WHERE THE NEW RIVER BEGINS
We haven’t hiked around Grandfather Mountain so on the only clear day over Memorial Day weekend we headed out. We found the Nuwati Trail to Storyteller Rock just off the Blue Ridge Parkway near Blowing Rock. An easy drive from Creston – just over an hour. The trail wasn’t very busy with a great overlook. Nuwati connects to several other trails for longer hikes.
Had to share this one about the hellbender – a large salamander found in northwest North Carolina. As odd as it is, the eastern hellbender is a special creature – that is a “species of concern” due to our changing climate. Even still, there are more in North Carolina than any other state in their range.
They can be found in the New and Watauga Rivers in Ashe and Watauga counties. But seeing them is another story! Read more here.
A bit of snow made it tricky to climb Haw Orchard Mountain to see the amazing views from both Big and Little Pinnacles in Grayson Highlands State Park in southwestern Virginia. Forgot my walking poles too! Only passed a few people as we walked through a hemlock forest. Great views from about 5,000 ft.
Not accessible to the public, Snake Mountain in Watauga County is mostly a straight shot up to 5,500 feet. We hiked part of it in a foot of snow and the rest this spring. Rocky top with wide, gorgeous views.
We took Finley up to Elk Knob last fall. It was a perfect color day. There’s part of the hike where you have to make your way through tunnels of trees stunted by the weather at about 5,500 feet.
I forgot to post this full moon from last year. The blue moon in August was barely visible from our cabin but I found an opening in the trees and snapped this photo. It’s usually pitch black out there at night!
More great news for Ashe County and the Amphibolite Mountain range in the area. The Blue Ridge Conservancy has successfully purchased 152 acres on Paddy Mountain, adjacent to 445 acres of a protected area managed by the NC Plant Conservation Program. The area, known as the Paddy Mountain Preserve, may eventually be part of the Northern Peaks Trail – a 40-mile hiking trail that will be built from Boone to West Jefferson. (and pass near our place!)
Paddy Mountain is protected for its unique ecosystem and home to the rare Heller’s Blazing Star (Liatris helleri) which grows only on rock outcroppings near the top of the mountain. The purchase is part of an ongoing effort since 2014 to own tracts of land on Paddy Mountain.
Congrats to the Blue Ridge Conservancy and its partners for continuing to protect these beautiful mountains in northwestern NC. Read more here.
Great story by EdNC about the murals and music of Ashe County and how during the pandemic these traditions kept its communities vibrant. In West Jefferson alone there are 17 murals. This is the best map I could find which is missing a few! Thanks to the local Arts Council for continuing to highlight the arts and music of Ashe County.
Mural in downtown West Jefferson
On the Harmon/Starkey/Owens annual trip to our cabin to find the best Christmas trees, Paul shared some drone footage and photos of the valley and surrounding mountain range. Thanks Paul!
The photo is looking NE from Long Hope Creek down to the pond. The video is a 360 view of the area surrounding the cabin.
360 View
Great hike down to Laurel Falls today in the Pond Mountain Wilderness Area of the Cherokee National Forest in TN. It’s northwest of Mountain City and just a 1.5 hours from Creston. Beautiful drive too!
The hike is about 4.6 miles roundtrip to the falls, with more than 100 stone steps down. But worth the walk. Sun hits the water around noon if you are going swimming and it’s still cold!
