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The Majesty of Blackrock
Written By: Deena Bouknight | Issue: November 2024
Take a hike – the mystery and majesty of Blackrock is an irresistible magnet for adventurers.
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It may seem like this area has endless hiking trails for all skill levels and interests – from the Bartram Trails in Georgia, to the Appalachian Trail near Franklin, to various cliff views and river paths all throughout Cashiers.
But another treasure-trove of Western North Carolina hiking is offered on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Tons of trails exist within an hour or so drive from the Plateau, and a recently discovered hike with a range of geological and historical interest is Blackrock.
It is easy to get there. One can jump on the Parkway between Sylva and Waynesville, drive a few miles to marker 451.2, and turn right on the road to Waterrock Knob. Trailhead parking is located at the Browning Knob Overlook, but there are a few spots right in front of the Blackrock trailhead – which is just a small open path into the woods.
A visitor center is located at the parking lot, as are restrooms. Bring some cash as the Internet is sometimes down, and unique gifts and Parkway merch is on display.
Plus, a free giveaway at the visitor center is a beautifully hand-drawn and water-colo ared map that is frameable and features fascinating flora and fauna facts, history, geological insight, and more. There is even an illustration of a Plott hound and tidbits about how this breed was established by an 18th century Appalachian settler family and became North Carolina’s state dog.
Parkway rangers can also point hikers to the exact start of the Blackrock hike, since the trailhead is not well-marked. They can also inform about trail conditions.
But once hikers step onto the trail and plan to enjoy the 4.6-mile round-trip, moderate-to-challenging hike, they experience a sensory landscape. The well-worn and gold/purple-painted blaze-marked trail features the refreshing smells of a spruce fir forest, the feel of spongy woodlands’ soil underfoot, the sound of warblers, nuthatches, and piliated woodpeckers high in trees, and the sight of logs and boulders encased in thick, vibrantly green moss.
Galax and various hues and sizes of mushrooms intermingle on the forest floor; hardwoods and firs tower beside the trail. Now and then openings reveal views of such mountains as Yellowface and Snowbird as well as impressive rock formations.
But this hike is not just about nature saturation. There is history here as well. Left-behind late 19th to early 20th century logging equipment, such as log gears and wheels, reminds hikers that the area was not always protected.
For November, dress in layers; always bring plenty of water – no matter the time of year; use a hiking stick for the steeper spots; and bring snacks to enjoy atop Black Rock while taking in 360-degree views.
Indeed, 2.3 miles of hiking ends at a great expanse of a rocky ridge of flattish boulders to walk and sit on and gaze at vistas that extend the horizon in every direction. To extend the hike farther to The Pinnacle is an option conveyed on AllTrails; however, this results in an 11-mile-roundtrip hike versus 4.6 miles.
Yet, just traversing the 2.3 miles to Blackrock, and back the same distance to a parked car, provides all the enjoyable sights, smells, and sounds necessary to make traveling over to the Blue Ridge Parkway worth it.
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