Sharp Top Hike

Sunday morning, we headed back to Peaks of Otter and parked at the Sharp Top Trailhead.  It was chilly to start out, but probably a good thing as carrying Harper up the steep trail was challenging.  We hiked up slowly but surely and soon made it to the top.

The shelter made a nice place to take Harper out to play around while we took turns getting pictures.

I collapsed my hiking pole down and let her play with that trying to walk around.

After a break, we headed back down and started making our way home.

James River Hikes

Saturday, we took Amaroq and Harper up to Virginia for some early fall foliage.  Our first stop was at Natural Bridge State Park.  Descending the stairs to the contact station, we passed along Cascade Falls, but there wasn't much water today.

After paying admission, we hiked under Natural Bridge.

Cedar Creek Trail went under the bridge and followed the creek upstream.

A short spur went out to the creek at Hemlock Island.

Just past this was a low water bridge with a nice view of the early fall color reflecting off the creek.

We then crossed the bridge over to the Saltpeter Cave, but there were quite a few people here.

The Lost River was next along the trail.

Cedar Creek Trail ended in about a mile at an overlook for Lace Falls.

We took a break here and then headed back.

Next, we drove to the James River Visitor Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

First, we got on Canal Lock Trail that crossed the river under the parkway on a pedestrian bridge.

On the other side was an open area with Battery Creek Lock exhibit.

The 19th century lock raised and lowered boats navigating the canal.

On the way back, we took the Trail of Trees.

This short loop trail passed an overlook with great views of James River Water Gap.  Then we got on Otter Creek Trail.

In about a mile, we came to Otter Lake.

Going around the lake, we got back on Otter Creek Trail and continued upstream.  Lower Otter Creek Overlook was another half-mile up the trail.

In about another mile or so, the trail crossed under the parkway and another road and a side path led to View Terrapin Hill.

It was about another mile to Otter Creek Campground and then we turned around.  We went the other way around the lake on the way back.

We finished our hike back at the car.

From here, we continued driving the parkway southbound.  We first made a stop at View Arnold Valley that had great views from a boulder pile.

There was another View Arnold Valley just another 0.1 miles up the road.

We made another stop at Onion Mountain Overlook.

Then we continued to Peaks of Otter and drove to Bedford and had barbecue and drinks at Beales.

Cane Creek Mountains Hikes

Sunday, we took Harper and Amaroq to Cane Creek Mountains Natural Area in Alamance County for a hike.  The Oak Hill section of the park is new so we first parked here.  There was a big orbweaver spider at the restrooms.

At the split, Lookout Trail was closed so we had to stay on Pioneer Camp Trail.

There were a lot of mushrooms along the forest floor.  One downed log was completely covered in puffballs.

Soon we came to the observation deck.  A spur led to Lookout Trail but it was closed.  An old pond was here from when this area was a camp but it looked like the dam was failing.

Continuing on the trail, we saw many more mushrooms.

I spotted a little snake on the trail.  At first, I thought he was dead because his head and neck were flattened, but this was a hog-nose snake.  He stuck out his tongue, so I knew he was alive.

Near the end of the loop, there was a picnic area at the ruins of the camp dining hall.

After finishing the hike, we headed to the Pine Hill Trailhead just up the road and hiked Northern Approach Trail.

Near the top, we could see the observation tower was about half constructed.  I think it will have real nice views when complete.  Completing the loop, we stopped at the pollinator meadow near the parking area.

There were a lot of bees, some were really big.

The cosmos were really pretty in this area.

After our hike, we headed to Saxapahaw for lunch at the Eddy.  Amaroq was very well behaved for his first time at a restaurant.

Catawba River Stroll

Sunday, we packed up and left the cabin and had one more great breakfast at the diner, then started making our way back.  In Morganton, we got off the highway and stopped at Catawba Meadows Park for a stroll along the Morganton Greenway.

We followed the trail upstream and passed some nice wildflowers.

There was ironweed and turtlehead blooming along the trail.

In about a mile, after passing the River Village, there was an overlook with a nice view of Catawba River.

Just past here was a spot where panning for gold was permitted. 

We continued on and took Freedom Trail back over the river to Freedom Park and turned back.

After our hike, we made Mexican for lunch at Las Salsas and then drove the rest of the way home.

Deep Creek Loop Hike

Friday was our last day visiting the Smokies.  We had breakfast again at the diner and then parked at the Waterfall Trailhead in Deep Creek.  We made another quick stop to see Tom Branch Falls.

The water level was a bit low, but it was scenic in the morning light.

About a mile up the trail, we got on Indian Creek Trail and stopped to see Indian Creek Falls.

We scrambled around a bit at this one to get some pictures and let Harper out to play some.

Back on the trail, a scramble path led down to the top of the waterfall.

We continued on the Indian Creek Trail for another mile.

There were some wildflowers blooming along the trail.

At Loop Trail, we turned left and headed up towards Sunkota Ridge.

There were hearts-a-busting flowers along the trail.

It headed up to Sunkota Ridge Trail and then back down.  Some very yellow honey mushrooms were growing on a tree.

At the bottom, we got on Deep Creek Trail.

We went up a short ways and then turned back and headed downstream to complete the loop.  We turned on the Horse Trail to extend the loop a bit.  When we got to Juney Whank Falls, the sun was shining right on it, so didn't bother with any pictures.

From here, we headed into Bryson City for our last night.  We got dinner from the Rice Wagon food truck and drinks from Mountain Layers Brewing.  At the cabin, we made another fire and enjoyed the hot tub before starting to pack up.