Panthertown Valley might not have any panthers anymore, but it feels about as wild as a big cat on the prowl. The valley is a 6,295-acre swath of Nantahala National Forest in the far southwest corner of North Carolina about…
Mountains Sourth
Hikes in the southern mountains of North Carolina
First hike to Rainbow Falls in Gorges State Park
by tom • April 12, 2011 • 4 Comments
The first time I landed in Transylvania County, I figured the “Land of Waterfalls” signs represented the typical rural region overselling its meager asserts. Well, two awesome waterfall hikes in two visits has turned me around. This week’s source of…
Waterfall hike at DuPont State Forest
by tom • March 13, 2011 • 6 Comments
Lower section of Triple Falls If I drive 170 miles one way to see a waterfall, it’s better be one kick-ass waterfall. This one is. Times two. And it’s in the coolest-named county in the Carolinas: Transylvania. DuPont State Forest…
Beyond the falls at South Mountains State Park
by tom • October 11, 2010 • 3 Comments
The quick read on South Mountains State Park is “High Shoals Falls and Everything Else.” This week I went looking for everything else. Actually I did stop by the waterfall — it’s right on the main route to the interior…
Quick trip to Clingmans Dome
by tom • July 12, 2010 • 7 Comments
The road to Clingmans Dome — highest point in Great Smoky Mountains National Park — opened a few weeks back after a long closure for renovations, so it’s been high on my list of places to check out.
First look: South Mountains State Park
by tom • May 16, 2010 • 8 Comments
It took me 30 years to rediscover how much I liked walking in the woods, so I guess it’s an improvement that it took a mere nine months to discover a park that suits me almost perfectly. South Mountains State…