High Country Offers Variety Of Hiking Trails
The thermometer outside might be shivering, but that shouldn’t
always keep outdoor enthusiasts from enjoying the bounty of Mother
Nature’s High Country hiking trails.
One of the area’s best locations to enjoy winter treks is the
Moses Cone Manor Park on the Blue Ridge Parkway. It boasts 25 miles
of gently sloping carriage trails, which are considerably safer during
the winter than many of the High Country’s steeper trails, where
one slip on ice can lead to a 50-foot fall.
The trails are wide and well maintained so they offer a variety of
uses, from hiking to jogging to horseback riding to cross-country
skiing.
Moses Cone Park is about 15 to 20 minutes from the intersection of
Highways 321 and 105 in Boone. From that intersection take Highway
321 south toward Blowing Rock, then take the Blue Ridge Parkway south.
The park is just about a mile from there at Milepost 294.
Because Moses Cone is located on the parkway anyone planning on hiking
there in the winter would be wise to call the BRP office to make sure
which parkway sections are opened and closed. For statewide BRP conditions
call (828) 350-3827.
The Parkway Craft Center there is closed during the winter so individual
trail maps are not available, but there is a centralized trail map
sign on the grounds.
One of my favorite Moses Cone strolls is the Rich Mountain Road trail,
which is anywhere from about 1.5 to 2.6 miles one-way. That’s
because after the first .6 miles hikers can choose between longer
and shorter alternatives to reach the trail’s apex.
The easiest way to reach the trailhead from the Cone Manor parking
lot is to turn left (south) onto the parkway, then drive about .5
miles and turn left onto the Highway 221 and Shull’s Mill Road
exit. Take the first right onto Shull’s Mill Road and drive under
the parkway.
Follow Shull’s Mill Road for about .5 miles past Trout Lake and
look for a sharp curve to the left. In that curve (on the right side
of the road) is the gate to the trail and enough parking for two or
three cars. If the parking spots are taken simply turn around park
in the Trout Lake paved parking lot and walk up the road to the trailhead.
This trail is about as wide as a one-lane road and consists of dirt
and gravel most of the way (when it’s not covered in snow and
ice). It is a gentle to moderate uphill grade most of the way out,
making walking in winter conditions much easier than clambering over
large boulders. One of the only difficulties for hikers here is avoiding
horse “by-products,” which frequently dot the trail.
Another, more dangerous difficulty if there is snow on the ground
are several spots that can become icy. I recommend a good pair of
hiking boots or shoes that are designed specifically for traction
on wet, icy or other types of slippery surfaces.
After about .6 miles the trail reaches an open field and presents
hikers with the option of turning right and taking a different path
that winds its way down to Trout Lake or continuing along the Rich
Mountain Road.
Follow the posted sign to take the Rich Mountain Road alternative.
Then just a few minutes later hikers can choose a longer path (another
two miles) or a shortcut (about one mile or less) to the trail’s
end.
The two alternatives eventually rejoin just before the path begins
a final spiral to its summit. There hikers can relax and enjoy the
peaceful sounds and sights of nature without intrusion from civilization.
There are no dump trucks belching clouds of black smoke into the air.
There are no loud radios. There are no ugly prefabricated apartment
complexes to spoil the view. The trail’s pinnacle also provides
a perfect place to sit down and enjoy a picnic lunch or snack.
Depending on your walking rate, how long you linger at the trail’s
summit and how much (if any) snow and ice you must negotiate along
the way, the round-trip from the trailhead should take anywhere from
two to three hours.
Two other trails in the area hikers might consider during the winter
are the 2.7-mile Price Lake Trail at Milepost 297 and the Greenway
Trail in Boone.
Winter temperatures can be downright deadly in the High Country
so always think about safety first when considering a hike. If it’s
below freezing and the wind is blowing at 40 miles per hour you should
probably stay inside instead of wading through 3 feet of snow for
two hours, especially if you’re not used to mountain weather.
If you are going to hike make sure and tell someone where you are
going and when you should be back. You might be able to run a marathon,
but if you slip on ice and break your leg you’ll wish someone
knew where to be looking for you. It’s also a good idea to bring
a cell phone along just in case.
Always dress warmly and in layers – mountain weather can change
in a matter of minutes from sunny and mild to freezing with strong
winds. Also be sure to bring warm gloves and a winter hat (no baseball
caps that don’t cover the ears).
Get Firefox