2020-10-08 Pisgah Loop Hike

Pisgah National Forest Loop Hike
Transylvania County, NC
Thursday, October 8th, 2020

 

Sunrise along the Mountains-to-Sea Trail
 

Mark and I enjoyed a nice 13-mile loop hike around the Pisgah National Forest.

I started the day by bushwhacking to a rock outcrop above the Blue Ridge Parkway that I thought would offer a nice sunrise vantage point.  I was correct!

 

Shortly after sunrise, I met Mark at the Buck Spring Gap Trailhead to begin our hike.

We started along the Mountains to Sea Trail (MTS Trail) hiking southwest past the Pisgah Inn to the Barnett Branch Trail which we hiked down to FR1206

Selfie with Mark at the start of our hike

The Pisgah Inn along the Mountains-to-Sea Trail

Looking South

Upper Barnett Branch Trail Falls

Barnett Branch Trail Falls

I was a bit concerned about traffic along FR1206.  However, the 2.5 mile road walk along FR1206 turned out to be a pleasant stroll through the forest.  We did not see any humans or vehicles, but did encounter two snakes on the road.

 

I am not a snake expert, but this one was definitely non-poisonous, so I was comfortable going in for a close-up.  He (or she) was not too happy about that and tried to take a bite out of my Apple!

We hiked up the Thompson Creek Trail and did the short bushwhack to Lower Thompson Ridge Trail Falls which turned out to be much nicer than expected!

Mark at the Thompson Creek Trailhead

Thompson Ridge Falls

Thompson Ridge Falls

From FR1206 the Thompson Creek Trail gains almost 2,000 feet to the summit of Little Bald Mountain.

view from Little Bald Mountain

Mark at the Summit of Little Bald Mountain

We enjoyed some nice fall color on the last section of the MTS trail back to the Buck Spring Gap Trailhead.

Here is the GPS Track from our hike.  

Note: I forgot to start the track until we were already about a half mile in

GPS Track from our Hike

Click here for Interactive Link

It was a beautiful day to be outside!

 

My complete set of photos is posted here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/8146392@N05/albums/72157716337093282

 

2020-10-03 Terrapin Mountain Adventure

Terrapin Mountain Adventure

Nantahala National Forest

Jackson County, NC

Saturday, October 3rd, 2020

 

Group Photo on Terrapin Mountain

L to R:  Scott, Renee, Mark, Me, Brenda

Photo by Renee Hattenstein

 

Terrapin Mountain is located on public property within boundaries of the Nantahala National Forest.

However, there are no official trails and surrounding private property make it difficult to access. Staying entirely on public land involves a very long and arduous journey!

 

Fortunately, my buddy Scott (aka The Professor) was able to obtain permission to park on private property making access to Terrapin Mountain much easier.

 

Also joining us would be Brenda, Renee, and Mark.

 

Along the drive I made a quick stop to catch the sunrise of Lake Oolenoy near Table Rock, SC.  

 

Lake Oolenoy Sunrise

Lake Oolenoy Morning

 

 

I also captured a Bear on my Dash Cam  (not high quality footage, but you should definitely be able to spot the Bear)

 

 

Here are some of the Photos from our Terrapin Mountain Adventure:

 

Rattlesnake

Terrapin Mountain Panorama with Mark and Brenda

Brenda and Mark

Renee

The Professor Striking a pose in front of his favorite view of Whiteside Mountain

 

The Professor soaking it all in

We ran into some beautiful horses on the hike out.

(Thanks to the owners for allowing us to park at and access through their private property)

 

Selfie time with The Professor and a Horse

 

My complete set of photos is posted here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/8146392@N05/albums/72157716321703936

 

2020-10-01 Sam Knob Adventure with Jen

Sam Knob Adventure with Jen Loow
Pisgah National Forest
Haywood County, NC
Thursday, October 1st, 2020

 

Sunrise from the Blue Ridge Parkway
 

For today's adventure Jen and I set an early meetup time to catch the sunrise from the Blue Ridge Parkway.   It was an beautiful sunrise and the perfect start to an incredible day.

 

We started our hike with the short climb up to the twin summits of Sam Knob.  

From there we continued on and made a little loop combining the Sam Knob Trail (617), Flat Laurel Creek Trail (346), a section of the MTS trail (440), and finishing up with the Little Sam Trail (347).

GPS Track from our Hike

Click here for Interactive Link

We avoided the short walk along Hwy 215 by adding in a little bushwhacking / creek walking to our loop.

Total hike distance was about 10 miles and the weather was perfect for hiking.  

The only downside was the fall color was not as far along as we had hoped and we didn't get lucky enough to catch any of the Monarch Butterfly Migration.

Despite the Black Balsam parking area overflowing with vehicles by the time we finished up, we only saw about a half dozen other humans on our hike.

Here are some of the photos from our adventure:

Jen heading towards the twin summits of Sam Knob

Jen hanging out on a Quartz Outcrop on Sam Knob

 

Me on Sam Knob

View from Sam Knob

The Best Campsite along Flat Laurel Creek

Jen heading down Flat Laurel Creek

 

view of Sam Knob from the Flat Laurel Creek Trail

Jen at Heart Rock

 

Wildcat Falls

 

Waterfall along the Flat Laurel Creek Trail

Jen just could not resist climbing this tree!

Tree Hugger Jen

View from the Little Sam Trail

 

My complete set of photos is posted here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/8146392@N05/albums/72157716262360716