Six Fall Hikes in Watauga County

Carrie Bradbury, Senior Editor and Review Desk Lead

Photo Credits: Carrie Bradbury

The fall season is known for it's sharp and beautiful colors that draw in large hiking crowds. Whether it be to look at the colorful leaves or enjoy the perfectly chilled air, many take to the trails between September and November to enjoy the seasons weather.

"I try to go at least once a week or whenever I can," said Miller Hining, a senior at Watauga High School and an avid outdoorsman. "I usually go by myself because I love the solitude of hiking and kind of reflecting in nature."

Boone and Blowing Rock are well-known for their picturesque hiking destinations. While it is hard to find a bad hike in the area, there are six in particular that are perfect for the every day hiker this fall.

The Greenway

In the few days before the majority of leaves explode into color, some trees have already lost a couple of colorful leaves on the ground. The earliest trees began to change color in the first week of October, or like the tree on the far left, had a handful of colorful leaves while the rest of the tress stayed green.

The Greenway's most identifiable factor and what makes it particularly popular is the flat, paved path that allows for visitors the bike, walk and run all in one place. Flowing alongside the path is a classic mountain river that requires visitors to cross via wooden bridges. The river is far too cold to swim in during the fall and winter seasons, but adds to the overall aesthetic of the Greenway trail.

Trail heads starting in Boone, such as the one near the Recreation Center or by the water treatment plant, get the largest crowds. Along the road in between Boone and Blowing Rock is a new trail head that less well known.

"I love the part in Blowing Rock by Birdies Coffee, I think that it is super pretty right there," said Amelia Lynch, senior at Watauga High School and avid fisher. "The river looks really pretty along the water in that area."

Although the Greenway is an incredible resource, it does not come without its faults. Due the Greenway's accessibility and popularity, it can often times feel too crowded for locals, especially in the fall season.

"I love hiking in the fall because the leaves and the weather are perfect," Hining said. "It is very crowded, especially the closer you get to town, the more crowded it's going to get with all the leaf season tourists."

Hining is also a frequent camper, but with the extra commitment that packing and carrying camping gear requires, he often finds hiking to be a preference.

"Latey, I find myself doing a lot more hiking because it takes up less time," Hining said. "Whenever I get the chance to go backpacking, that's for sure my favorite."

Oriental Lady’s Thumb

Common Hawthorn

White Panicle Aster

Bass Lake

"I go hiking a few times a week. It is kind of whenever I have the time," said Grace Bauler, junior at Watauga High School. "I go out and I do it because it is a really nice way to settle down during a long day."

Bauler hikes out of enjoyment and relaxations, but is also a fan of the fall scenery. It is undeniable that the High Country has bold and impessive leaves. In addition to simply looking at the colors, Bauler has found a way to interact with the foliage through reflections and alternate perspectives.

"My favorite place to look at the fall leaves is definitely Bass Lake because I like the way that the sun reflects through the leaves and off of the water," Bauler said. "Fall is definitely my favorite time, it is not too hot and it is not too cold."

The Mosses Cone hiking trails, which include Bass Lake, are an ever popular destination due to accessibility and diversity of trail. Bauler has branched out beyond Bass Lake, as many locals have, and enjoys hiking on many of the Mosses Cone trails.

"I like going to the Fire Tower to watch the sunset, and the Maze is always a good one because it is fun to go up the the Apple Barn," Bauler said. "And then I always like hanging out around the Cone Manner."

Sims Pond

Sims Pond is special for its close vicinity to a field of cows. The trail itself is impressive, but often crowded on weekends and holidays. The far better trail is across the road from Sims Pond, where hikers can follow a gravel, winding path up to an expansive field with a 360-view of the mountains.

Sims Pond is located on the Parkway which makes it easily accessible if you are interested in a shorter, destination based hike.

The Cone Manor

The Cone Manor is one of the most famous and popular spots to visit in the Boone and Blowing Rock area, and for a good reason. The manor was built in the late 1800's by Moses H. Cone and his wife, Bertha L. Cone, as evidence of their lavish lifestyles from M. Cone's work in textiles. Now the building is viewed as a desitation and meeting point for the many trails surrounding it.

While living in their house, the Cone family built horse trails throughout the surrounding area so that they would be able to travel to their mutiple apple orchards. Horseback riders still use these trails, but have also been opened up for the general public for hiking.

As one of the most drivable locations on the list, Moses Cone is the perfect place to drive to and enjoy a picnic or watch the sunset at. For some hikers it is not about the destination, but the hiking routine that they follow each time.

"If I am hiking, I always go get a latte either before or after," Bauler said. "Since it is the fall season, I get a pumpkin spice latte or chai latte. Then, if I am feeling it, I might get a muffin or something to go with the coffee."

While the more tame hikes allow for a small snack before or after, longer and more challenging hikes require a more substantial amout of food. Hining has learned that trail mix works the best for him while on longer trips.

"I am a big fan of cashews. I think that they have a good source of fattiness to them," Hining said. "They are also really light and tasty."

Trout Lake

Trout Lake is an ideal spot for all hikers due to its varity and accessibilty. The trail going around the lake is realitivly flat and easy for all to use, but near by is a steeper trail that leads up to the top of Rich Mountain. The path up to Rich Mountain requires some hiking experience and athleticsm, bu that does make it less likely for tourist crowds.

All hikers do not necessarily take to the trail for the same reason. In the case of Amelia Lynch, she often hikes in order to reach a hidden fishing spot.

"I don't get to go super often. I feel like I go more in the fall when it is colder, and then I normally am techinacallty hiking when I am going to a fishing spot," Lynch said. "I rarely go on really big, long hikes."

The weather is what draws Lynch out onto the trail in the fall months. With her outfit in mind, Lynch finds that the comfortable and bisk air is perfect for hiking.

"I really like when the weather is cooling down but it is still warm enough outside to wear a short sleeve shirt, and the leaves are changing," Lynch said.

Brookshire Park

Brookshire Park is one of the more popular options on this list due to its in-town location and connection to the Greenway trail. Brookshire Park is mainly a circular track with a soccer field in the middle, but trails connect outwards on either side.

Brookshire Park is a popular spot for its excellent view of the sunset, which is a major factor in Grace Scantlin's hiking passion.

"I think fall hiking is my favorite because its cooler, and the leaves are always really pretty," Scantlin said. "It is still warm enough and light enough for a long time, so you get good sunsets and long hikes."

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