Cedar Cliff Mountain (2.5 miles; d=4.16)
Read MoreCedar Cliff Mountain Hike Route Map
The correct route up Cedar Rock Mountain (with the starting point of my accidental bushwhack also shown) as depicted a la Google Earth...
Cedar Cliff Mountain Hike Route Map
The approximate track of the correct route up Cedar Rock Mountain (which I used on my descent)...
Cedar Cliff Mountain from NC-281
This is the view of Cedar Cliff I had seen every single time I'd driven Highway 281. It had beckoned me for years, today was going to be the day...
Cedar Cliff Mountain Trailhead(s) - 2,550'
OK, a bit of an explanation is in order here. To the left is the trail sign pointing uphill while up the road a bit a brown triangular gate sits in the trees. The sign with the arrow would imply that the trail starts there, no? Actually, NO. The real trail ascends into the woods beyond the gate. So, unless you're looking for the kind of climb you're about to see me undertake in the following series of pics please take note...
Cedar Cliff Mountain (False) Trailhead - 2,550'
Blissfully unaware that this sign did not, in fact, point in the general direction of the trail heading up the mountain I eagerly attacked what looked like a fun series of boulders to start the hike...
Cedar Cliff Bushwhack - 2,560'
A bit of bouldering at the base of Cedar Cliff. I was having fun but couldn't imagine this would continue all the way to the top...
Cedar Cliff Bushwhack - 2,600'
And here is where I first had that familiar sinking feeling I get when I can't shake the impression I've taken a wrong turn. I certainly couldn't climb that...
Cedar Cliff Bushwhack - 2,650'
I spent the next few minutes searching around a bit for anything resembling a path. The sign did point me up here after all. My search was in vain (remember, unbeknownst to me the sign had been deceiving me) so I decided this would have to be one of those impromptu bushwhack climbs I enjoy so much (that's sarcasm by the way)...
Cedar Cliff Bushwhack - 2,670'
A glance back downhill revealed my car parked far below. This gives you a good idea of the grade I'd be dealing with all the way to the top...
Cedar Cliff Bushwhack - 2,800'
It wasn't long before I had gained enough elevation to start getting some restricted views of the surrounding valley...
Cedar Cliff Bushwhack - 3,000'
Though my bushwhack route was generally a bee-line to the summit I occasionally broke out beneath huge rock slabs like this which would force brief detours...
Cedar Cliff Bushwhack - 3,150'
Another huge sloping slab meant another detour. My biggest fear was that I'd run into one of these large enough I wouldn't be able to find a way around. My whole climb would be scrapped if that happened...
Cedar Cliff Bushwhack - 3,300'
Ever so slowly the brutal climb began to ease up. I hoped this meant I was nearing the top...
Cedar Cliff Bushwhack - 3,340'
With what looked to be the summit in sight I gave up my ledge-bypass strategy and decided to head straight up. Notice how all the rocks up here are coated in a dark, fuzzy lichen...
Cedar Cliff Mountain Summit - 3,380'
After the unrelentingly brutal and rocky climb, my legs hardly knew how to handle the flat grassy surface that greeted them upon reaching the summit...
Cedar Cliff Mountain Summit - 3,380'
The small grassy opening marks the high point of the long, narrow summit ridge of Cedar Cliff Mountain...
Cedar Cliff Mountain Summit - 3,380'
A small firepit sat just above the cliffs. Can't say I approve but you have to admire the choice of location...
Tim Truemper
on January 29, 2021Been cruising your site during the pandemic for remote hiking ideas. Between you and Meanderthals y'all are the best.
J. Dan Pittillo
on February 1, 2020Jimy Bic? Would you want me to mention your Cedar Cliff web site in a book I'm writing on Jackson County NC Natural areas?
Jimy Bic
on November 16, 2017Nice hike. Thanks for the Notes.