out of 10. Panthertown offers much more then most people think. With its breath taking views, ease of travel directions and the all around atmosphere of Panthertown, this is by far the best place to hike near WCU.
Pinnacle Park
Directions: From Sylva (Exit 85) Drive East on Us 23/74 for 0.5 miles turn left on Steeple Road for 0.2 miles until dead-end at Old Asheville Highway. Turn left, continue for 0.6 miles, and turn right on Fisher Creek Road. Continue 5 miles until dead-end at Park entrance.
Travel Time: Approximately 15 minutes.
Trail Characteristic: 3-4 hrs., 6-7 miles of strenuous unmarked trail, up hill most of the way to the Pinnacle, downhill on the return, with a spectacular 270 degree view of Cullowhee, Webster, and Sylva from the pinnacle (beware of sharp drop off)
Trail Directions: Hike straight up the trail behind the iron gate. Stay on the main trail, and cross creek twice early on. After an hour or so, cross numerous feeder streams and pass cascading waterfall on left. 5- 10 minutes after the waterfall, take the trail to the left. Trail bears left again at a small clearing on Pinnacle Ridge leading out to overlook.
Rating: 7 out of 10. The view is gorgeous. For the experienced hiker, this trail is not bad. For the inexperienced hiker this trail can be difficult.
Waterrock Knob
Directions: From Sylva (Exit 85) drive east on US 23/74 for 8.9 miles, turn left, enter the Blue Ridge Parkway, proceed in direction of Great Smoky Mountain National Park, go 0.8 miles past Milepost 450, turn right into Waterrock Knob parking area.
Travel Time: Between 30 and 40 minutes
Trail Characteristics: 2.4 miles round trip. Fairly steep hiking to 6,292 foot peak. Extraordinary view of the Smoky Mountains along trail and at summit.
Directions: Trail begins at right rear corner of parking lot and is paved at start.
Rating: 8 out of 10. Very difficult trial to hike, however, the view of the Smoky Mountains is breath-taking.
Mountain-to-Sea Trail
Directions: From Sylva (Exit 85) drive east on Us 23/74 for 8.9 miles, turn left, enter the Blue Ridge Parkway, proceed in direction of Asheville. Trail parallels Blue Ridge Parkway, enter trail at small sign just east of the intersection of US 23/74 and Balsam View Drive near the Balsam Ranger Station.
Travel Time: Between 25 and 30 minutes.
Trail Characteristics: This trail offers many access points all across North Carolina starting in Western mountains and continuing to the coast. This particular section of trail offers an easy refreshing hike. Hiking distance can be determined by the hiker; however, no more then 3 to 4 miles are suggested because of strenuous conditions beyond the 4 mile marker.
Trail Directions: Follow signage on the trail. Easy access at the Balsam Ranger Station.
Rating: 5 out of 10. Pretty, easy access, but a little challenging later in the hike. There is no return loop making the hiker back track along the same trail.
Richland Balsam
Directions: From Sylva (Exit 85) drive east on US 23/74 for 8.9 miles, turn left, enter the Blue Ridge Parkway, proceed in direction of Asheville. At Milepost 431 turn left into Haywood-Jackson parking overlook.
Travel Time: 30 to 45 minutes
Trail Characteristics: 1.5 miles loop to 6,410 ft summit, highest in Balsam Mountains and among loftiest in eastern US. Cool, refreshing hike through a remnant spruce-fir forest.
Trail Directions: Trail begins at left rear corner of parking lot and is paved at start.
Rating: 6 out of 10. The trail offers great views of the Smoky Mountains and the Blue Ridge Parkway. The drive is somewhat long, but the views and smells of the spruce forest certainly makes up for this.
Devils Courthouse
Directions: From Sylva (exit 85) drive East on US 23/74 for 8.9 miles, turn left enter the Blue Ridge Parkway, proceed in direction of Asheville. Drive 0.6 miles past Milepost 423, turn right into Devils Courthouse parking overlook.
Travel Time: 30 to 45 miles
Trail Characteristics: 0.8 mi, round trip, paved but steep to the top of rock promontory with a great panoramic view.
Trail Directions: Take sidewalk to the East along the Parkway, turn right into woods just before tunnel. Trail is paved at the start.
Rating: 7 out of 10. Although the trail is paved, it offers a steep and strenuous hike with beautiful sights and sounds of the area.
Graveyard Fields
Directions: From Sylva (exit 85) drive East of US 23/74 for 8.9 miles, turn left and enter the Blue Ridge Parkway proceed in direction of Asheville. Drive 0.2 miles past Milepost 419, turn left into Graveyard Field parking lot.
Travel time: Between 30 and 40 minutes.
Trail Characteristics: 0.3 mile easy trail to first waterfall or 2.3 mile roundtrip (easy to moderate) along stream to two waterfalls.
Trail Directions: Go past first stairway. The trail is easy to maneuver and offers breath taking views of two separate water falls. Bring water shoes and spend some time in the crisp mountain stream that runs alongside the trail.
The Appalachian Trail- Max Patch Area
Directions: From Campus take US 23/74 to I-40. Take I-40 toward Knoxville, TN. Get off exit 7 the Harmons Den. Turn right at the bottom of exit ramp and follow a well- maintained dirt road uphill for six miles to the parking area on the right.
Travel time: Around 40 minutes
Trail Characteristics: The treeless summit of Max Patch offers a 360- degree view of the tallest mountains east of the Rockies. The Appalachian Trail extends from Georgia to Maine, it covers over 2,174 miles. The trail follows the crest of the Smoky Mountains for 88.1 miles. There are many access points for single or muli- day hikes. Another access point is located at the Nantahala Outdoor Center in Wesser, NC.
Rating: 9 out of 10. Max Patch is a great place to fly a kite, walk a dog, and is also great for night hiking.
Biographies
Amanda Harper
Amanda received her Bachelor of Science in Parks in Recreation Management, with a concentration in Commercial Recreation, in May of 2007. She was raised in Kinston, North Carolina. Harper has been hiking since she was four. She fell in love with the outdoors while a Girl Scout.
Katie Hughs
Katie received her Bachelor of Science in Parks in Recreation Management with a concentration in Community Recreation, in May of 2007. She was born in Shelby, North Carolina. Hughes has been hiking since she as old enough to walk.
Bryan Mangum
Bryan will be receiving his Bachelor of Science in Parks in Recreation Management in Summer Camp Programming, in May 2009. He was born in Scottsdale, Arizona. Mangum has been hiking since he was eight years old.