Blog - Page 11 of 14 - My Walk in the Woods

40 Hike Challenge: #12 The Bluff Mountain Trail

Distance: 4.3 miles one-way

Difficulty: Moderate

Elevation Change: gain-1301′; loss-899′

source: Great Day Hikes of North Carolina’s Mountains-to-Sea Trail

Hike #12 of the 40 Hike Challenge is the last of the Challenge hikes that originates from the Blue Ridge Parkway. The MST follows the Bluff Mountain Trail through the Doughton Recreation Area. Doughton is the largest recreation area on the Blue Ridge Parkway with over 30 miles of trails. At the end of this hike is the Bluffs Restaurant, which was a welcoming place after the morning hike.

MST: Craggy Visitors Center to Potato Field Gap

Craggy Visitor’s Center view looking west

The trails around Craggy Gardens are very popular, especially this time of year. The Craggy Gardens Visitors Center is located at MP 364.5 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. From this point, there are many trails available to explore. The Mountains to Sea Trail passes just below the parking area connecting Craggy Gardens to the Graybeard Overlook (MP 363.4). The trail to Craggy Flats is just under a mile from the Visitor’s Center. In June, the heath bald is typically covered in pink and purple blooms of the Catawba Rhododendron. At this time, the area was decorated with an assortment of wild flowers.

40 Hike Challenge: #15 Pilot Mountain Loop

Distance: 6.3 miles (Loop)

Difficulty:Easy to moderate

Elevation Change: gain-1137′; loss-1137′

My Hike: 6.8 miles (loop)

source: Great Day Hikes of North Carolina’s Mountains-to-Sea Trail

View of Pilot Mtn from summit parking lot

Pilot Mountain is in the Sauratown mountains, which are considered to be a part of the ancient Appalachian Mountains. They are located in the Piedmont and Section 7 of the Mountains to Sea Trail (MST). Pilot mountain is an obvious landmark in the area with an elevation of 2,421 feet. It is isolated from the nearby mountain range and the original Saura people (also known as the Cheraw), referred to it as “the Great Guide”. With its sheer cliff walls, it is a regional draw for avid rock climbers.

Useful Guides for the MST

If you are are interested in hiking the Mountains to Sea Trail, I have two recommendations that I believe you will find extremely useful. These resources will be helpful for anyone on the trail, whether you are a thru-hiker, section hiker, slack packer or just looking for a new day hike.

1: “Jester” Section Hiker podcast

This website is by Julie “Jester” Gayheart

I ran across her site when searching for podcasts about the Mountains to Sea Trail. Jester is a serious section hiker who lives in North Carolina and she has a very impressive hiking resume’. This past year she completed the 40 Hike Challenge and as a benefit to all of us, she has reviews of each of the 40 Hikes while she is on each specific trail. I have found it extremely beneficial and inspiring.

Jester goes beyond just an interesting and entertaining podcast by also giving the listener the opportunity for more information in her “show notes” on her site. Even though I am primarily doing long day hikes, I have gone back and listened to all of the episodes in her podcast. I have found them all instructive. If you go to her website you will find a list of the podcast episodes that are specific to the 40 Hike Challenge, but I encourage you to listen to the other episodes as well. Jester has intriguing interviews with some amazing fellow hikers. I also appreciate her sharing her packing lists.

I highly recommend this podcast! An added benefit is the great song that she has as a bumper on her podcast – you will find that you will be singing along as you’re headed to the next trail.

2: The MST Guide APP by Pocket Trails

I stumbled on this 2nd recommendation while listening to Jester’s podcast – Episodes #50 & #69. Josh Smith has a great story about why, when and how he created the MST Guide APP. I urge you to listen to his story.

The MST Guide APP can be downloaded on Android and IOS. I have used it on several hikes with my iPhone. The APP is simple to use and has a lot of useful features. In a recent conversation with “Jester” she informed me that her and Josh are now co-owners of Pocket Trails. I am looking forward to see how they continue to improve and enhance the app.

Also, I forgot to mention that the APP is free! Thank you Pocket Trails.

MST: NC 215 to Black Balsam Knob Rd

Breathtaking views like this make the Mountains to Sea Trail a rewarding escape. I reached this spot on the trail just a few miles in from the trailhead. When I sat down and looked out, I was amazed at how the scenery was changing before my eyes – better than any motion picture. The movement of the mist and the sun breaking through revealed a kaleidoscope of greens and blues that I did not know existed. Soon I began noticing mountains behind mountains that I had not been able to see just a few minutes before. The view above is located on the MST about 2.9 miles (east) of the trailhead at NC 215.