Mountains to Sea Archives - Page 4 of 7

MST: Pisgah Inn to Pigeon Gap

It has been over a month since I completed the MST 40 Hike Challenge in January, so this weekend was a welcome homecoming to return hiking on the Mountains to Sea Trail. I lacked only about 7.5 miles to connect several sections of the trail that I had hiked last year-specifically, Pigeon Gap to the Pisgah Inn. This would give me a completed, continuous segment of 77 miles on the MST from the edge of the Middle Prong Wilderness to Walker Knob Overlook in Section 3. The trail did not disappoint!

Most of the trail in Sections 2 and 3 parallels or crosses close to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Pigeon Gap is near the junction of 276 and the Blue Ridge Parkway. At this time of the year, much of the Blue Ridge Parkway is closed. I had planned to hike this section in a loop by parking just off 276 and walking about 3.5 miles up the Parkway to the Pisgah Inn. There, I would then connect with the MST behind the lodge and then complete the 7.0 miles back to Pigeon Gap, hiking west.

I was surprised to find that on this early Friday morning, the Parkway gates were open. From what I could tell, not many people knew about this, so I continued with my plan. In just over 3 miles, I only met 4 vehicles. One thing I did not plan on was the short tunnel in this section. And by the way, it’s illegal to walk through a tunnel . . . when the Parkway is open.

Walking on the Parkway with so few cars was a great experience with outstanding views throughout the trip up to Pisgah Inn. However, after just over 3 miles, I was pleased to finally be on actual trail. The MST passes just under the Inn (back side). It is wide and easy to find, even though I did not see any MST blazes, it was obvious this was the trail. The path soon switched to single track and began a series of switchbacks.

This is a sharp descent of about 800 feet in less than 2 miles. Thereafter, the trip along the trail has little change in elevation for the next 2.5 miles. The topography and flora changes back and forth during this trek from a dense forest area with lush Rhododendron and Mountain Laurel to drier areas with clear winter views and hardwoods.

There are plenty of water sources along this trail. In fact, the Carolina Mountain Club’s “Trail Profiles and Maps – Third Edition”, identifies 16 water crossings from Pisgah Inn to Buck Spring Trailhead. These are mountain creeks and not deep water, so they are skips or rock hops without any risk of getting wet. By the way, if you are planning on hiking any of the first 3 segments of the MST, I highly recommend the “Trail Profiles and Maps – Third Edition”. The maps and profiles/elevations are a great asset when planning a hike.

During this 7 mile hike, there is no access to the Parkway, however there are a few attractive camping sites and these are listed in the MST guides. The last couple miles is an ascent of about 600 feet back up to 276 and then to Pigeon Gap.

I was glad to take advantage of wonderful weather and to be back home – on the Mountains to Sea Trail. I look forward to continuing to ‘connect – the- dots’ as I attempt to complete all of the Trail. – Stay Tuned!

40 Hike Challenge: #40 Jockey’s Ridge – Completion!

Distance: 1.0 mile round trip

Degree of difficulty: Easy

Source: Great Day Hikes of North Carolina’s Mountains – to – Sea Trail

It was surreal as we pulled up to the Jockey’s Ridge trailhead. Less than 10 months earlier, I had just started on the goal to complete the MST 40 Hike Challenge. I had picked up the book, Great Day Hikes of North Carolina’s Mountains – to – Sea Trail mainly out of curiosity, and while I was driving to do some day hiking at nearby Dupont State Forest, I stumbled onto The Jester Section Hiker Podcast. Her detailed descriptions of each hike stirred within me a hunger for such an adventure.

40 Hike Challenge: #38 Cape Hatteras & #39 Outer Banks

Source: Great Day Hikes of North Carolina’s Mountains – to – Sea Trail

Cape Hatteras National Seashore was the first National Seashore designated and managed by the National Park Service in 1953. Now there are 10 National Seashores all of which have been set apart to protect their rich and diverse environmental and cultural resources. It is easy to presume that the Hatteras National Seashore just refers to the area around the lighthouse. However, the National Seashore actually encompasses over 70 miles of shoreline including Bodie, Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands. Both Hikes 38 & 39 include portions of the Mountains to Sea Trail within the Hatteras National Seashore.

40 Hike Challenge: #36 Down East & #37 Cedar Island

The Mountains to Sea Trail extends 1175 miles over roads and trails from Clingman’s Dome to Jockey’s Ridge. The MST is broken down into 18 segments, each providing the traveler with a different taste of our diverse state of North Carolina. Segment 17 is a unique experience as it treks through quaint coastal communities and ending with a walk through the Cedar Island National Wildlife Refuge. This segment offers a different element to the MST hiking experience since it consists of only road walking on part of the Outer Banks National Scenic Byway.

Source: Great Day Hikes of North Carolina’s Mountains – to – Sea Trail

40 Hike Challenge: #34 & #35 The Northern and Southern Neusiok Trails

Source: Great Day Hikes of North Carolina’s Mountains – to – Sea Trail

The Neusiok Trail traverses 20 miles through the Croatan National Forest, connecting the Neuse River at Pine Cliff to the New Port River at Oyster Point. This is an easy hike through familiar Carolina coast ecosystems such as bogs, cypress swamps and long-leaf pines. The Neusiok Trail runs concurrently with the Mountains to Sea Trail through the National Forest. Hikes 34 & 35 of the 40 Hike Challenge are excellent ways to get a taste of what this diverse area has to offer.