ISO: very short hikes in BOONE, NC

[MrMiner2]

Thanks!! We won't have much time there.

[yerbyray]

Thanks!! We won't have much time there.

Beacon Heights Rough Ridge Hike
Watagua County
Length 4 hours
Rating 4
Leave one car at the Rough Ridge parking area and drive the other across the Linn Cove Viaduct past the US221 intersection to Beacon Heights parking area. Ascend to Beacon Heights for a view and then return to the Kanawha trail. Follow the trail to Linn Cove parking area and on the thetop of Rough Ridge. The scenery is beautiful and rock formations are impressive. This is especially beautiful in April with widldflowers in bloom.

Boone Fork #2 Hike
Watagua County
Length 4 hour
Rating 3
Drive south on the BRP from the US221 intersection to the picnic area. Turn right and park. Cross Boone Fork on the wooden bridge and you will see the trail. Go right downstream along the Boone Fork. The trail returns along another small stream up the mountain, then through a pasture to the campground. Follow the signs through the campground back to your car.

Boone Fork Hike
Watagua County
Length 1 hour
Rating 3
From Boone Drive south on US321 to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Turn south on the BRP on past the Craft Center to the US221 exit. Before entering US221, turn right on the Shull’s Mill Rd. Follow the curvy road for several miles until you see a row of large maple trees on the left side of the road. Park on the tree side of the road.
To go south on the trail, walk down to the wooden fence on the right side of the road. Enter the pasture and follow along the fence until you see the trail entrance on your left. Follow the trail to Boone Fork, cross on the rocks and turn right. The trail follows the river then up the mountain and back down to a series of rapids. Return the way you came.


Green Knob Hike
Watagua County
Length 2 hour
Rating 3
Drive south on the BRP from the US221 intersection to the first overlook. Walk down to the trail and go right up the mountain, out in the pasture for a beautiful view. Continue up a roadway to the top for second view of Price Lake and Calloway Peak. Descend and cross the parkway to Sims Pond. Go down the steps and follow the trail beside the beautiful Sims Creek back to your car.


Hebron Falls
Watagua County
Length 1 hour
Rating 2
Travel down Shull's Mill Road to Old Turnpike Rd to the left down the mountain. You will pass a fishpond on your left, then a series of mailboxes in a residential area. When you reach the forest, look for a distinct "U" in the road. There is a wide section for parking on the right. The trail leads left down the mountain. You will cross a small stream and arrive at a large stream, Boone Fork. Go upstream on the trail along the bank; the trail leads to a series of large rocks. Make your way on the rocks to the falls. This is beautiful in all seasons but especially impressive with the winter ice.


Price Lake Hike
Watagua County
Length 1 our
Rating 1
Drive south on the BRP to the Calloway Peak parking area on your left as you start up the mountain. Follow the trail upstream and under the bridge to the intersection. Return to your car by reversing your hike.


Rough Ridge Hike
Watagua County
Length 1 hour
Rating 3
Drive south on the BRP past the Rough Ridge parking area on your right. Park and follow the trail for the most scenic view in the area: Grandfather Mountain, Linn Cove Viaduct, and Wilson Creek Gorge. This is recommended for a moonlight hike; walk up at sunset and with a dinner. Wait for the moonrise for an inspiring view. Use a flashlight for the return.


Trout Lake Hike
Watagua County
Length 1 hour
Rating 3
From Boone Drive south on US321 to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Turn south on the BRP on past the Craft Center to the US221 exit. Before entering US221, turn right on the Shull’s Mill Rd. Follow the curvy road for several miles until you see a row of large maple trees on the left side of the road. Park on the tree side of the road. You will see a wooden ladder on your right to follow the trail north up the mountain then to Trout Lake. Circle the lake and return the way you came.


Upper Boone Fork Hike
Watagua County
Length 1 hour
Rating 2
Drive south on the BRP to the Calloway Peak parking area on your left as you start up the mountain. Follow the trail upstream and under the bridge to the intersection. Backtrack to your car.

Wilson Creek Rough Ridge Hike
Watagua County
Length 2 hour
Rating 4
Drive south on the BRP past the Rough Ridge parking area on your right. The next overlook on your left is Wilson Creek. Park here and follow the trail under the bridge till it intersects Tanawha trail. Turn right over the wooden bridge and follow the trail beside the rock formations to the top of Rough Ridge from the back side. Reverse trail to go back to your car.


Lost Cove Creek (falls) Hike
Watagua County
Length 5 hour
Rating 3
Drive south on the BRP from beacon Heights to the first crossroads. Turn left on a gravel road down the mountain. After 5 miles you will enter a small village called Roseborough. Keep straight until you see a bridge over the creek. On the right you will see a road into a campground. Park and walk uphill until you see a small descending stream. Look for the trail emerging on the opposite side of the stream. Follow the trail up the mountain until it intersects another trail at the top. Turn left and follow this trail 200 yards until you see another trail leading down the mountain to your right. Follow this down to Lost Cove Creek and a beautiful falls. This is a place for lunch as well as a swim in a large pool at the foot of the falls. The trail exits from the rock to the left. Follow the trail downstream. It is marked with a white dot. You will eventually leave Lost Cove creek following another creek upstream. You will pass 3 waterfalls and many rapids as you return to your car.


