The Adventure Collective 2017 WNC Adventure Guide | Page 23

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Brevard Hiking Expert: D.D. Bullwinkel’s
50 South Broad Street, Brevard, NC
828-862-4700 || ddbullwinkels.com
Gorges State Park (Sapphire): With seemingly countless options
for waterfalls to explore, Gorges is a great option for a hike into a beautiful forest
to cool off in the river during hot summer months. We recommend heading down to
Rainbow Falls, a picturesque 60-foot waterfall, before taking the trail to one of many
swimming holes along the way to Turtle Back Falls. Directions from Brevard:
Take Hwy 64 past Rosman and Cashiers for around 20 miles to a left turn on U.S. 281. Follow
for around 3 miles to a left into the park.
John Rock (Pisgah National Forest): If you’re looking for killer
views, then John Rock is the hike to take. There are a couple of trail approach
options, either the long way (about 6 miles) or the shorter way (about 4 miles), but either
way you’ll be rewarded with views of Looking Glass Rock, Pilot Mountain, and the Blue
Ridge Parkway beyond. The John Rock trail is accessed from the Cat Gap Loop Trail.
Hikers can start by taking the right side of the loop to access a long approach following
Cat Gap to a left on John Rock Trail. Once at the rock kick back and enjoy the view
before continuing on the John Rock Trail to a left on Cat Gap and a descent to the parking
lot. If you’re feeling like a shorter hike is in order head up the left side of Cat Gap from
the parking lot to a right on John Rock and take a shorter route to the top for an out-
and-back hike instead of a loop. Directions from Brevard: Take NC-280 E from
downtown Brevard to a left onto US-276 into the main entrance for Pisgah National Forest
and follow Highway 276 into the forest for about 5.5 miles. Take a left onto Forest Service
Road 475 and follow for less than a mile into the parking lot for the Pisgah Center for Wildlife
Education on the left.
Looking Glass Rock Trail: Looking Glass Rock’s stone face is one of
the more recognizable landmarks from the Blue Ridge Parkway. The 500 foot rock
face is a popular climbing spot while the trail to the summit rewards hikers with stunning
views. This moderately difficult hike climbs 1,700 feet in 3 miles and is well marked with
yellow blazes. As with all summit hikes, be careful when you reach the top. Directions
from Brevard: Take NC-280 E from downtown Brevard to a left onto US-276 into the
main entrance for Pisgah National Forest and follow Hwy 276 for 5.3 miles. Turn left at the
Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education sign. Head a half mile to the parking area on your right.
Pink Beds Loop (Pisgah NF, Brevard): The Pink Beds Loop
is a 5-mile hike that traverses a beautiful high-elevation bog and offers great scenery.
Afterwards, head over to nearby Cradle of Forestry for lunch and history before driving up
U.S. 276 to the Blue Ridge Parkway to get a view of the 500,000-acre national forest from
above. Additional hikes include taking the 3-mile hike to the summit of Mt. Pisgah there
are spectacular views. Directions from Brevard: Take NC-280 E from downtown
Brevard to a left onto US-276 into the main entrance for Pisgah National Forest and go 11.2 miles
to just past the Cradle of Forestry entrance on the right to the Pink Beds parking area.
DuPont Waterfalls (Cedar Rock):
When it comes to
outdoor recreation in the Brevard area, there are few things more enticing
than going to explore one of the many beautiful waterfalls found in the region. In fact,
there are few places anywhere with more amazing waterfalls in close proximity than in
DuPont State Recreational Forest.
One favorite excursion is the trifecta of Triple Falls, High Falls, and Hooker Falls –
which can all be easily accessed in one outing on trails from the Hooker Falls parking
lot. Starting out towards Triple Falls, it’s barely a mile before you’ll be graced with
the views of the three tiered falls. Hike the wide trail another 3/4 mile to reach the
bottom of the 150’ cascade of High Falls. Once you soak up a little spray, make the
return trip back the way you came. If you want to catch some rays, take a little dip in
the river, or picnic on the rocks. After you pass Triple Falls again and make