October 12, 2015 - NC215 North and Sam Knob

Today's outing was to be in the area of the Parkway around NC215.  We had several options in mind, but wanted to check the situation once we got to that area.  The morning started out foggy, but it lifted quickly once we got to the Parkway and we were in for a sunny day.  We had considered rehiking the Mountains to Sea Trail north of 215 to the view, but the color at the highest elevations is gone.  Our next option was the Flat Laurel Creek trail from 215 up to Wildcat Falls.  Today is the first day of bear hunting season and we passed several pick up trucks of hunters and dogs.  If you are on a main trail in the area, you shouldn't have a problem, but I wore my blaze orange hat anyway.  The creek near the trail head was still up from the recent rains, but we managed to get across on the log and rocks without getting our feet too wet.  Not to far up the trail from here is a small double waterfall.  Sunny skies are nice for hiking and leaf peeping, but not so much for photography.  The trees were in the sun and the waterfall in the shade and this is about the best I could do.

waterfall along Flat Laurel Creek Trail

The first part of this trail parallels 215 at a higher elevation at we had views across the road to some of the color on that side.

view across 215 from the trail

Looking up along parts of the trail revealed some brilliant sun-lit color above the shady trail. Unfortunately the light was the same at the waterfall, but it was worth it just to see the color.

along the trail to Wildcat Falls

Wildcat Falls

The trail continues up to the Black Balsam area, but we decided to head back to the vehicle and try something else.  I wanted to check out Bubbling Spring Branch Cascades, so we headed there next.  The color is brilliant in that area, but at 12 noon, I was looking right into the sun for the shot.  From that same pull off, I also took a shot looking down 215.

Bubbling Spring Branch Cascades

215 north of Bubbling Spring

From here we decided to check out the Black Balsam area.  Cindy suggested the Sam Knob Trail and that turned out to be an excellent choice.  There were a lot of people - including hunters - in this area today.  We both had forgotten that is was Columbus Day and a lot of people had the day off.  We did manage to find a parking spot and headed down the trail.  There has been some very recent improvements to this trail.  Most of the section leading from the parking area now has gravel and a very nice boardwalk with steps leads down through the section of trail that was very eroded and ends right before you get into the field before Sam Knob.

new boardwalk on Sam Knob Trail

Sam Knob ahead

The color at this elevation is beginning to fade as you can see in the shot of Sam Knob.  We were mainly interested in seeing the view to the other side that looks down on 215.  The next few shots show the different views we had from on top of the mountain.  Once you get up there, you have to know where to go to get the views.  It's not a really large area, but paths lead every which way.  If you find all the spots, you have views looking in every direction.

looking towards Devil's Courthouse and Mount Hardy

 

closer view looking towards 215 and the Parkway

looking NE into the Shining Rock Wilderness Area

looking back towards the parking area and Black Balsam

By now it was late afternoon and time to head to the house.  We won't be out again until Thursday - good luck with your hunt for color!