Roan Mountain Area Hike
Mitchell County
Length Depends
Rating 3
Drive south on nc105 from Boone to Linville. Take NC181 to Newland. Take NC194 to Elk Park. Continue on US19 east to Roan Mountain, TN. Turn left on the highway leading to Roan Mountain. Go to the top, between the two balds. Park and you can hike south over the balds along the AT or, you can turn right and go to the PVA at the top of Roan Mountain and hike the gardens or south on the AT. In May and June the Rhododendron are in Bloom. Peak is usually 2nd week in June.

Laurel Creek Falls Hike
Mitchell County
Length 4 hours
Rating 4
Drive south on nc105 from Boone to Linville. Take NC181 to Newland. Take NC194 to Elk Park. Drive east on US19 to Hampton, TN. Turn on US321 south through Hampton. Just outside of town you will see a sign reading “Laurel Falls.” Park a follow the blue blaze trail 1 ½ hours to the falls. Take your lunch to eat beneath the falls. A beautiful hike beside the stream. Traveling time is 1 hour each way from Boone.


Lost Cove Cliffs Hike
Avery County
Length 4 hours
Rating 3
Drive south on the BRP to the third crossroad south of the Beacon Heights parking area. Turn left into a residential area. You will see a large Christmas tree farm on your right. At the first crossroads turn left. Keep straight past a white church on your left. After you pass a house on your left look for a sign “Big Lost Cove Cliffs” on your left and the parking area on your right. It is about a 2-hour walk to the cliffs and back. To get to Little Lost Cove Cliffs continue on the forest service road. You will pass a picnic/camping area on your left. Continue for about one-half mile. You will see the sign on your right with the trail going uphill.


North Harper Falls / Yellow Buck Falls
Caldwell County
Length 4 hours
Rating 2
Drive south on the BRP to the third crossroad south of the Beacon Heights parking area. Turn left into a residential area. You will see a large Christmas tree farm on your right. At the first crossroads turn left. Keep straight past a white church on your left. After you pass a house on your left look for a sign “Big Lost Cove Cliffs” on your left and the parking area on your right. To get to Little Lost Cove Cliffs continue on the forest service road. You will pass a picnic/camping area on your left. Continue for about one-half mile. Continue on the gravel road to the “falls” trails. Look for Trail 266A on your right. Follow the trail down to North Harper Creek. Cross the stream and go downstream to Yellow Buck falls. There is a side trail leading to the creek bank to a distinct camping area. Here is a great view of the falls. Return and follow North Harper Trail besides the creek going upstream. You will see North Harper Falls. You can continue on the trail above the falls to see rapids. Return to Trail 266A back to your car.


Hunt Fish Falls Hike
Caldwell County
Length 1.5 hours
Rating 3
Drive south on the BRP to the third crossroad south of the Beacon Heights parking area. Turn left into a residential area. You will see a large Christmas tree farm on your right. At the first crossroads turn left. Keep straight past a white church on your left. After you pass a house on your left look for a sign “Big Lost Cove Cliffs” on your left and the parking area on your right. To get to Little Lost Cove Cliffs continue on the forest service road. You will pass a picnic/camping area on your left. Continue for about one-half mile. Continue on the gravel road to the sign for “Hunt Fish Falls”

This is a great picnic area and swimming hole.


South Harper Hike
Caldwell County
Length 4 hours
Rating 3
Drive south on the BRP to the third crossroad south of the Beacon Heights parking area. Turn left into a residential area. You will see a large Christmas tree farm on your right. At the first crossroads turn left. Keep straight past a white church on your left. After you pass a house on your left look for a sign “Big Lost Cove Cliffs” on your left and the parking area on your right. Continue on the forest road to the Persimmon Ridge Trail #270 on your right. The trail follows a roadway a short distance then turns sharply to the right going downhill. Follow the trail across the creek going downstream for about an hour. You will also see a side stream entering from the other side. Cross the main stream. You will see the trail going upstream beside the creek. Hike to the beautiful falls, about 2 hours. There are 6 stream crossings on rocks, which are slick. Backtrack to vehicle to leave.


Harper Creek Falls Hike
Caldwell County
Length 4 hours
Rating 3
Drive south on the BRP to the third crossroad south of the Beacon Heights parking area. Turn left into a residential area. You will see a large Christmas tree farm on your right. At the first crossroads turn left. Keep straight past a white church on your left. After you pass a house on your left look for a sign “Big Lost Cove Cliffs” on your left and the parking area on your right. Continue on the forest road to the Persimmon Ridge Trail #270 on your right. When you reach the signpost with no signs, keep straight going downstream. The falls have a nice wide waterslide with a pool at the bottom. Bring a bating suit under your clothes or rig a screen. Bring a picnic. Backtrack to leave.


Upper Creek Falls Hike
Caldwell County
Length 1hours
Rating 3
Drive south on the BRP from Beacon Heights parking area. Drive South on NC181. You will see the sign on the left with a large parking area. Go down the Upper Falls trail first. Cross the stream and follow the trail to viewing area. Continue downstream to Lower Creek Falls. Cross over the stream for the stream for the trail back to the car.

[RADHiker]

Wow...YR, well done. Boone Fork is a fav. Julian Price, too, if you want something flatter. Beautiful area!

[Chif]

Thanks for this list. My daughter is a freshman at Appalachian. I am going send her this list to complete before she graduates.

Chif

[joec]

There is a beautiful hike just behind the park in downtown Blowing Rock. It following a river going downhill, so it has many waterfalls etc.

[yerbyray]

There is a beautiful hike just behind the park in downtown Blowing Rock. It following a river going downhill, so it has many waterfalls etc.

Glen Burney Trail
http://www.exploreboone.com/outdoors/hiking/glen-burney-trail/