Harvesting the Wild Abundance of the High Country
Seeing might be among the most important skills Holly has honed during her decade as a forager, the last few years of which have been dedicated to teaching others how to see—not just so they can gather the right plants for food and medicine but so they can see the world for its wonder, mystery, and unfathomable intricacy. Holly Drake is still learning to see and savor the delicious beauty all around her.
The Legend of Baker Perry
Baker Perry has deep roots in the High Country and an abiding fascination with the weather in the mountains of western North Carolina.Appalachian State Climatology Professor, Himalayan Mountaineer, National Geographic Explorer Baker Perry talks about his roots in the High Country of Boone, North Carolina.
Fishing in a Winter Wonderland
Boone-area veteran fly fishing guide Judson Conway joins son, Colter, on the frozen New River to discuss winter fishing and why the sport still excites him after three decades.
Joey Henson: A Boone Climbing Pioneer In Search of the Primitive
Boone-area rock climber Joey Henson seeks to embrace the primitive way of living–without hurry and with a kind of patience that allows for a deliberate enjoyment of place.
The Best Hiking in the High Country
Linville Gorge: 3 of our Favorite Hikes
The Linville Gorge Wilderness is 11,786 acres of amazing. Here’s 3 of our favorite excursions into this spectacular western North Carolina wild land. Photography by JC Garcia Wiseman’s View–A Linville Gorge Panorama Wiseman’s View provides visitors a panoramic experience from a pinnacle more than 1,400 feet above the gorge floor. The 4 mile stretch…
Wiseman’s View-Linville Gorge: A Quick Guide
Wiseman’s View in the Linville Gorge Wilderness provides visitors a panoramic experience from a pinnacle more than 1,400 feet above the gorge floor. The 4 mile stretch of gravel, rocky, sometimes-rutted road could leave you bottomed out, depending on how well-maintained you find it after heavy rain or snow. The view once you get there,…
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5 Snow Hikes in the High Country: Quick Guide
Snow has a way of transforming the High Country into another world. Of course the slopes of App Ski Mountain, Beech Mountain and Sugar Mountain are natural destinations when the flurries begin, but there are less domesticated areas of the mountains worth a snow hike exploration. Photos by JC Garcia 1. In-Town: The Boone United…
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Hiking The Tanawha Trail: A Quick Guide
“Tanawha” means fabulous hawk in the Cherokee language. That’s what they used to call Grandfather Mountain. Then the pioneers came in and must have seen the grandfather in profile. Big nose. Prominent chin. Long beard. Lying on his back all across the ridge line above 5,900 ft. The name stuck. But the Tanawha Trail brought…
Hebron Rock Colony
We made a trip to Hebron Rock Colony at the front of peak leaf viewing. We had been there before but from the other side. The side you access from the Boone Fork Trail. But this side, accessed through Foscoe somewhere near Hound Ears down a winding gravel road you park alongside, takes you down…
Doughton Recreation Area Quick Guide
Doughton Recreation Area is outside the High Country norm but well worth the trip | Photography by JC Garcia Just about every established hike along the Blue Ridge Parkway is going to be worth your effort. But if you’re ready to explore some spots away from the better-known High Country haunts, Doughton Recreation Area might…
A Quick Guide to The Chimneys
This day hike provides some of the most amazing views of one of the best parts of Linville Gorge, and it can be among the harder hikes there depending on where you start. The overlooks at The Chimneys though are spectacular on a clear day. Photography by JC Garcia Click Here to Get There All…
Hawksbill Mountain Trail (North Carolina)
The Hawksbill Mountain Trail in western North Carolina’s Linville Gorge is a quick hike full of grandeur that winds through beautiful rhododendron and up to rock outcroppings for a spectacular view of the breathtaking landscape from atop Hawksbill Mountain–one of the our state’s treasures. Photography by JC Garcia CLICK HERE TO GET THERE DISTANCE. 2…
China Creek Thunderhole Loop: A Quick Guide
The little-known and poorly-marked China Creek Thunderhole Loop trail drops down swiftly into the beautiful Johns River Gorge. It offers strenuous adventure and solitude. Why You Should Hike the Daunting China Creek Thunderhole Loop CLICK HERE TO GET THERE | ONLINE GUIDE I love this trail, perhaps because I accidentally found it while I was…
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Black Mountain Crest Trail: A Quick Guide
This 12-mile trek from Bowlens Creek to the summit of Mt. Mitchell is one of the burliest and most rewarding hikes in western North Carolina. If you’re out of shape, it’s PAINFULLY beautiful, especially that initial 4,000, 4-mile ascent up to Celo Knob. Train for it, and bring enough water. This is a bucket list…
A Complete Guide to Grayson Highlands State Park
Grayson Highlands State Park, an hour north of Boone, is home to wild ponies, fire eating cows, and neighbor to Virginia’s two highest summits–Mt. Rogers (5730 feet) and Whitetop Mountain (5525 feet). Grayson Highlands is also a beloved expanse along the 167-mile Southwest Virginia section of the Appalachian Trail and nearby Virginia Highlands Horse Trail.…
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Roan Mountain: A Quick Guide
This is the home of the Gray’s Lilly and of so many opportunities for adventure. It’s beautiful across all seasons. | Photos by JC Garcia Why You Should Hike Roan Mountain A trek across the Roan Highlands is the stuff hiking dreams are made of. Sometimes it literally feels like a dream, when the wind…