Mountains to Sea Archives - Page 2 of 7

MST: Pinnacle Trailhead to Shortoff Mtn. (Seg 4)

I will go ahead and tell you now, there’s going to be a lot of pictures ! As I have stated many times before, Segment 4 is my favorite and Linville Gorge is one of the reasons why. I grew up less than 30 minutes from the Shortoff Trailhead and I can still remember the drives up Wolfpit road in my dad’s old Ford Bronco. The area surrounding the gorge, specifically Lake James has seen some dramatic changes over the years with many high-end housing developments and the creation of the Fonta Flora Trail. However, the beauty and serenity of standing on top of Shortoff and looking up the gorge still sparks a spiritual renewal deep within my soul.

MST: Buck Creek Gap Overlook to Woodlawn Picnic Area (Seg 4)

Throughout the mountains section of the Mountains to Sea Trail (MST), this trail shares a close relationship with the Blue Ridge Parkway. It crosses and parallels the Parkway many times as it meanders in an out of adjoining wilderness areas. Buck Creek Gap Overlook sits at the junction of the Parkway, Hwy 80 and the Eastern Continental Divide. It is at this point, about 182 trail miles from Clingman’s Dome, where the MST leaves its friend the Blue Ridge Parkway and heads across Woods Mountain and on into the Linville Gorge. It will be another 67 miles before the MST joins the Parkway again at Beacon Heights, just below Grandfather Mountain.

MST: Greentown (Hwy 181) to Buck Creek

The Mountains to Sea Trail (MST) consists of 18 Segments. Segment 4 extends 75 miles from Black Mountain Campground to Beacon Heights and is one of my favorite places to hike. These trails are surprisingly diverse as they descend, climb, meander and challenge hikers of all levels. From the breathtaking experience and vistas of Linville Gorge to the vast amount of waterfalls, this segment always causes me to count my blessings to live here in Western North Carolina.

MST: Fork Ridge Overlook to Old Bald Access (Segment 2)

This past weekend I set out on an attempt to complete my remaining miles of Segment 2 of the Mountains to Sea Trail. However, just like the past few months, things do not always go as planned. This was my first hike in over two months, having been saddled with unexpected diversions from work and health. The leaves were beginning to turn and the cool air was inviting me back out, and I could not wait to hit the trail. My plan was to break up my remaining 33 miles from Fork Ridge Overlook to Bear Pen Gap into 3 day hikes, increasing in complexity and mileage.

MST: Rough Butt Bald Overlook to Bear Pen Gap

Looking Glass Rock from the Blue Ridge Parkway

Today’s forecast was for a slight ease in the temperatures, so I took the opportunity this morning to continue my MST hikes in Segment 2. My plan was to hike westbound from the Rough Butt Bald Overlook to Bear Pen Gap. My initial idea was to do an out-and-back for about 10 miles. However, one thing that I am stubbornly learning is that hiking requires flexibility and being willing to yield to your body’s limitations.