Blue Ridge Parkway

Hike #50: Price Lake Loop Trail, Blue Ridge Parkway

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pricelake

Hike #50: 52 Hike Challenge: Price Lake Loop Trail, Blue Ridge Parkway. It was an extremely cold but sunny afternoon as we headed along the Blue Ridge Parkway to one of my favorite North Carolina High Country hikes, the Price Lake Loop Trail at Price Lake Overlook (MP 296.7). We took our time hiking around the lake and enjoying the scenery, as well as carefully navigating around the occasional muddy patch. My phone conked out early on because of the cold and unfortunately I was only able to get the above photo. Afterwards, we headed up to Blowing Rock for a nice lunch at Mellow Mushroom. Not a bad way to spend my 50th hike! Distance: 2.7 miles.

Hebron Colony Falls

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A true hidden treasure, Hebron Colony Falls (aka Hebron Rock Colony) can be accessed via a short trail located off Old Turnpike Road in Boone or from the Boone Fork Trail, which begins at Julian Price Memorial Park (Milepost 297 on the Blue Ridge Parkway). Characterized by a series of scenic mini waterfalls amid a field of huge boulders, Hebron Colony Falls is very popular among Appalachian State University students. It’s a rather strenuous and strategic journey to the top but worth it for a remarkable view of the surrounding wilderness.

Linville Falls

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“The grand sublimity of the scenery which is hereabouts presented to the eye, cannot be surpassed by any in the world. Language fails to describe it, and the pencil of the artist can give but a faint conception of its beauty and magnificent grandeur. Here it is that man feels his insignificance and trembling kneels with awe and fear. We have seen Niagara in all its artistic splendor, and we have seen what was called grand scenery, but never, never, have we seen anything to equal the scenery of Linville Falls, nor do we ever expect to see the like again until we revisit them.” —Henry E. Colton, Mountain Scenery: The Scenery of the Mountains of Western North Carolina and Northwestern South Carolina, 1859

Flat Rock Trail

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One of my favorite short hikes along the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina, the Flat Rock Trail is an easy, 0.6-mile self-guiding loop that takes hikers to an extensive rock summit that affords spectacular views of the surrounding area, including Linville Valley and Grandfather Mountain (when it is not shrouded by the clouds and fog!). Informational signs can be found along the journey that provide details about native plants, trees and geological features. The Flat Rock Trail parking overlook can be found at Milepost 308.3.