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Boone Hiking Expert: Mast General Store 630 King Street, Boone, NC( 828) 262-0000 || www. maststore. com
Beacon Heights on the Blue Ridge Parkway( Linville):
This nearly 1-mile, easy to moderate hike puts you in the middle of the big picture – with awesome views of Grandfather Mountain, and the dizzying drop to the Carolina Piedmont below. Cross the road behind the overlook, enter the woods and go right where the Tanawha Trail goes left. Head left at the next junction to emerge at another split at the top. A left here reaches craggy views of Grandfather Mountain. A right reaches a dome of rock with views to Grandmother Mountain and Mount Mitchell.
Directions from Boone: Take Hwy 105 S for 16.9 miles to left on US 221. Head 3 miles to turn onto the Parkway. Head south 0.1 mile to left into the Beacon Heights Overlook at milepost 305.2.
The Profile Trail, Grandfather Mountain( Banner Elk): The Grandaddy of all High Country hikes is this 7-mile round-trip trek to Calloway Peak, 5,646 ft. The views from the summit or nearby Watauga View are astounding and reach from the mountains to the Piedmont. Campsites are available for backpackers. The first mile along the Watauga River is easy, then you’ ll climb steeply at times to views of Grandfather’ s profile“ face” and on to the evergreen-clad peak. Hikers
must register at the trailhead. Directions from Boone: Take Hwy 105 S for 12.2 miles to left into the trailhead parking area just before reaching Tynecastle.
Elk Knob State Park( Todd): This hike takes visitors through highelevation hardwood forests on their way to the wooded summit of the 5,520 foot peak. The hike to the summit, with an overall elevation gain of 1000 feet, follows a newly constructed trail before taking a final push up a steep and rocky road. On the way, be on the look out for rare plant species such as Gray’ s Lily, Rattlesnake Root, Flame Azalea, and Purple Fringed Orchid. Elk Knob is also home to black bear, bobcat, wild turkey, white tailed deer, and a number of smaller mammals that thrive in this rugged mountainous area. Directions
from Boone: Take Hwy 194 N for 4.3 miles to left at Meat Camp Rd. Follow for 5.4 miles to Elk Knob State Park on the right.
Moses Cone / Flat Top Mountain Tower( Blowing Rock): This scenic, 2.8 mile hike ends with one of the most spectacular views in the High Country atop Flat Top Mountain. A roughly 40-foot metal tower provides incredible vistas from the summit. In decades past, this tower was used to keep an eye out for fires in the surrounding valleys. Nowadays, the tower provides a terrific view of Grandfather and Sugar Mountains, Blowing Rock, and Boone in a 360 ° panoramic view.
Directions from Boone: Take Hwy 321 S for 6.4 miles to right onto the Blue Ridge Parkway. Head south to the Moses Cone Manor on your left. To reach the firetower, cross beneath the parkway and continue along the doubletrack gravel path to a scenic vista in an open grassy field and continue up the trail to the tower on Flat Top Mountain.
Boone Climbing Expert: Rock Dimensions 139 S. Depot St., Boone, NC 828-265-3544 || rockdimensions. com
Shiprock Rock Climbing: The crown jewel of the High Country is the phenomenal trad climbing area of Shiprock. Located on the northeastern flank of Grandfather Mountain, Shiprock offers climbers incredible views of Grandfather Mountain and the Pisgah Forest below. The area features an abundance of traditional single and multipitch climbs from 5.7 to 5.13 covering everything from splitter cracks to run out slabs. Directions from Boone: Take 105 S for 17 miles to Linville. Turn left onto Hwy 221 N for 3 miles to to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Take a left onto the Parkway and head north for 5.8 to mile marker 303. The climbing area is accessed by hiking south for. 5 mile, around the sharp turn, to an unmarked trail on the right.
Tower to Rock” Instructional Climbing Program: A twohour instructional course at the tower prepares you for a half-day out on the real rock! This full day program is a great progression for families with mixed ages, couples, and friends looking for a good all-around introduction to the sport. Directions from Boone: This adventure is in the middle of downtown at Rock Dimensions’ climbing tower located at 139 S. Depot St.
Blowing Rock Boulders: The Blowing Rock Bouldering Area features a wide-range of problems of all grades. With mostly flat landings, incredible rock quality, a beautiful forest setting, and more than enough problems for the visiting climber to work through, the Blowing Rock Boulders are the place to be during the prime climbing season in the High Country. Start at the 5.10 wall for a warm-up before heading up to the Pump Wall Traverse to challenge yourself on one of the longest boulder problems in the area. Directions from Boone: Take Hwy 321 S for 6.8 miles to right onto 321 Business in to Blowing Rock. At the first stoplight turn right onto Hwy 221. Follow 221 for 1.6 miles to parking area on left at the rest area.
The Dump / Warpin’ Endorphins: With roadside access, a plethora of hard routes, and a handful of moderates, the area has been known to draw a crowd. The crag gets midday sun, perfect in the winter, but a little toasty on warmer days. For a full day, we recommend heading past the 5.10 wall to warmup on the 80-foot 5.9 Dancin’ With The Pope before moving onto the steep slab of Homegrown, a 5.9 + that has some fun, bouldery moves. Heading back toward the main wall, classics like VooDoo Child( 5.11a), Vermin and Slimen Hymen before jumping on the area test-piece, Ride the Lightning. Other options abound, so we recommend grabbing a topo from Rock Dimensions before heading out. Directions from Boone: Take Hwy 321 S for 6.8 miles to right onto 321 Business in to Blowing Rock. At the first stoplight turn right onto Hwy 221. Follow 221 towards Linville for 10.1 miles, pulling off at the large gravel pullout on the left. The crag is across the road up an established trail with rock steps.