Blueridge Parkway
Jul 23rd, 2000 | 01:44 PM
#4
Guest
Posts: n/a
Hi Kaye. If you want to do the whole thing, I have several opinions. Bear in mind this is my "take" on it.
Although I have spent many hours on various sections of the parkway, I have never driven the whole length of it in one trip. But, over the last 38 years, I have covered all of it more than once.
The Parkway starts at mile 0 where the Skyline Drive in Shenandoah NP ends.
US 250 from Charlottesville and Waynesboro Va cross near the 0 mile post.
The initial part of the Parkway to me is the least interesting, although it is not without scenic value.
In this initial portion, the area called Peaks of Otter is interesting.
Roanoke Mountain, southeast of Roanoke Virginia has some scenic views on a mountain drive. Rocky Know also is pretty.
The first point of real interest to me is Mabry Mill at milepost 176. The recreation of the old mill built by John Mabry is fascinating as well as historic. From there south, interest begins to pick up at Cumberland Knob and Daughton Park, mile 240. Bluffs Lodge is a most peaceful place to spend the night if you can get a room. The lodge overlooks a cow pasture, complete with cows, and a trail leads to a mockup of an old whisky still. The National Park Service, in its infinite wisdom, removed some of the vital parts of the style in deference to local preachers who feared that showing a fully operational still would induce people to become moonshiners by giving them the necessary instruction!! (As we all know there is absolutely no moonshining at all in any part of North Carolina because of such activist programs!!)
After you leave Doughton (pronounced like doubt)park, things really start to get interesting. Near the resort town of Blowing Rock, there is the Moses H. Cone center that now exhibits and sells genuine handicraft articles. Nearby, you come to Price Park and lake.
Thereafter, you traverse the newest section of the Parkway -- the Lynn Cove Viaduct around Grandfather Mountain. The viaduct is something of an engineering marvel and is worth a look.
Then you come to the scenic Linville Falls, which are worth a detour and hike to the view points. Take the trails on the right bank (as you go down stream) because these lead to the best viewpoints.
Later on you come to the Museum of North Carolina Minerals, which is worth a look. Then you soon come to Crabtree Meadows, mile 332-339. The chief attraction here is Crabtree Falls, which are reached via a trail that is a little steep coming back. But our friends with their 3 year old daughter made it fine.
After Crabree, you enter the highest sections of the Parkway. Mount Mitchell state park can be reached on a spur road. This of course is the highest point east of the Mississippi River, and is well worth a detour on a clear day.
Close to Mount Mitchell, lies Craggy Gardens. This area is best in late June with the rhodendron are in bloom. But any time the rocky pinnacle gives a stunning view of the area.
About mile 380 (and that is an approximation) you pass the Folk Art Center which has a beautiful collection of mountain crafts. Beautiful items are on sale such as jewelry, quilts, shawls, and all sorts of candles, candle holders, and many other items.
After passing Ashville, at mile 408 you come to Mount Pisgah, with its fine motel. If you can get reservations there, do so. It is a nice place to stay along that section of the parkway.
From Pisgah to the Smokies is my favorite part. You pass such attractions as Graveyard Fields, Devil's Courthouse, and Waterock Knob. The elevation here at times is over 6,000 feet which gives a wide variety of terrain and scenic views.
Well, that is a quick overview. I suggest you get a good guide book and read up on what interests you. But I think you will enjoy the trip. It could take you 3 to 4 days to make the journey.
Although I have spent many hours on various sections of the parkway, I have never driven the whole length of it in one trip. But, over the last 38 years, I have covered all of it more than once.
The Parkway starts at mile 0 where the Skyline Drive in Shenandoah NP ends.
US 250 from Charlottesville and Waynesboro Va cross near the 0 mile post.
The initial part of the Parkway to me is the least interesting, although it is not without scenic value.
In this initial portion, the area called Peaks of Otter is interesting.
Roanoke Mountain, southeast of Roanoke Virginia has some scenic views on a mountain drive. Rocky Know also is pretty.
The first point of real interest to me is Mabry Mill at milepost 176. The recreation of the old mill built by John Mabry is fascinating as well as historic. From there south, interest begins to pick up at Cumberland Knob and Daughton Park, mile 240. Bluffs Lodge is a most peaceful place to spend the night if you can get a room. The lodge overlooks a cow pasture, complete with cows, and a trail leads to a mockup of an old whisky still. The National Park Service, in its infinite wisdom, removed some of the vital parts of the style in deference to local preachers who feared that showing a fully operational still would induce people to become moonshiners by giving them the necessary instruction!! (As we all know there is absolutely no moonshining at all in any part of North Carolina because of such activist programs!!)
After you leave Doughton (pronounced like doubt)park, things really start to get interesting. Near the resort town of Blowing Rock, there is the Moses H. Cone center that now exhibits and sells genuine handicraft articles. Nearby, you come to Price Park and lake.
Thereafter, you traverse the newest section of the Parkway -- the Lynn Cove Viaduct around Grandfather Mountain. The viaduct is something of an engineering marvel and is worth a look.
