Welcome to the Boone Adventure Guide’s Local Picks section. Below you will find information on the best local outdoor adventure hand picked by folks that know the area best-Boone locals!
Local: Grant Seldomridge, River & Earth Adventures
Pick: Watauga River
The Watauga River is my favorite river. It’s coming out of some of the oldest mountains in the world, so it’s got this aura of mystique and the energy on that river is really special. As far as the whitewater goes, you can’t beat that. It’s got a variety of different river features that challenge everyone from entry level paddlers to experts who’ve done it a hundred times. From rapids like Stateline Falls to Hydro, the Watauga Gorge is just non-stop action. The further and further you get into the gorge, the wilderness aspect of the river really presents itself. The scenery changes as the elevation drops, the river banks get steeper, the rapids get bigger, and the river becomes a truly wild place that very few people get to see. The Watauga River Gorge is my favorite because it’s close to town.
Local: Ryan Beasley, Rock Dimensions
Pick: Shiprock, Grandfather Mountain
I like going to Shiprock because it’s a great place to for people who are just getting into climbing. The area has some really nice singlepitch climbing. One of my favorites is the Upper Tier area. This particular area has some great routes that are really spectacular. Lost at Sea, a 5.8, and Edge of a Dream, a 5.7, are two of the best climbs in the area. The area is above the tree line and the exposure and views there are really incredible. I like going to Shiprock because it has some of the best stone in the entire High Country. It’s great for trad climbing, and learning to place gear because there are a number of nice horizontal placements, there are some short cracks, and a good variety of different styles of climbs. It’s a good area to hit in the summer, and usually it isn’t too crowded because you have to be able to lead trad in order to climb there. It’s a great place for climbing, but one of the biggest perks of going there is definitely the view, it’s one of the best around, that’s for sure. There is an incredible view of Grandfather Mountain and you can look out at Table Rock and the Linville Gorge in the distance Even if you didn’t go climbing there, hiking to the top of Rough Ridge on the Rough Ridge Trail is one of the best hikes to do in the area. It’s a great place for single pitch climbing, but if somebody wanted to do more multi-pitch climbing, I’d recommend nearby Table Rock as one of the best options for that.
Local: Hanes Boren, Footsloggers
Pick: Cragway, Grandfather Mountain State Park
I really like the Cragway trail at Grandfather Mountain State Park. You access it by parking at the Boone Fork Trail Parking area on the Blue Ridge Parkway. What I love about this trail is that it is a loop trail that takes you up through one of the most scenic areas at Grandfather. The Nuwati trail leads back toward Storyteller Rock in the Boone Bowl, aka Medicine Valley. When you get out there, there are a few really nice campsites, and the view from Storyteller’s Rock is really nice. You can look out and see the surrounding Boone Bowl and get a good view of the rock outcroppings that make up the Cragway Trail. The Cragway offers some excellent hiking - it’s short, but steep, and along the way there are some great views from some really neat rock formations. At the top you reach the Flat Top View, which is really incredible. At that point you can intersect with the Daniel Boone Scout Trail and either head on up to the summit of Grandfather, or head downhill back to your car. I really like that area because of the diversity of the wildlife. It’s wonderful in the spring with the wildflowers and the rhododendrons are absolutely beautiful. Grandfather Mountain is just an incredible area and I feel very fortunate to have it so close to us and so accessible.
Local: Slate Lacey, Foscoe Fishing Co. & Outfitters
Pick: Holston and Watauga Rivers
I’m an equal parts Holston, equal parts Watauga fan. I like them both. The tailwater sections of those rivers are constantly cold and constantly flowing, which makes it a much more consistent fishery. The average size fish on those rivers is a lot bigger than what you’ll find on some of the other rivers. The fact that those rivers are larger allows you to float them in a drift boat, which makes for some really fun days on the water. You can’t beat either one of those rivers when it comes to catching a lot of big fish.
