Plan Your Next Adventure in the Beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina

LENOIR, N.C. – It’s a chilly and rainy day, a good day to plan our next outing. An outing here, which almost always includes a drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway, can last a few hours or a lifetime because of the beauty of living where we do – in Caldwell County – along the lower slopes of the Eastern Escarpment of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Indeed, at the northern tip of Caldwell County is Grandfather Mountain, one of the highest peaks in the Appalachian Mountains. There, Calloway Peak rises to 5,946 feet, also marking the intersection of Caldwell County with Avery and Burke counties.

The headwaters of countless streams and rivers form on the high slopes of the mountain, including Wilson Creek and the Linville River. The recreational, scenic, historical, and geological diversity of the gorges carved out by water and time could provide a lifetime of entertainment or study for the naturalist.

Having visited them often since moving to Charlotte in 1974, I consider it a true blessing to live so close to such natural wonders. So, below are a few photos of Grandfather Mountain, Wilson Creek and the Linville River Gorge, taken over many seasons and years.

Grandfather Mountain

Like the Appalachian ridges it towers over, Grandfather Mountain is a biodiversity wonder. Its name comes from the “profile view” seen from along Rt. 105 on the Linville (west) side of the mountain. As you see, however, the view is stunning whether 20 miles away or skirting its slopes while driving the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Grandfather Mountain as seen from Price Lake along the Blue Ridge Parkway

The Linn Cove Viaduct curves around Grandfather Mountain. Photo by NPS

Grandfather Mountain from near N.C. Rt. 105

Wilson Creek Gorge

In 2000, Wilson Creek was designated a Wild and Scenic River. According to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers website, “Wilson Creek exposes formations of the Grandfather Mountain Window, a significant geologic feature. Rocks exposed in this area are among the oldest in the Appalachian Mountains. Rock exposure is extensive in the headwaters and in the lower river segment through Wilson Creek Gorge.”

The bottom of the Wilson Creek gorge, about 2 miles upstream from where it joins the Johns River

A pool just below the rapids at the bottom of the gorge

Linville River Gorge

According to the U.S. Forest Service, “The Linville Gorge Wilderness, in the mountains of Western North Carolina, is part of the Pisgah National Forest. The gorge is formed by the Jonas Ridge on the east and Linville Mountain on the west and is bisected by the Linville River which drops 2,000 feet into the valleys below. The terrain is steep and rugged with numerous rock formations. It is covered by dense hardwood/pine forest and a wide variety of smaller trees and other plants. Recreation opportunities include hiking backpacking, rock climbing, fishing and hunting.”