I'll begin with an apology...only well after deciding to show you these photos from atop Table Rock did I realize...I already had. Last October I had not yet fallen upon the idea of my Thursday Travelogue, but did an entry on my weekend trip for 'leaf peeping'. However, those pics were highly compressed and did not enlarge much when you clicked on them; these are much larger and make for better wallpaper shots, etc. Onward with the repetition...!
From I-40 near Morganton you can look west and see the tell-tale flat top of Table Rock, sitting to the left of the more pointed Hawksbill, both pinnacles along the east rim of the Linville Gorge Wilderness area. The above view is one of few as you approach one of several parking areas along a lengthy gravel USFS road.
If you go all the way to the terminus and picnic area, the hike up is the shortest; while it will have you heaving and marveling at how out of shape you are, it is do-able...even with my knee problems I think I could take my time and do it...as you can see from the above vista up the gorge, it's worth every step once you get up on the table.
The gleaming white metasedimentary rocks are full of character and contrast to the foliage, which was especially lit up in fall's technicolor tapestry...
There are wonderful hiking opportunities down into the wilderness area in the gorge, as well as along the rim...the shot below is looking north to the next peak, Hawksbill.
I won't go into the legend of the Brown Mountain Lights, but it is this area around Table Rock and Hawksbill they are seen along neighboring Brown Mountain ridge, 10 miles or so from Morganton. There are lots of good vantage points in the area, be it Wiseman's View on the west rim of the Gorge, to pull-offs on Highway 181, which gets you to the USFS roads leading in to Table Rock.
This is also home-base for the North Carolina Outward Bound School, and you will often see them (and many others) doing technical rock climbing in the area. While these pictures make you feel like you have the place to yourself...well, forget that ever happening. It's a popular destination...and for good reason.
So if somebody tells you to go take a hike...take 'em up on the idea and spend some time at Table Rock.
From I-40 near Morganton you can look west and see the tell-tale flat top of Table Rock, sitting to the left of the more pointed Hawksbill, both pinnacles along the east rim of the Linville Gorge Wilderness area. The above view is one of few as you approach one of several parking areas along a lengthy gravel USFS road.
If you go all the way to the terminus and picnic area, the hike up is the shortest; while it will have you heaving and marveling at how out of shape you are, it is do-able...even with my knee problems I think I could take my time and do it...as you can see from the above vista up the gorge, it's worth every step once you get up on the table.
The gleaming white metasedimentary rocks are full of character and contrast to the foliage, which was especially lit up in fall's technicolor tapestry...
There are wonderful hiking opportunities down into the wilderness area in the gorge, as well as along the rim...the shot below is looking north to the next peak, Hawksbill.
I won't go into the legend of the Brown Mountain Lights, but it is this area around Table Rock and Hawksbill they are seen along neighboring Brown Mountain ridge, 10 miles or so from Morganton. There are lots of good vantage points in the area, be it Wiseman's View on the west rim of the Gorge, to pull-offs on Highway 181, which gets you to the USFS roads leading in to Table Rock.
This is also home-base for the North Carolina Outward Bound School, and you will often see them (and many others) doing technical rock climbing in the area. While these pictures make you feel like you have the place to yourself...well, forget that ever happening. It's a popular destination...and for good reason.
So if somebody tells you to go take a hike...take 'em up on the idea and spend some time at Table Rock.
1 comment:
Simply gorgeous, Bob!! Reminds me very much of the serendipity of a "perfect timing" visit to my brother's one October weekend many years ago when he lived in western (Bath County) VA! I remember writing in my journal, that I would be hard-pressed to find Fall colors so vivid and gorgeous --- looks like the Table Rock area "ranks right up there"!!
Thanks for sharing!
Suzy :)
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