Local: Lynn Willis, Mast General Store
Pick: The Profile Trail
The Profile Trail on Grandfather Mountain is one of my favorite hikes as it has a variety of terrain that runs through an enchanted forest. It has some pretty big elevation gain with 1,900 ft. in 3 miles with the top out view from Calloway Peak being one of the best in the South. In the beginning, the trail follows along the headwaters of the Watauga River, then ascends up the steep trail past amazing rock formations and a view of the “profile”. Ahead, there’s more rock hopping, switch backs and ladders to climb near the top. In winter conditions, this trail is prime training ground in an alpine environment, especially if you climb the trail without the aid of the ladders. By the time you reach the bottom of the mountain again, the knees let you know that they were along for the ride too!
Local: Zika Rea, Zap Fitness
Pick: Moses Cone
The Moses Cone Trails are one of our favorite places to run. The footing is perfect, the trails are really well groomed, and the scenery is just beautiful. You can mix it up by running the flats along the lake or you can do some long climbs through the woods and come out into the open spaces up at the top with great views. There are a lot of different options out there. A great one is running up past the Moses Cone Manor House toward the Fire Tower. It’s a really challenging run - about five miles uphill - but when you get up to the top it’s just beautiful. You can see forever. The park itself is just great with many options for you to do. The trail through the Maze is also one of my favorites because it gives you a little bit more variety.
Local: Eric Woolridge, Watauga County TDA
Pick: Yancey Ridge Trail
The Yancey Ridge Trail is the epitome of a classic, cross-country, Pisgah Forest ride. The combination of the cross-country ridge riding, the nice climbs and fast descents mixed with some really technical terrain. Most of the trail you’re cruising along a stunning ridge, it isn’t too crazy, but down at the bottom there are these crazy erosion gullies that make for some really challenging, technical riding. All throughout that trail are tough challenges and crazy obstacles mixed with nice views. You’ve got log crossings, rocky boulder fields, deep gullies, all sorts of different types of terrain and then you get to these nice open hardwood forests and tight mountain laurel corridors. It’s got great climbs, good downhills, and really nice parts in between. If you like climbing, or you like downhill, you’ll probably like this place. Afterwards, if you’re not too worked when you get back to the parking / camping area, the nearby Gragg Prong Trail offers some of the coolest swimming holes in the area.
Local: Mike Boone, Magic Cycles
Pick: 221/Parkway Loop
The 221/Parkway loop is one of my favorite rides in the area, mostly because I can ride right out of my house or right out of the bike shop and head up Hwy 321 to Blowing Rock, get on the Parkway and loop back to my house. It’s about a 50 mile ride which makes for the perfect length for an afternoon ride. The nice thing about that ride is that when you climb up the Parkway you get to an incredible view of the Viaduct before heading back down Hwy 221. 221 is a really fun ride to come back on because it’s this really fast, windy road that curves through a beautiful forest, past some huge boulders, and around some really fun turns. It’s all downhill, for the most part, so you can roll really fast through there, which makes for a really fun ride.
Green’s Lick (Bent Creek, Mountain Bike)
// 6 Comments » // Asheville Biking
With 2.5 miles of advanced single-track that drops 800 feet in a constant barrage of high berms, rolling whoop-dedos, and big jumps, Green’s Lick is a local favorite. For about a two hour ride we like Deer Lake Lodge, left on Wolf Branch, right on 479E, left on Ingles Field Gap, at Five Points straight to North Boundary to Green’s Lick. Bomb Green’s Lick down, right on 479C and left on Lower Sidehill to get back to the parking lot.
Directions from Asheville: Take I-240 W to I-26 E and get off on Exit 2, NC 191. Turn left and head south on NC 191 for 2 miles. Turn right at the stoplight onto Bent Creek Ranch Road about 2 miles. We like the parking lot off 479 (dirt road) just past the Hardtimes trailhead parking.
