gratitude and vision

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow. 
--Melody Beattie (b.1948) American author. 

Above: Blue at Chestoa View, Blue Ridge Parkway mile 320.8 (elevation 4090 ft.).

Chestoa View offers great views of the Linville Gorge Wilderness and is a short walk from the parking area. In the photo above you can see Table Rock in the distance (top right). More discussion of this fantastic overlook here.

Hawksbill Mountain

Be different, stand out, and work your butt off. 
--Reba McEntire (b.1955) American country singer.

One of the more prominent peaks in western North Carolina area area is Hawksbill Mountain, rising 2000 feet high above the Linville River. For miles around, Hawksbill and its sidekick, Table Rock, can be easily identified with their distinctive shapes jutting up sharply, standing out in a sea of gently rolling hills.  The view here is from Wiseman's Overlook on the south side of the gorge looking north.

For directions to Hawksbill Mountain Trail, click here. Another good source here.

For directions to Wiseman's Overlook, click here.

stand firm

Be sure you put your feet in the right place, then stand firm. 
--Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) 16th US President. 

Above: Brothers Joe and Mickey standing on Table Rock, overlooking the Linville Gorge in North Carolina.

autumn symphony

October is a symphony of permanence and change.
--Bonaro W. Overstreet, author. 

Above: Gorgeous views of the Linville Gorge from Table Rock in the Blue Ridge Mountain of NC. 

It's one of the best overlooks in our region -- and well worth the long drive on a twisting gravel road.  After parking, it's a short (1 mile), moderately steep climb up the trail and then you're rewarded with spectacular views of the Linville Gorge and surrounding areas. For detailed directions and more discussion, click here.  More photos at this website.

Linville Gorge Wilderness

This rustic cabin serves as the information center for visitors to the Linville Gorge Wilderness. The gentleman behind the counter said it was built by college students back in 1983 using primitive tools. It's a good place to stop and pick up maps of the area in order to learn more about the numerous trails located in the gorge.  There are two main attractions which draw visitors to this side of the Gorge: Wiseman's Overlook and Linville Falls.  While there's direct access to Linville Falls from the Blue Ridge Parkway, there is an alternate, 'back' entrance and parking lot located not far from the cabin above on what is known as Kistler Memorial Highway (NC 1238).  To call this a highway is a stretch, it's all gravel and pretty rough in places. While you're in the area, be sure to check out Chestoa View, an easily accessible overlook just a short distance south on the Parkway. On the other side of the Gorge is the magnificent Table Rock - the trail and views from there are unforgettable.

More information on Linville Gorge and Wiseman's Overlook click here and here.

Directions: Click here.

hidden talents

It appears that nature has hid at the bottom of our hearts talents and abilities unknown to us. It is only the passions that have the power of bringing them to light, and sometimes give us views more true and more perfect than art could possibly do. 
--François de la Rochefoucauld (1613-1680) French author.  

The view of Linville Gorge and Hawksbill Mountain from Wiseman's View.  Click here for more discussion and directions to this spectacular overlook near Linville Falls and the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Chestoa View

A man practices the art of adventure when he breaks the chain of routine and renews his life through reading new books, traveling to new places, making new friends, taking up new hobbies and adopting new viewpoints. 
--Wilfred Peterson (1900-1995) author. 

Chestoa View Overlook is located at Mile 320 of the Blue Ridge Parkway, near two of the most spectacular waterfalls on or near the parkway...Linville Falls (Mile 316.4) and Crabtree Falls (Mile 339.5). There are so many pulloffs and overlooks along the parkway, it's hard to know which ones are worth the stop. Chestoa is definitely one of them.  It offers a terrific view of Linville Gorge, including Hawksbill Mountain and Table Rock -- and while there are great views to be had around nearly ever bend of the parkway, this one is exceptional. And it's only a hop, skip and a jump from the parking area -- only about 100 yards down an easy stair-stepped path.  For those who need more of a leg stretcher, there's a 0.6 mile trail (rated as 'easy') that leads to more views.  But the best view to be had is the one from the viewing platform you see above.  While you're in the area, I also recommend stopping off at Wiseman's Overlook to take in the beauty of Linville Gorge (but I recommend a high clearance vehicle for that one).

I don't know who the man is in my photo.  I was actually getting set up to take the photo, after waiting for various groups to leave, when he jumped into my shot.  To be honest, I was a little frustrated at first, but then I realized it was a better shot with him in there. :)  So thank you, my Russian friend.

More Chestoa View images here.

the summit

You cannot stay on the summit forever; you have to come down again. So why bother in the first place? Just this: What is above knows what is below, but what is below does not know what is above. One climbs, one sees. One descends, one sees no longer, but one has seen. There is an art of conducting oneself in the lower regions by the memory of what one saw higher up.
--Rene Daumal (1908-1944) French writer and poet

The view from Table Rock in western North Carolina. It's a bit of a long and rough drive to get to the trailhead, but the mile long trail itself is pretty easy, with lots of beautiful overlooks along the way, culminating in stunning panoramic views of the Linville Gorge when you reach the top. Click above for more photos and directions.

