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Boone Hiking Expert : Mast General Store 630 King Street , Boone , NC ( 828 ) 262-0000 || www . maststore . com
Beacon Heights on the Blue Ridge Parkway ( Linville ):
This nearly 1-mile , easy to moderate hike puts you in the middle of the big picture – with awesome views of Grandfather Mountain , and the dizzying drop to the Carolina Piedmont below . Cross the road behind the overlook , enter the woods and go right where the Tanawha Trail goes left . Head left at the next junction to emerge at another split at the top . A left here reaches craggy views of Grandfather Mountain . A right reaches a dome of rock with views to Grandmother Mountain and Mount Mitchell .
Directions from Boone : Take Hwy 105 S for 16.9 miles to left on US 221 . Head 3 miles to turn onto the Parkway . Head south 0.1 mile to left into the Beacon Heights Overlook at milepost 305.2 .
The Profile Trail , Grandfather Mountain ( Banner Elk ): The Grandaddy of all High Country hikes is this 7-mile round-trip trek to Calloway Peak , 5,646 ft . The views from the summit or nearby Watauga View are astounding and reach from the mountains to the Piedmont . Campsites are available for backpackers . The first mile along the Watauga River is easy , then you ’ ll climb steeply at times to views of Grandfather ’ s profile “ face ” and on to the evergreen-clad peak . Hikers
must register at the trailhead . Directions from Boone : Take Hwy 105 S for 12.2 miles to left into the trailhead parking area just before reaching Tynecastle .
Elk Knob State Park ( Todd ): This hike takes visitors through highelevation hardwood forests on their way to the wooded summit of the 5,520 foot peak . The hike to the summit , with an overall elevation gain of 1000 feet , follows a newly constructed trail before taking a final push up a steep and rocky road . On the way , be on the look out for rare plant species such as Gray ’ s Lily , Rattlesnake Root , Flame Azalea , and Purple Fringed Orchid . Elk Knob is also home to black bear , bobcat , wild turkey , white tailed deer , and a number of smaller mammals that thrive in this rugged mountainous area . Directions
from Boone : Take Hwy 194 N for 4.3 miles to left at Meat Camp Rd . Follow for 5.4 miles to Elk Knob State Park on the right .
Moses Cone / Flat Top Mountain Tower ( Blowing Rock ): This scenic , 2.8 mile hike ends with one of the most spectacular views in the High Country atop Flat Top Mountain . A roughly 40-foot metal tower provides incredible vistas from the summit . In decades past , this tower was used to keep an eye out for fires in the surrounding valleys . Nowadays , the tower provides a terrific view of Grandfather and Sugar Mountains , Blowing Rock , and Boone in a 360 ° panoramic view .
Directions from Boone : Take Hwy 321 S for 6.4 miles to right onto the Blue Ridge Parkway . Head south to the Moses Cone Manor on your left . To reach the firetower , cross beneath the parkway and continue along the doubletrack gravel path to a scenic vista in an open grassy field and continue up the trail to the tower on Flat Top Mountain .
Boone Climbing Expert : Rock Dimensions 139 S . Depot St ., Boone , NC 828-265-3544 || rockdimensions . com
Shiprock Rock Climbing : The crown jewel of the High Country is the phenomenal trad climbing area of Shiprock . Located on the northeastern flank of Grandfather Mountain , Shiprock offers climbers incredible views of Grandfather Mountain and the Pisgah Forest below . The area features an abundance of traditional single and multipitch climbs from 5.7 to 5.13 covering everything from splitter cracks to run out slabs . Directions from Boone : Take 105 S for 17 miles to Linville . Turn left onto Hwy 221 N for 3 miles to to the Blue Ridge Parkway . Take a left onto the Parkway and head north for 5.8 to mile marker 303 . The climbing area is accessed by hiking south for . 5 mile , around the sharp turn , to an unmarked trail on the right .
Tower to Rock ” Instructional Climbing Program : A twohour instructional course at the tower prepares you for a half-day out on the real rock ! This full day program is a great progression for families with mixed ages , couples , and friends looking for a good all-around introduction to the sport . Directions from Boone : This adventure is in the middle of downtown at Rock Dimensions ’ climbing tower located at 139 S . Depot St .
Blowing Rock Boulders : The Blowing Rock Bouldering Area features a wide-range of problems of all grades . With mostly flat landings , incredible rock quality , a beautiful forest setting , and more than enough problems for the visiting climber to work through , the Blowing Rock Boulders are the place to be during the prime climbing season in the High Country . Start at the 5.10 wall for a warm-up before heading up to the Pump Wall Traverse to challenge yourself on one of the longest boulder problems in the area . Directions from Boone : Take Hwy 321 S for 6.8 miles to right onto 321 Business in to Blowing Rock . At the first stoplight turn right onto Hwy 221 . Follow 221 for 1.6 miles to parking area on left at the rest area .
The Dump / Warpin ’ Endorphins : With roadside access , a plethora of hard routes , and a handful of moderates , the area has been known to draw a crowd . The crag gets midday sun , perfect in the winter , but a little toasty on warmer days . For a full day , we recommend heading past the 5.10 wall to warmup on the 80-foot 5.9 Dancin ’ With The Pope before moving onto the steep slab of Homegrown , a 5.9 + that has some fun , bouldery moves . Heading back toward the main wall , classics like VooDoo Child ( 5.11a ), Vermin and Slimen Hymen before jumping on the area test-piece , Ride the Lightning . Other options abound , so we recommend grabbing a topo from Rock Dimensions before heading out . Directions from Boone : Take Hwy 321 S for 6.8 miles to right onto 321 Business in to Blowing Rock . At the first stoplight turn right onto Hwy 221 . Follow 221 towards Linville for 10.1 miles , pulling off at the large gravel pullout on the left . The crag is across the road up an established trail with rock steps .