Magic Cycles
// 1 Comment » // Boone Adventure Directory, Boone Biking Directory
Magic Cycles (est. 1993) is a locally owned and operated, full service bicycle retailer and repair shop located in beautiful downtown Boone, North Carolina. We are the area’s premier bike shop for discriminating riders. Whether you’re a beginner and just getting started or a pro looking to shave grams of weight or seconds off your time, we have a professionally trained staff to take care of your needs. We are committed to providing you with the best bike shop experience imaginable.
www.magiccycles.com / 828-265-2211 / 140 S. Depot St. Boone, NC
Zaloo’s Canoes
// 1 Comment » // Boone Adventure Directory, Boone Family Directory, Boone Perfect Weekend Directory, Boone River Directory
Zaloo’s Canoes is located on the South Fork of the New River and specializes in canoe, kayak, and tubing trips. Zaloo’s Canoes is the oldest and friendliest outfitter in the Blue Ridge Mountains with a prime riverside location just 4 miles from Jefferson, NC. Thirty one miles of river below Zaloo’s is part of the New River State Park with three campgrounds that make for great two to five day canoe and kayak camping trips.
www.zaloos.com / 800-535-4027 / 3874 NC Hwy 16 South Jefferson, NC
September Prize Package - September 2010 Drawing
// No Comments » // September Drawing
TOTAL VALUE $572
1 Eagles Nest Outfitters Doublenest Hammock
1 Ex Officio Give-N-Go® Underwear
1 Weekend Pass to October LEAF event
$100 Jus Running Gift Certificate
2 Entries to 2011 Sunset Stampede
2 Climbmax Bouldering Packages
lobz Primaloft Ear Warmers
Sof Sole Antifriction Socks
Polar Max Women’s Pants + Long Sleeve Base Layer
Polar Max Men’s Long Sleeve Base Layer
RLX Polo Sport Women’s Steamin Shorts
Riverlink Gift Package
October Prize Package - October 2010 Drawing
// No Comments » // October Drawing
TOTAL VALUE: $599
1 Cerro Torre Motier Hydration Pack
1 Vaude Waterproof Biking Pannier
1 Eagles Nest Outfitters Doublenest Hammock
RLX Polo Sport Backpack
RLX Polo Sport Women’s Pants
Sof Sole Hiking Insole
Sof Sole Antifriction Socks
Nuun Bottle and Hydration Tablets
lobz Primaloft Ear Warmers
Swix Ski Hat
Polar Max Women’s Long Sleeve Base Layer
Marmot Camping Cup
2 Climbmax Bouldering Packages
2 passes to the October Southern Highland Craft Guild Craft Fair
Riverlink Gift Package
Cedar Rock Trail (Dupont State Forest, Mountain Bike)
// 3 Comments » // Asheville Biking
Short but sweet, the 1.5-mile Cedar Rock Trail features a steep climb up eastern slickrock (large slabs of granite) topping out with killer views of Dupont State Forest. Take Big Rock trail from the top of the mountain for a fast, technical downhill over slickrock and single-track. We recommend a loop that includes Corn Mills Shoal to the Little River Trail to Cedar Rock Trail to Big Rock Trail. This loop is about 3 miles. Dupont has many trails so we highly recommend downloading a map from the site below or stopping at a local outdoor store to buy a map.
Directions from Asheville: Take I-26 E to Exit 40, and take NC 280 toward Pisgah Forest. Turn left (east) on US 64 and go 3.7 miles to the Texaco station in Penrose. Turn right on Crab Creek Rd. and continue 4.3 miles. Turn south 5.3 miles on DuPont Road that turns into Staton Road. Go past the Hooker Falls and Buck Forest Access Areas to a left at the end of Staton Road on Cascade Lakes Road. The Corn Mills Shoals Access Area is 0.8 miles on the right.
