TWWers . . . anyone know much about Linville Gorge? Looking for a 2 or 3 day loop if anyone has any recommendations.

5/4/2015 9:50:05 PM

Its an amazing place

Remember after memorial day, you need a permit to camp in the wilderness area.

Its kinda difficult to do a loop in the gorge without hiking on Kistler Memorial Highway (not a highway, more of a forest road), or if on the eastern Rim some other access roads. This is typically not a huge deal, but you will be hiking on a backwoods forest road (there are camp sites sprinkled along it as well). If you can swing shuttling cars then that is what I'd recommend.

Possible Loops:

Babel Tower Trail to Cabin Trail or Bynum Bluff Trail - 1 night, (1 long day + 1 long day) - Babel Tower is the spot to be in the Northern part of the gorge. Its a tower of rock in the absolute middle of the gorge (the river actually doglegs around it) so you get an almost 360 degree view of the gorge. You can camp at the bottom of it along the river, although camping here is kinda limited and gets crowded quickly on big weekends. You can then head up the linville gorge trail, exit the gorge on Cabin trail or bynum bluff (lots of campsites at the trailhead of bynum bluffs), and then walk south along Kistler memorial back to the Babel tower trailhead. Babel Tower to the bottom of the gorge is a hell of a trip, very rocky, big drops, relatively steep so give yourself plenty of time.

Probably requires shuttling:

Pinch-in to Conley Cove - can be done in 1 night (1 long day + 1 medium day) - Highly recommended. Southern section of the gorge. Conley cove is forgettable but Pinch-In is one of the best trails I've been on in NC. Feels like something out west. There was a fire that killed a ton of trees along Pinch-In so you get great views all the way from the rim to the bottom of the gorge. You get great views of Shortoff, the Chimneys, and Table rock, just huge rock formations on the other side of the gorge. Camp along the river, get some adventure hiking the Linville Gorge Trail (rarely marked that well) and then slog out up Conley cove on your last day. If you're going soon check out Daffodil Flats (google it) for a chance to see an old homesite garden and for some great pictures. It could possibly be made a loop but you'd be on Kistler Memorial for A WHILE. Just doesn't seem ideal.

Spence Ridge to Devil's Hole - I've never completed it, unsure on length, possibly 2 nights (3 medium days) - requires crossing the linville river twice and the crossing areas/footbridges are notorious for being gone and unidentifiable. Devil's Hole was a medium steepness dry creek bed all the way to the river and was a decent trail. Really good fishing at the bottom of this trail. We attempted to find the river crossing but had to turn around after having no luck. There's really no chance of making this a loop IMO.

All of these could easily be extended to 2 nights, if you take it slower and enjoy yourself in camp. Even if you end up having to do an in and back its well worth it to get into the gorge. Other areas you might consider are the Wilson Creek Area. More potential for Loops, but slightly less scenic (if you are looking for vistas, rock formations, and cliffs).

5/4/2015 11:03:13 PM

check this out

http://www.linvillegorgeadventures.com/

I know Phil personally. He is an amazing guide and person.

5/8/2015 4:31:14 PM

Quote :

"Its kinda difficult to do a loop in the gorge without hiking on Kistler Memorial Highway (not a highway, more of a forest road), or if on the eastern Rim some other access roads. This is typically not a huge deal, but you will be hiking on a backwoods forest road (there are camp sites sprinkled along it as well). If you can swing shuttling cars then that is what I'd recommend."

I've done the loop twice without having to go on these roads.

Check out this map:

http://www.linvillegorge.net/images/linvillemastermap.jpg

It's even got campsites on it.

But yeah +1 for Wilson Creek. That area is AWESOME!

[Edited on May 15, 2015 at 2:57 PM. Reason : s]

5/15/2015 2:57:08 PM

- I really like the view from Hawksbill. I could have stayed there for hours...
- Table rock is a classic and super easy one. It will be crowded this weekend (if that's your plan).
- Devils hole was awesome but such a bitch! Some people only go up or down... whereas we went as a day trip and started at Jonas Ridge, went down to the gorge, then went back up. Bring a rope though. I'm not sure I would have been able to have gotten to the river without one.

5/19/2015 10:43:36 PM

I love Wilson's Creek. The whole area is just great. It's more of a day hike thing as far as distances go, but it's well worth it. It's my favourite hiking spot by far, although I tend to focus more in the Lost Cove area, slightly to the north.

5/20/2015 11:16:01 PM

My favorite loop in Wilson Creek:



http://www.hikewnc.info/besthikes/wilson-creek/harper-creek-falls

[Edited on May 21, 2015 at 12:52 AM. Reason : link]

5/21/2015 12:51:46 AM