VAN
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Post by VAN on Jan 20, 2017 6:53:35 GMT -8
Summer plans are in the works for our family. We have a 4 year old boy and a 7 year old girl. We will be headed back to the mountains and this year plan to do some road touring and day hiking along the BRP in North Carolina in June. Staying in motels/inns this year and not camping sadly. We will be driving south from the NC/VA border and plan to stay 4 nights total in the area before heading down to Clayton, GA.
Our planned stops are: Dobson, NC (prior to driving on the parkway south) Asheville, NC Boone, NC Franklin, NC (after completing the parkway. We have no desire to stay in Cherokee, NC)
I am mostly requesting must-do day hikes, especially to waterfalls, that are around 2-3 miles round trip. Any picnic areas, pulls outs, unique road side attractions, good places to eat are also gladly accepted. We are planning a slow pace. No more than 90 miles a day total parkway driving.
i did buy this book: Hiking and Traveling the Blue Ridge Parkway: The Only Guide You Will Ever Need, Including GPS, Detailed Maps, and More (Southern Gateways Guides) by Leonard M. Adkins and think it will be very useful.
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Post by ashepabst on Jan 20, 2017 10:21:15 GMT -8
you probably already know these spots, but definitely consider doing hikes at Graveyard Fields and Black Balsam.
Linville Falls is another good one.
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driftwoody
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Take the path closer to the edge, especially if less traveled
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Post by driftwoody on Jan 20, 2017 10:54:44 GMT -8
I'll second what ashepabst said. As long as you're at Linville Falls, Wiseman's View offers a very good overlook of Linville Gorge. It's easy to get to, and a short easy hike. If you feel a little more adventurous, in my opinion the greatest view of Linville Gorge and among the best anywhere in the Southeast is from atop Hawksbill Mountain on the east side. You have to drive several miles on gravel roads to reach the trailhead, but any car can make it. The trail is only 3/4 mile (one way) but it's fairly steep & rugged going up. Once you clear out into the open however, wonderful vistas abound. Be sure to ascend all the way to the top for 360* degree views.
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Post by Jerry E on Jan 20, 2017 14:45:27 GMT -8
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VAN
Trail Wise!
Posts: 133
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Post by VAN on Jan 23, 2017 8:40:02 GMT -8
Thanks to all! Keep em coming. I know this is not exactly backpacking, but I swear my kids are being groomed appropriately to love the outdoors... And @tdale, I know exactly where Blackrock Mountain State Park is, I just have never been! That is a planned stop this year for sure
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FamilySherpa
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Post by FamilySherpa on Jan 23, 2017 10:07:37 GMT -8
nm
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driftwoody
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Take the path closer to the edge, especially if less traveled
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Post by driftwoody on Jan 23, 2017 10:33:40 GMT -8
FamilySherpa, Wilson Creek is great but keep in mind VAN is looking for dayhikes 2-3 miles roundtrip with kids 4 & 7 years old.
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FamilySherpa
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Post by FamilySherpa on Jan 23, 2017 13:16:08 GMT -8
FamilySherpa , Wilson Creek is great but keep in mind VAN is looking for dayhikes 2-3 miles roundtrip with kids 4 & 7 years old. ok
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FamilySherpa
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Tangled up in Rhododendron
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Post by FamilySherpa on Jan 23, 2017 13:37:51 GMT -8
nm
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VAN
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Post by VAN on Mar 22, 2017 6:47:13 GMT -8
Thanks all for these suggestions! Booked all the stays along the route and sitting at my desk at work today thinking about summer in the mountains!
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