Then you come to the scenic Linville Falls, which are worth a detour and hike to the view points. Take the trails on the right bank (as you go down stream) because these lead to the best viewpoints.
Later on you come to the Museum of North Carolina Minerals, which is worth a look. Then you soon come to Crabtree Meadows, mile 332-339. The chief attraction here is Crabtree Falls, which are reached via a trail that is a little steep coming back. But our friends with their 3 year old daughter made it fine.
After Crabree, you enter the highest sections of the Parkway. Mount Mitchell state park can be reached on a spur road. This of course is the highest point east of the Mississippi River, and is well worth a detour on a clear day.
Close to Mount Mitchell, lies Craggy Gardens. This area is best in late June with the rhodendron are in bloom. But any time the rocky pinnacle gives a stunning view of the area.
About mile 380 (and that is an approximation) you pass the Folk Art Center which has a beautiful collection of mountain crafts. Beautiful items are on sale such as jewelry, quilts, shawls, and all sorts of candles, candle holders, and many other items.
After passing Ashville, at mile 408 you come to Mount Pisgah, with its fine motel. If you can get reservations there, do so. It is a nice place to stay along that section of the parkway.
From Pisgah to the Smokies is my favorite part. You pass such attractions as Graveyard Fields, Devil's Courthouse, and Waterock Knob. The elevation here at times is over 6,000 feet which gives a wide variety of terrain and scenic views.
Well, that is a quick overview. I suggest you get a good guide book and read up on what interests you. But I think you will enjoy the trip. It could take you 3 to 4 days to make the journey.
Jul 23rd, 2000 | 05:02 PM
#5
Guest
Posts: n/a
Sounds great! Thanks for your imput and we have a tour book on it's way...just don't always trust them.
Years ago we were in the Grandfather Mountain area with the kids and now want to go back and enjoy the area by ourselves. We want to enjoy the scenery alond the parkway and do a little hiking...no definite plans this time. (rare for us)
Years ago we were in the Grandfather Mountain area with the kids and now want to go back and enjoy the area by ourselves. We want to enjoy the scenery alond the parkway and do a little hiking...no definite plans this time. (rare for us)
Jul 23rd, 2000 | 07:47 PM
#6
Guest
Posts: n/a
The walks around Linville Falls are pretty, and lead to rewarding views.
The walk to Crabtree Falls is a fun one. You can come back the way you went down or take a longer route back, if you feel like walking more. There is a trail to a viewing platform on top of Mt. Pisgah right by the TV broadcasting tower.
The viewing platform is essential to get you up above the bushes so you can see!
At Devil's Courthouse, the trail is short but steep. It leads to a rocky outcrop that provides lovely views to the south and east.
The trail to the top of Waterrock Knob is also steep, but great views from the top. At Graveyard Fields, so called because of fallen trees that give an illusion of graves, there is a trail to the various cascades.
Pretty place. And at Doughton Park, other than the short walk to the whiskey still, there are some other short hikes that are interesting. If you detour by Mount Mitchell, the walk up to the viewing tower is worth the effort on a clear day. I have been to Mt. Mitchell many times, but I have NEVER been there when the weather was clear. I seem to bring rain to Mt. Mitchell.
Of all the places to stay overnight on the Parkway, I like the Mt. Pisgah Inn the best. It is a busy place in the summer, however.
The walk to Crabtree Falls is a fun one. You can come back the way you went down or take a longer route back, if you feel like walking more. There is a trail to a viewing platform on top of Mt. Pisgah right by the TV broadcasting tower.
The viewing platform is essential to get you up above the bushes so you can see!
At Devil's Courthouse, the trail is short but steep. It leads to a rocky outcrop that provides lovely views to the south and east.
The trail to the top of Waterrock Knob is also steep, but great views from the top. At Graveyard Fields, so called because of fallen trees that give an illusion of graves, there is a trail to the various cascades.
Pretty place. And at Doughton Park, other than the short walk to the whiskey still, there are some other short hikes that are interesting. If you detour by Mount Mitchell, the walk up to the viewing tower is worth the effort on a clear day. I have been to Mt. Mitchell many times, but I have NEVER been there when the weather was clear. I seem to bring rain to Mt. Mitchell.
Of all the places to stay overnight on the Parkway, I like the Mt. Pisgah Inn the best. It is a busy place in the summer, however.
Jul 24th, 2000 | 05:04 AM
#7
Guest
Posts: n/a
You will probably want to see some of the waterfalls. There are many excellent ones. In the areas south of Asheville, particulary Trannsylvania County (just watch out for the vampires), there is a large concentration. Some require hikes of 10 minutes to several hours, but many are on the road or just off it. Some of the best include Crabtree, Whitewater, Linville, Rainbow, Cullasaja,and Looking Glass. Most are very accessible. If you decide to pursue these, get a copy of "North Carolina Waterfalls: Where to Find Them, How to Photograph Them" by Kevin Adams.
