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You must drive really fast! I can't believe you can actually get from Chapel Hill to the trailhead in 2.5 hours.
Its 160 miles on I-40. A little over 2 hours, going 5-10 over the speed limit (which is 70 most of the way). Add 5 min for a few stop lights before you hit 181. Then 15 miles to wilson creek @ 55 mph. Then 4 miles up the creek to north harper @30 mph. We used to day trip up there after every big rain, 10-12 times a year. It is a 180 mile trip mostly on the interstate with a little state highway thrown in. If you want to hang onto your google map info over someone who actually has made the drive repeatedly, so be it.
Its 160 miles on I-40. A little over 2 hours, going 5-10 over the speed limit (which is 70 most of the way). Add 5 min for a few stop lights before you hit 181. Then 15 miles to wilson creek @ 55 mph. Then 4 miles up the creek to north harper @30 mph. We used to day trip up there after every big rain, 10-12 times a year. It is a 180 mile trip mostly on the interstate with a little state highway thrown in. If you want to hang onto your google map info over someone who actually has made the drive repeatedly, so be it.
I've made the drive from Winston-Salem to Wilson Creek many times, and I've driven between Winston-Salem and Raleigh/Chapel Hill hundreds of times. I know how long it takes from personal experience.
I just did White Pines down near Sanford last Saturday.
That's right down the road from me and one of my favorite places if I want to get some alone time for an hour or so. I've only seen other hikers once before in all the years of going. A nice place...
It's about 2.5-3 hrs to Boone from Chapel Hill. We have a family home there and do it all the time. It's a bit far for my comfort level for a day trip, but ymmv. Tons and tons of hiking in the area. Certainly it could be done. We did the same distance to Wrightsville as a day trip over Spring Break.
Just for future reference - I would want to go out to the Boone area sometime this summer when I don't have anything at night and can stay longer/drive farther. What good places are out over there to check out? I've been to Grandfather Mountain before and eh I'll pass on the $20/person if I've already been there haha
Thanks for the suggestions! We're doing Hanging Rock State Park on Sunday. What trails should we check out there?
If you want to hike Grandfather no need to pay the $20 if you start at the bottom. It's free. It's just the attractions that cost the $20.
We like Moses Cone Park. Nice hike to the Firetower there. Linville Falls is always good. We've done Glen Burney Falls right in downtown Blowing Rock (behind the park) if you like a tucked away rough and rugged trail. Lost Cove Cliffs and Little Lost Cove Cliffs are a little more off the beaten path and pretty stunning. Rough Ridge is very popular, but has a fantastic view. Tons more.
If you want to hike Grandfather no need to pay the $20 if you start at the bottom. It's free. It's just the attractions that cost the $20.
We like Moses Cone Park. Nice hike to the Firetower there. Linville Falls is always good. We've done Glen Burney Falls right in downtown Blowing Rock (behind the park) if you like a tucked away rough and rugged trail. Lost Cove Cliffs and Little Lost Cove Cliffs are a little more off the beaten path and pretty stunning. Rough Ridge is very popular, but has a fantastic view. Tons more.
All of these are good (some I forgot, it's been since early 90's for me). +1 on Rough Ridge for sure. Cone Firetower is cool too, but if it's a hot day, much of it is exposed to sun, so heed.
I'd add two really nice hikes, and they kinda overlap.
Price Park Loop is about 5 miles, and you can picnic in the park after your hike (no alcohol allowed). An offshoot of that is Hebron Rock Colony which is really spectacular if you don't mind hopping some big rocks.
On the back-side of Grandfather (coming up from hwy 105) is the crystal mine trail. I don't recall exactly where you can access it, but it's somewhere near Foscoe, I think. Steep uphill hike, but it ends up in an old quartz crystal mine. Pretty cool.
In general, there are lots of places to hike up there, and a lot of great swimming holes if you go in the summer.
I'd go to Linville Falls. Probably a little over 3 hours from our area.
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