I needed to check out a location in the western part of the state, so I did some research [Googling] and decided to head toward a place called World's Edge. Exciting, right?
As we made our way up the mountain, it was clear there was not much happening at the edge of the world. Small homesteads mixed with large hillside pastures indicative of western NC rural community life. We came to the summit of the road and found - a dead end. An old service road was gated and the other road was a private driveway.
"I guess we just...park?"
After a brief stretch out from the long car ride, I grabbed a few reference books and we headed down the service road. A short walk led us to a view I had not anticipated.
 |
| Wow. |
We proceeded down the trail, popping over to the rock outcrops that dotted the cliff. Many times I looked straight down into the valley. It is not a place for unruly children or pets.
The weather was cool, and a steady breeze made for a lovely end of May day. I was impressed with myself and my googling prowess. Word of caution: the trail does go straight down from the trailhead, and it's not marked from what I could tell. Be sure you have a trail map and pay attention to your moves.
 |
| Indian Pipes being cute |
 |
| Almost stepped on this lil' buggar |
The day wasn't over yet. We made our way back to the car and took off to grab some lunch. Subs packed gently in the backseat, we meandered up to the Pink Beds Loop Trail (USFS Trail # 118) in Pisgah. There are two trailheads- I had chosen to use the Cruso Rd (NC 276) lot. All I needed to check was the bog area in the floodplain. The parking lot was packed when we first showed up. The day was still gorgeous, but leaning toward a rain shower. With the windows down we could hear dozens of children running and screaming in the picnic area. We decided to go back down the road and eat our lunch along one of the pull offs. After the break, we headed back up.
The bus loads of children had left when we returned. There were still many cars in the lot, and we found where the drivers and passengers of those had set up their tents. I counted 16 tents before we ducked out of sight down the trail to follow the orange blazes.
The clouds were darkening, but it never rained on us on trail. Sometimes the universe wants you to have a good time. We didn't stay very long, the wetlands are less than a mile from the trailhead. The section of the trail where the headwaters of the South Fork of the Mills River has room to flow slowly over the landscape is ripe with beaver activity. This combination leads to a great place to see mountain bog species. And the fact that it is settled right in the Pisgah National Forest means the waters that run through it are clearer than crystal. The relatively flat trail is a quick jaunt (around 5 miles if you do the entire loop). We returned to the car and headed out, back to Raleigh. This 16 hour day was one I didn't mind working.
Side note: to make this a shorter hike, take Barnett's Branch trail which bisects the loop.
 |
| Pink Beds Loop near the trailhead |
 |
| Boardwalks along the bog make for easy walking |
No comments:
Post a Comment