Hello again all! I'm back with another stop on our recent trip to Asheville. While this is part two of the entire journey, there will be a second blog of this particular stop, as well. Gorges State Park had enough to explore that it deserves two posts to share it all. Up first was the visitor center and Bearwallow Falls.
Not far from our first stop on the roadtrip, Gorges State Park is apparently one of North Carolina's newer state parks. The visitors center is welcoming with maps, gift shop, picnic area and restrooms to make sure you're all set to explore the park. It looks like they'll have camping options before long and more development of trails and other amenities.
We decided to start out driving around to one of the shorter hikes to get to check out Bearwallow Falls. At less than a mile roundtrip, it is another great one if you don't have a lot of time or have little ones with who don't have the stamina for a longer hike. There's another picnic area and restroom facilities at the parking lot where this particular trail begins. For us it was a nice warmup to get ready for the longer second hike, and it allowed us to grab a quick bite in between trails, too.
It was great to have a map, but the trail was very well-marked, making it easy to find. The blue blazes let you know you're on the right path. You set off from the parking lot, then cross over the loop road that circles the park and connects the multiple parking lots and trails. Once you cross the street you start hiking into the gorgeous forest.
The trail was mostly downhill on the way to the falls, with some switchbacks along the way. So much lush greenery to be seen this time of year, and the climate just right for lots of fungi to flourish! I had to snap a few for my pal @riverflows. I didn't investigate what any of them were, but still fun to see lots of varieties.
Appropriately, I had on my mushroom leggings. ;) The rhododendron were showing out with their pretty blossoms, as well.
In very little time at all, we made our way to the viewing platform to catch the view of the falls ahead. Somehow, we lucked out yet again with a quiet moment to ourselves. Most people are quite courteous, allowing everyone to see the sights, but it is still nice when you get that rare time alone at a popular viewing spot.
While not quite as impressive as Whitewater Falls, it was still most definitely worth the hike to check out these falls. The surrounding area is amazing to take in. Seeing this part of the country in the autumn when the leaves were changing was stunning, but catching it in the height of summer was a different kind of treat.
After we had our fill of the views, we hiked back up the trail to drive around to check out the longer trail to Rainbow Falls. Though there was a nice little overlook on the loop road heading in that direction to stop and snap a few more photos, as well.
The next part of the park is going to be even harder to edit myself on sharing too many photos. Rainbow Falls truly did not disappoint! If you're going to hit the park at all, I would recommend taking the time to do both. It's always great when a park has lots of options to make an afternoon or even full day of adventuring.
I hope you enjoyed this first portion of the park. Stay tuned for the next!
Banners by @riverflows, @woman-onthe-wing and @dksart