BRP to Looking Glass Rock Overlook (Parkway South, Road Ride, MP 388 to MP 417)
// No Comments » // Asheville Biking
Blue Ridge Parkway
Roughly 27 miles of steady climbing on one of the most famous roads in America. You’ll pass several impressive overlooks, pedal through a handful of tunnels, and cap off the ride with a view of Looking Glass Rock, a towering dome of granite deep in Pisgah National Forest. Turn around and enjoy the downhill back to town.
Directions from Asheville: Head south out of Asheville on McDowell St./US 25 S. This turns in to US 25 S/Hendersonville Rd. just past the Biltmore Estate. Follow this all the way to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Once on the Parkway, park anywhere and head south.
Town Mountain Hill Climb (City, Road Ride)
// 1 Comment » // Asheville Biking
A classic road ride with a 1500-foot climb up Town Mountain that begins on the edge of downtown. The twisty ride features cityscape and mountain views. Hook it up with the Blue Ridge Parkway (north) and descend the steep Elk Mountain for a 30+ mile “in town” ride.
Directions from Asheville: This ride is downtown off College St. right before you hit the Beaucatcher Tunnel which is east of town. Town Mountain Rd. is a left turn off College St. as you head east. The best bet for parking is any of the businesses on College St.
Explorer/Lower Sidehill Loop (Bent Creek, Mountain Bike)
// 1 Comment » // Asheville Biking
This intermediate 6.5-mile loop traverses some of Bent Creek’s most diverse terrain and features creek crossings, optional log rides, diverse woodlands & wildlife clearings with tremendous mountain vistas. After the ride be sure to cool off in Lake Powhatan.
Directions from Asheville: Take I-240 W to I-26 E and get off on Exit 2, NC 191. Turn left and head south on NC 191 for 2 miles. Turn right at the stoplight onto Bent Creek Ranch Road about 2 miles. We like the parking lot off 479 (dirt road) just past the Hardtimes trailhead parking.
Explore the Wilma Dykeman RiverWay
// 2 Comments » // Asheville City
New Section of the Wilma Dykeman RiverWay
Carrier Park and the French Broad River Park are the jewels of the 17-mile Wilma Dykeman RiverWay. At these two conjoined parks along Amboy Road, you can run or skate the paved greenways, fish from the piers, or pedal Asheville’s velodrome. Also be sure to check out the bocce fields, the dog park, volleyball and basketball courts, and softball fields. Recently, they added a new section just past Carrier Park that heads south along the river towards Bent Creek.
Directions: Take I-240 W to Exit 1-B (Farmers Market, Hwy. 191). Turn left at the light and pass over I-240. Turn left at the very next light (I-240 E/ I-26 W) and stay in the right lane. Take Exit 1-C (Amboy Rd.). There are two parking areas along Amboy Rd.—Carrier Park is the first on your right; the French Broad River Park will be on your left a few miles down Amboy.
Mountain Bike the Biltmore Estate
// 2 Comments » // Asheville City
Few people know the 8,000-acre Biltmore Estate houses several miles of sweet singletrack and doubletrack open to mountain bikes. A separate Bike Pass gets you access to the system of overlapping loops through picturesque terrain ideal for beginner and intermediate riders. Pick up your Bike Pass at the Welcome Center when you enter the Estate.
Directions: Head south on McDowell St./US 25 S for 1.3 miles. Turn right on Approach Rd. into the Biltmore Estate.
Go Climbing
// 1 Comment » // Asheville City
If you are looking to do some climbing at one of the best known climbing establishments in Asheville, head over to Climbmax Climbing Center. Head indoors to test your moves on over 4000 square feet of climbing space. If you want to feel the sunshine while climbing take a lap on their 40 foot outdoor climbing wall. The good thing about this climbing gym is that it has a challenge for all types of climbers—beginners, advanced, kids, adults, etc. Also, be sure to ask for Asheville’s own climbing guru—Stuart Cowles.
Directions: This is located in the heart of downtown on 43 Wall St.; one block over from the Grove Arcade.
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