Linville Gorge - Cabin & Bynum Bluff Trails, Burke County (6-1-13)
Read MoreIt was immediately apparent that, even by backcountry Linville Gorge standards, the section of the Bynum Bluff Trail between the LGT and the river doesn't see a whole lot of traffic...
LinvillehikePisgah National ForestwildernessHawksbillclimbingHigh CountrywaterfallBabel TowerBynum Bluff
Through brief breaks in the trees I got my first close glimpses of Bynum Bluffs themselves...
LinvillehikePisgah National ForestwildernessHawksbillclimbingHigh CountrywaterfallBabel TowerBynum Bluff
Lined with a thick carpet of Galax, the trail started to steepen as I neared the river...
LinvillehikePisgah National ForestwildernessHawksbillclimbingHigh CountrywaterfallBabel TowerBynum Bluff
A break in the trees just before making the final drop to the river offered a unique view into the uppermost reaches of Linville Gorge. The gorge itself only officially begins about a mile-and-a-half upstream from here at the spectacular Linville Falls...
LinvillehikePisgah National ForestwildernessHawksbillclimbingHigh CountrywaterfallBabel TowerBynum Bluff
An incredibly thick grove of rhododendron and laurel pressed in on me as I reached the gorge floor...
LinvillehikePisgah National ForestwildernessHawksbillclimbingHigh CountrywaterfallBabel TowerBynum Bluff
The Bynum Bluff Trail as it reaches the Linville River...
LinvillehikePisgah National ForestwildernessHawksbillclimbingHigh CountrywaterfallBabel TowerBynum Bluff
The cool, clear waters of the Linville River looked quite inviting. Though a swim was out of the question, I couldn't resist sticking my feet in for a couple minutes...
0702aLinvillehikePisgah National ForestwildernessHawksbillclimbingHigh CountrywaterfallBabel TowerBynum Bluff
Vid of the Linville River at the end of the Bynum Bluff Trail. Note the huge area of boulders deposited during floods...
LinvillehikePisgah National ForestwildernessHawksbillclimbingHigh CountrywaterfallBabel TowerBynum Bluff
A previous visitor has busied themselves creating some impressive little cairns...
LinvillehikePisgah National ForestwildernessHawksbillclimbingHigh CountrywaterfallBabel TowerBynum Bluff
After cooling the toes it was time to explore the river banks a bit...
LinvillehikePisgah National ForestwildernessHawksbillclimbingHigh CountrywaterfallBabel TowerBynum Bluff
The Bynum Bluff Trails' namesake cliffs tower hundreds of feet above...
LinvillehikePisgah National ForestwildernessHawksbillclimbingHigh CountrywaterfallBabel TowerBynum Bluff
The Linville River is rarely peaceful but here, below Bynum Bluffs, it was as relaxing a companion as a hiker could ask for. Before long however, it was time to turn my attention to the climb out...
LinvillehikePisgah National ForestwildernessHawksbillclimbingHigh CountrywaterfallBabel TowerBynum Bluff
The clock was ticking as I started my way out of the gorge to get back to my worksite. The climb from the river back to the Linville Gorge Trail went quickly after my lengthy bit of R&R. Here, I pass the Pine Gap Trail which I would have loved to hike as well had time permitted me...
LinvillehikePisgah National ForestwildernessHawksbillclimbingHigh CountrywaterfallBabel TowerBynum Bluff
The ridge above the Linville Gorge Trail is fairly flat, allowing for a few trailside campsites to have sprung up...
LinvillehikePisgah National ForestwildernessHawksbillclimbingHigh CountrywaterfallBabel TowerBynum Bluff
As the Bynum Bluff Trail worked its way up for another steep climb the terrain got interesting once again...
LinvillehikePisgah National ForestwildernessHawksbillclimbingHigh CountrywaterfallBabel TowerBynum Bluff
Taking a break under the welcome shade of a rhododendron about halfway back up the Bynum Bluff Trail...
LinvillehikePisgah National ForestwildernessHawksbillclimbingHigh CountrywaterfallBabel TowerBynum Bluff
Its a wonder, in some places, how this trail has managed to stay intact from year to year...you'd think it wouldn't take many storms for stretches like this to simply wash down the mountain...
LinvillehikePisgah National ForestwildernessHawksbillclimbingHigh CountrywaterfallBabel TowerBynum Bluff
It's always a relief to return to the relative flatness of the gorge rim...
LinvillehikePisgah National ForestwildernessHawksbillclimbingHigh CountrywaterfallBabel TowerBynum Bluff
Flat ground once again equals more campsites...
LinvillehikePisgah National ForestwildernessHawksbillclimbingHigh CountrywaterfallBabel TowerBynum Bluff
A break in the trees reveals what I had just finished climbing...the Linville River rushes by silently 1000' below while the familiar profile of Hawksbill Mountain rises beyond...
LinvillehikePisgah National ForestwildernessHawksbillclimbingHigh CountrywaterfallBabel TowerBynum Bluff
Reaching the upper end of the Bynum Bluff Trail...
LinvillehikePisgah National ForestwildernessHawksbillclimbingHigh CountrywaterfallBabel TowerBynum Bluff
Of all the trails I've hiked into and out of Linville Gorge from its west rim, I'd have to say that Bynum Bluff was quite a bit less strenuous...of course, less strenuous in Linville Gorge means something quite different than most other areas...
LinvillehikePisgah National ForestwildernessHawksbillclimbingHigh CountrywaterfallBabel TowerBynum Bluff
As with any potential loop hike on Linville's west rim, this one finished with a short road hike...
LinvillehikePisgah National ForestwildernessHawksbillclimbingHigh CountrywaterfallBabel TowerBynum Bluff
After a dusty 3/4 mile walk the Cabin Trail parking area once again came into view...
LinvillehikePisgah National ForestwildernessHawksbillclimbingHigh CountrywaterfallBabel TowerBynum Bluff
Welcome to my office...not a bad way to kick off a work day, eh?
LinvillehikePisgah National ForestwildernessHawksbillclimbingHigh CountrywaterfallBabel TowerBynum Bluff