Wiseman's View Revisited

I posted a similar photo this summer of Wiseman's View looking out at Hawksbill and Table Rock. This is another overlook at Wiseman's which shows the vast Linville Gorge looking east. It's not a very colorful view this time of year, but still an impressive sight. Wiseman's is a popular destination near Linville Falls, and just five miles off of the Blue Ridge Parkway. The gravel road to Wiseman's is in good shape, but it can be steep, so I don't think I'd want to try it in the snow. Unfortunately, the parkway has sections that are closed in the winter which makes it difficult to give directions. If you're planning a trip, be sure to check out this site which lists a few of the closed sections. The main closures in our area to be aware of are...

Mile 367.6 to 355.3 near Craggy Gardens outside of Asheville; and
Mile 285.5 to 291.8 in the Boone/Blowing Rock Area

It's too bad this site doesn't list all the winter closures. For instance, I know the Parkway is closed right now immediately south of the exit for the community of Linville Falls (mile 317.55). I accessed the Parkway from NC Route 181 at Mile 312.25 outside of Pineola and headed south to the falls and Wiseman's. For complete directions to Wiseman's, click here.

Linville Gorge

This is a photo of Milligan College photography student Michael Kaal, taken this past weekend on Table Rock overlooking the Linville Gorge in western North Carolina. It's one of the most dramatic 360 degree views you'll find anywhere in our region -- absolutely stunning. To get to there is a fairly short (1 mile), moderately steep hike. Table Rock isn't flat like you'd assume from its name or from its profile as seen from Wiseman's View on the other side of the gorge. But it's a very fun place to explore -- lots of rock out-croppings to climb around and amazing views in every direction. If you're around the Linville Falls area on the Blue Ridge Parkway and want to check out Table Rock, click here for directions. Linville Gorge is also a favorite destination for rock climbers -- click here for more.

fought, risked and given

I hope my achievements in life shall be these...
that I will have fought
for what was right and fair,
that I will have risked
for that which mattered,
that I will have given help
to those who were in need,
that I will have left the earth
a better place
for what I've done
and who I've been.
--C. Hoppe

Above: Jeremiah on Table Rock overlooking the Linville Gorge

On the Trail to Table Rock

If you look back at my post on Wiseman's View, you will see Table Rock on the other side of Linville Gorge on the right hand side of the photo. From the main road, it's 8.7 miles (mostly gravel) to the parking area/trailhead -- allow plenty of time for the drive, although it's pretty well maintained, it's s-l-o-w going. From the information I found, the road to the top is open from April 1st to October 31st. The one-mile hike itself is moderately steep -- but as long as it's not too hot out it's not bad. The shot above was taken on the trail to the top. I think in the distance you see what is known as The Chimneys. The view from the top of Table Rock is amazing -- it offers commanding views of Linville Gorge, Hawksbill Mountain, The Chimneys and views in all directions. The day we were there it was midday and hazy, and I can't say any of my shots do it justice. I'm looking forward to going back and exploring the area more! Click here for more information.

Directions. Exit the Blue Ridge Parkway at Mile 312 and turn left towards Morganton, driving about 5 miles on Route 181. Look for a forest service sign pointing the way to Table Rock (to the right) -- this is Gingercake Road (in 0.3 miles it will turn into Table Rock Road). You will soon leave the neighborhood and the paved road. It's another 8.5 miles to the top (it takes 30+ minutes). At the top the trailhead is clearly marked - along the way to the top there were a couple of side trails, just keep heading up and follow the arrows! Here's a good introduction to Linville Gorge, complete with map!

Wiseman's View

Perched nearly 1500 feet above the Linville River, Wiseman's View overlooks the deepest gorge in the eastern US. From this vantage point, not only do you get a magnificent view of the rugged Linville Gorge, but you also get a commanding view of Hawksbill Mountain (above left) and Table Rock (right). Click here and here for more information on Linville Gorge. It is also one of the places from which the mysterious "brown mountain lights" can be seen -- click here for more information and other viewing locations. And while you're in the area, be sure to check out the view from Chestoa View Overlook (Mile 320 on the Parkway).

Directions: Wiseman's View is a 20 minute drive from the Blue Ridge Parkway. Take the exit for the community of Linville Falls, NC (Mile 317.5, one exit south of the entrance to Linville Falls). Turn left toward town onto Route 221 and drive 0.6 miles, then turn left onto Route 183 and proceed 0.7 miles. A sign will point the way to Wiseman's View (turn right onto Route 1238) and drive for 4 miles. This road is gravel, narrow and sometimes quite steep, but in fairly good shape. Still, I'd recommend a high clearance vehicle (SUV or van). The road is closed in the winter months. On the way you will pass the following stops (in order)...

1. Alternate parking area for Linville Falls
2. Information Cabin and restrooms (on your right)
3. Parking area for Pine Gap Trail
4. Parking area for Bynum Bluff Trail
5. Parking area Cabin Trail
6. Parking area for Babel Tower Trail
7. A sign will point the way (to the left) for Wiseman's View. From here it's a short drive to the parking area and a fairly easy walk to the lookout points (1/3 mile walk I'd guess).

Click here to see an autumn photo of Hawksbill Mountain.

Click here for directions and description of hike to the top of Table Rock. More photos here.