Linville Gorge - Table Rock Mountain Loop (11-5-12)
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The last half mile or so of the Little Tablerock Trail is actually a bit of a climb which, actually, felt kind of good after the grueling descent...
LinvillehikePisgah National ForestwildernessNorth CarolinaHawksbillclimbingTablerockHigh CountryGrandfather MountainSpence Ridge
An all-natural campsite...very cool...
LinvillehikePisgah National ForestwildernessNorth CarolinaHawksbillclimbingTablerockHigh CountryGrandfather MountainSpence Ridge
Nearing the Spence Ridge Trail the path utilizes an old logging grade under tall, stately pines...
LinvillehikePisgah National ForestwildernessNorth CarolinaHawksbillclimbingTablerockHigh CountryGrandfather MountainSpence Ridge
A couple Ash and Red Maple were still stubbornly holding onto some leaves, adding some welcome color...
LinvillehikePisgah National ForestwildernessNorth CarolinaHawksbillclimbingTablerockHigh CountryGrandfather MountainSpence Ridge
The junction of the Spence Ridge and Little Tablerock Trails...I'd be continuing down, straight ahead...
LinvillehikePisgah National ForestwildernessNorth CarolinaHawksbillclimbingTablerockHigh CountryGrandfather MountainSpence Ridge
The Spence Ridge Trail was steep, but not nearly as relentlessly steep as the Little Tablerock Trail...
LinvillehikePisgah National ForestwildernessNorth CarolinaHawksbillclimbingTablerockHigh CountryGrandfather MountainSpence Ridge
Cruising right along, it wasn't long before I reached the bottom...
***PERHAPS I JINXED IT BUT LESS THAN A YEAR LATER THE BRIDGE WAS INDEED DESTROYED BY ANOTHER FLOOD. THERE IS, AS OF NOW, NO REPLACEMENT THAT HAS BEEN BUILT NOR ARE THERE PLANS FOR ONE.***LinvillehikePisgah National ForestwildernessNorth CarolinaHawksbillclimbingTablerockHigh CountryGrandfather MountainSpence Ridge
This crossing actually has quite a history. As the only man-made crossing along the entire length of the gorge it's quite an important convenience. Nature, however, doesn't seem to think we should have it so easy and repeatedly washed previous improvised bridges here down the gorge. In the mid-2000's, against the wishes of wilderness purists, the USFS airlifted the present structures into the gorge...we'll see how long mother nature allows them to stay...
***PERHAPS I JINXED IT BUT LESS THAN A YEAR LATER THE BRIDGE WAS INDEED DESTROYED BY ANOTHER FLOOD. THERE IS, AS OF NOW, NO REPLACEMENT THAT HAS BEEN BUILT NOR ARE THERE PLANS FOR ONE.***51aLinvillehikePisgah National ForestwildernessNorth CarolinaHawksbillclimbingTablerockHigh CountryGrandfather MountainSpence Ridge
This inviting swimming hole must be nigh irresistible on a hot summer day...
51bLinvillehikePisgah National ForestwildernessNorth CarolinaHawksbillclimbingTablerockHigh CountryGrandfather MountainSpence Ridge
These guys were in 'my' spot! They didn't look like they were moving any time soon so I crossed over to head downstream a bit so I could find a private spot...
***PERHAPS I JINXED IT BUT LESS THAN A YEAR LATER THE BRIDGE WAS INDEED DESTROYED BY ANOTHER FLOOD. THERE IS, AS OF NOW, NO REPLACEMENT THAT HAS BEEN BUILT NOR ARE THERE PLANS FOR ONE.***LinvillehikePisgah National ForestwildernessNorth CarolinaHawksbillclimbingTablerockHigh CountryGrandfather MountainSpence Ridge
The Linville Gorge Trail runs along the bottom of the gorge, I used it for about a quarter mile...
LinvillehikePisgah National ForestwildernessNorth CarolinaHawksbillclimbingTablerockHigh CountryGrandfather MountainSpence Ridge
Officially reaching the bottom of the gorge...
55aLinvillehikePisgah National ForestwildernessNorth CarolinaHawksbillclimbingTablerockHigh CountryGrandfather MountainSpence Ridge
The view from the spot I found downstream of the bridge. The Linville River is crazy rugged as this photo shows...
LinvillehikePisgah National ForestwildernessNorth CarolinaHawksbillclimbingTablerockHigh CountryGrandfather MountainSpence Ridge
Peeking through a cleft in the rock towards the Spence Ridge bridge...
LinvillehikePisgah National ForestwildernessNorth CarolinaHawksbillclimbingTablerockHigh CountryGrandfather MountainSpence Ridge
The sights and sounds at the bottom of Linville Gorge...
LinvillehikePisgah National ForestwildernessNorth CarolinaHawksbillclimbingTablerockHigh CountryGrandfather MountainSpence Ridge
After too short a time it was time to syke myself up for the climb out...
***PERHAPS I JINXED IT BUT LESS THAN A YEAR LATER THE BRIDGE WAS INDEED DESTROYED BY ANOTHER FLOOD. THERE IS, AS OF NOW, NO REPLACEMENT THAT HAS BEEN BUILT NOR ARE THERE PLANS FOR ONE.***LinvillehikePisgah National ForestwildernessNorth CarolinaHawksbillclimbingTablerockHigh CountryGrandfather MountainSpence Ridge
Maybe it was the excitement of the day and all I had the privilege of seeing but I practically flew out of the gorge, barely winded...what a day!
LinvillehikePisgah National ForestwildernessNorth CarolinaHawksbillclimbingTablerockHigh CountryGrandfather MountainSpence Ridge
Closing the loop back at Tablerock Gap finishing an awesome day in Linville Gorge!
LinvillehikePisgah National ForestwildernessNorth CarolinaHawksbillclimbingTablerockHigh CountryGrandfather MountainSpence Ridge
Cameron Miller
on May 31, 2015As a kid growing up in the early 80's, at the foot of Table Rock, I can remember seeing this little "shack" on my way to catch the school bus. I was told it was a fire lookout or ranger station. From the house it looked like a telephone booth size little building. Friends I work with remember the building but don't recall what it was.
kw
on March 11, 2013Amazing, consequently lots of 'thumbs up's! What a hike! Is it quite a popular hike, or just parts of it? Those building remains are very interesting-- definitely wonder the history behind them! A hermit wanting a mountain top view?