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.
I arrived early to the Visitor’s Center with only two cars in the parking lot, but on my return 2 1/2 hours later, the area was packed. I suggest early morning if you are interested in hiking around the Craggy.
The hike up to the flats is well marked and maintained, and is an easy ascent through Spruce, Fir and Rhododendron. Once near the top, the MST proceeds through an old picnic shelter built by the Civilian Conservation Corps.
There are many side trails in this area that people have created and could be confusing. To proceed to the top of the flat for a view, you can veer off of the MST here (to the left).
The MST continues straight through the shelter to the Craggy Picnic and Parking area below.
Since we have lived in the Asheville area for over 25 years, I have been around this area many times. However, I had never hiked the MST beyond the Craggy area (going west toward Rattlesnake Lodge). I continued on the MST through the picnic area.
Beyond the picnic area, the trail descends rapidly to the BRP access area for Craggy picnic area (MP 367.7) and an intersection with the snowball trail. Another mile of descent brought me back to the Blue Ridge Parkway and a small gravel parking area (Potato Field Gap). The MST would continue here to the west and to Rattlesnake Lodge.
At this point, I had descended about 1300 feet and the trail from Craggy did not have a lot of switchbacks. Knowing that I had to hike back to my truck, I decided it was time to turn around. It was a good thing I did- by the time I reached the CCC shelter, the skies had turned ominously dark (even though I welcomed the drop in temperature).
Due to the approaching storm, the crowds had started to disappear from the top and I found that I had the view to myself.
At the top, there are a couple of benches to enjoy the view. As I sat here, enjoying the silence and the cooler breeze, I was amazed at how quickly the scene before me was changing. The pictures below were only a few minutes apart.
The dark clouds only brought a few raindrops, and eventually the view began to open back up.
I am thankful for the opportunity to sit and enjoy the scenery, as sometimes I can get too focused on the mission and the end. This time, my body and the weather forced me to sit and enjoy the blessings of nature’s art all around me.
What a great way to share what you
See and experience while hiking. Great pics , look forward to next trip