Communities
Backpacking Near McDowell County NC
By HarrisRealty.org

Would you love to hear nature’s music—the sounds of the rippling streams, chirping peepers, the mellow hoot of an owl?   Pristine mountain streams and thundering waterfalls have carved out some of the most rewarding backpacking sites in America around McDowell County real estate. 

Hit the trail at Lake James State Park, Linville, Blue Ridge Pinnacle, Grandfather Mountain, and Pisgah National Forest, or even step out to the Mountains-to-Sea Trail.  As the sun sinks below the mountains in Western North Carolina, see yourself set camp at your specially chosen sites, maybe primitive or a more comfortable place with showers. 

From the doorway of your property in Marion, Lake James State Park is the obvious first step.  If you are taking your family (and the dog) on a spring hike, even the baby in your backpack will enjoy the trek around Lake James near Nebo real estate. 

As you leave behind the cares of the office, quiet gratitude may swell in your chest, gratitude for people with the foresight to preserve the treasure of Lake James for you to enjoy.  Footpaths pass by refreshing stands of azalea and rhododendron, singing birds, and cautious chipmunks.  There’s a 2.2-mile trek and even a 4.2-mile jaunt that climbs 220 feet.  Head deeper into the woodlands and find some marvelous views of Lake James, maybe by taking the short trail to the Sandy Cliff Overlook.  Campgrounds are strategically placed, like the one at the Lake Channel Overlook.  See http://ils.unc.edu/parkproject/visit/laja/laja.pdf for more information.

For those outdoor enthusiasts who truly want to avoid the campground sounds of bug zappers and hissing propane lanterns in the evening air, backpacking the High Country is the ticket.  Check http://ncnatural.com/NCUSFS/Pisgah/gftoefac.html for a glimpse of possibilities.

Grandfather Mountain, a gorgeous, privately owned bio-preserve, offers numerous well-maintained trails and campsites.  Backpacking along the trails is by permit only.

The North Carolina Mountains-to-Sea Trail runs 908 miles and through 37 counties, including McDowell, from the Great Smokey Mountains to the Atlantic Coast.  Within the High Country, the trail runs through Pisgah National Forest and Mt. Mitchell, across Beacon Heights along the Blue Ridge Parkway and over Table Rock within the Linville Gorge.  

The spectacular Linville Gorge offers 39 miles of trails, many of which can challenge even the most experienced hiker. Primitive camping is permitted throughout the gorge, with permits required on weekends and holidays from May 1 to October 31.

Wilson Creek and Lost Cove offer 25 miles of trails wandering through the deep valleys and gorges of the Pisgah National Forest.  There are some excellent primitive camping options with abundant waterfalls and wildlife.

Blue Ridge Pinnacle is the McDowell County Highpoint at 5,665 feet is a 2-mile hike with about a 400-foot increase.  The summit of this little peak is a rocky jumble but offers a pleasant view to the south.

Hikers and packers appreciate being able to experience the pristine elements of the outdoors.  Traveling in backcountry can be hazardous and yet safe for those who take precautions.  Reading a guidebook and obtaining the right equipment will help you enjoy your journey.  Loud voices and boom boxes are best left at home, so the sounds of nature like the calm breezes rustling through the branches and the crackling of the campfire can better re-create your spirit.  The following website may help you delve outdoors in North Carolina:  http://www.cs.unca.edu/nfsnc/recreation/recreate.htm.

Recommended trails within 50 miles of Harris Realty:

North Carolina
     Dupont State Forest Burnt Mountain (48 miles away)
     Pisgah National Forest Black Mountain Trail (48 mi.); Buckhorn Gap / Avery Creek (48 mi.); Buncombe Horse Range Trail (17 mi.); Laurel Gap Trail (24 mi.); Laurel Mountain (43 mi.); and Golden Ridge Trail (32 mi.)
     South Mountain State Park Area Trails (18 mi.)
     Julian Price Memorial Park Area Trails (31 mi.)
     Moses Cone Memorial Park Area Trails (31 mi.)
     Nantahala National Forest Appalachian Trail - Albert Mountain Loop (32 mi.); Rim Trail (32 mi.)
 
South Carolina
     Ceasars Head State Park Ravens Cliffs Trail (50 mi.)
  
Tennessee
     Great Smoky Mountains National Park Noland Divide Trail (32 mi.); Noland Divide Trail (32 mi.)