Mountains to Sea Archives - Page 5 of 7

40 Hike Challenge: #8 Linville Gorge

Degree of difficulty: Strenuous

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

We all need a place where we can be awed by wonder & where our senses are inundated with the divine. Each time I have visited Linville Gorge, I have been re-awakened to the joy it is to experience the majesty of creation. I do not know how old I was when I first experienced Linville Gorge. I grew up in Burke County and my dad would occasionally take us on adventures in his Ford Bronco. One of those was to the top of Shortoff and I still remember the sensation of a view taking my breath away. I am grateful to say that the gorge still does this to me. Hopefully you will see why Hike #8 of the 40 Hike Challenge is my favorite.

40 Hike Challenge: #29 Jones Lake State Park

Distance: 3.1 miles out-and-back (see Trail Updates)

Degree of difficulty: Easy

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

Hike 29 of the MST 40 Hike Challenge introduces the hiker to the interesting ecological phenomena of the Carolina bay. These elliptical depressions are typically water filled and provide a prime location for an abundance of flora and wildlife. The name “bay” is in recognition of the Red, Sweet and Loblolly bay trees that surround these bodies of water. The Jones Lake bay, located in Bladen County, encompasses over 224 acres.

40 Hike Challenge: #27 & #28 Town of Roseboro + Old Cape Fear Countryside

The Coastal Region of the Mountains to Sea Trail extends through many small, rural towns as it meanders to the coast. One aspect of the trail that hikers learn to traverse are many of the backroads that lead to these towns. The 40 Hike Challenge includes a few hikes that allow the hiker to experience these towns and rural road walks. Hikes 27 & 28 through Roseboro, NC and White Oak, NC are short hikes in welcoming communities packed with history.

40 Hike Challenge: #26 Bentonville Battlefield

Distance: 2.3 miles one way

Degree of difficulty: Easy

Elevation Change: Gain, 82 feet; loss, 75 feet

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

The Bentonville Historic Trail is #26 of the 40 Hike Challenge. You can read about the others here. Bentonville Battlefield located in segment 12 of the MST is the site of North Carolina’s largest battle in the Civil War. Confederates suffered approximately 2,600 casualties: 239 killed, 1,694 wounded and 673 missing. The Union army had 1,527 casualties: 194 killed, 1,112 wounded, and 221 missing. Occurring in the last days of the War, in March 1865, it was one of many tipping points which lead to the final resolution of this sad and bloody chapter in our nation’s history.

40 Hike Challenge: #25 Smithfield’s Neuse Riverwalk

Distance: 3.1 miles one way

Degree of difficulty: Easy

Elevation Change: Gain, 73 feet; loss, 85 feet

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

The Smithfield Riverwalk in segment 11 of the Mountains-To-Sea-Trail combines the serenity of the Neuse River with the active downtown of Historic Smithfield. The hiker on this trail gets a complete overview of the vibrant community by traveling from a state of the art recreation complex; an undisturbed woodland area; a calming river and concluding in a revitalized town with much character.