Trail head: Milepost Blue Ridge Parkway, Moses Cone Manor
Distance: 5.8 miles
Duration: 2 hours
Skill Level: Easy/Moderate Hiking Trails
Moses Cone Park Carriage Trail Map
Photo Gallery
*Click on thumbnails for larger viewing and slideshow
Photo Gallery
*Click on thumbnails for larger viewing and slideshow
Trail head: Obids, North Carolina
Distance: 0.9 miles
Duration: 29 minutes
Skill Level: Easy
Overview:
Jumpinoff Rocks Overlook is located on the right side of the Blue Ridge parkway while driving North at milepost 260.3. This is a great 1.0 mile hike to park in the overlook and stretch your legs after a long drive. There are beautiful scenic views from the parking lot and the overlook that is .5 miles at the end of the trail. There is also a picnic table fr sitting and relaxing with a great mountain view. First park your car and head right up the steps up a gradual hill climb. This trail is also part of the Mountain Sea Trail which is marked with the hiking man and a white dot. The trail continues with some flat parts and gradual inclines, but most part its a pleasant hike through the woods. The pat comes to a fork where if you turn right you continue on the Mountain Sea Trail, but you want to turn left to the overlook. from the fork the overlook is about fifty feet where you can step out into a clearing and see a 180 degree view of the mountains. Great spot for pictures and video, i will be returning again when its green and in the fall. The trail is then another .5 miles back to the car.
Tips:
Jumpinoff Rocks Trail Map
Photo Gallery
*Click on thumbnails for larger viewing and slideshow
Trip Location: Blowing Rock, North Carolina
The hike is a nice gradual incline that winds its way to a very large pasture where you can go right to Trout Lake or continue straight and then go right or left which is a loop around. We decide to go left it was less steep and shaded with a woods canopy. The trail keeps going around the side of the mountain until you reach the upper meadow which is covered by many pretty wildflowers and butterflies. The trail continues to keep circling around the mountain until you reach the summit, where there is a brick wall and a nice oak tree to rest under for a few minutes.
This hike up and back from the gate took 2 hours and is 3.5 miles long. This hiking trail is great for families, dogs, and kids of younger ages. The trail is a very gradual incline and very wide enough for horses which frequent the trail.
Trip Location: Blowing Rock, North Carolina
Length: 4.7 miles
Duration: 2 hours
Overview:
Flat Top Tower I have heard of before, but soon realized it was part of the Moses Cone Memorial Park Trail system off the Blue Ridge Parkway. I would put this up there as one of my Top 10 hikes so far just because of the 360 degree views from the tower. It gave me a better perspective of where I live and the lay of the land and how the towns are situated inside the mountain valleys. This is a must picture taking location and make sure you bring the telephoto lens.
The hike starts out at the Moses Cone Memorial manor Parking Lot. Head down the steps with the manor on your right and take a left towards the stables. You will see a tunnel under the Blue Ridge Parkway go through it and bear right up the hill. This part of the trail winds back and forth climbing the mountain until you reach a large meadow. Keep going straight until you reach the sign. If you want you can check out the Moses Cone grave site which is fenced in.
The trail continues through the meadow and winds upward where there are many spots to see the mountains around you and to take some photos. To the left is Grandfather Mountain and you can see houses on the hill which is Seven Devils and Beech Mountain. To the right is Blowing Rock and more of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
The second part of the trail gradually has more of an incline as yo make your way toward the top where the tower is. There are many openings along the trail for a great photo or quick water break. The real beauty is when you finally reach the fire tower. (Note: If you are scared of heights this tower is not for you, if you want to you can climb up enough to get a glimpse of the view without being at the top of the tower). The top of the tower brings you up above the tree line where you can see 360 degrees of Blue Ridge Mountains. As you come up the last step you will be facing South toward Blowing Rock. To the right you can see Grandfather Mountain and even Price Lake, Seven Devils and Beech Mountain. Turning around and facing toward the North you will see Boone and can see the top of the buildings from Appalachian State University. This is a great view and completely worth the hike.
Tips:
1. Bottle of water
2. Comfortable Hiking Shoes
3. Great For Kids over 6 years old
4. No Bicycles allowed , be aware of horseback riding
5. Do not climb tower if afraid of heights
6. Best 360 degree view of the high country
7. Make sure its not a windy day when climbing the tower
Lover’s Leap Trail Hike located in Hot Springs, NC is part of the Appalachian Trail and a 1.6 mile loop. From the Silvermine Trailhead walk down the road and get on the Appalachian Trail (white blazes) along the French Broad River. After about 0.5 mile the trail climbs steeply to Lover’s Leap ridge. When this trail reaches the ridge, there are rock outcrops with numerous overlooks.Panoramic views of the French Broad River and town of Hot Springs make this trail one of the best in Madison County. Return on the Lover’s Leap Trail (blue blazes) and descend to the trailhead.
The old legend says a beautiful Cherokee maid was deeply in love when another Indian brave challenged her lover for her hand. They fought and her lover died in the fight. In total heartbreak (and rather than marry the victor) she climbed to the rocky ledge that overhangs the French Broad River and jumped to her death; thus the name “Lover’s Leap.”
*Click on thumbnails for larger viewing and slideshow