Nature & Outdoors
Home page: New murals by Whitney Landwehrmann on the Middle Fork Greenway. Above: The new Bass Lake walkway, photo courtesy of the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation; Elk River Falls, photo courtesy of U.S. Forest Service
TRAIL REPORTS Autumn ‘25
By CML Staff
Does your family enjoy hiking, running, biking, paddling, fishing, horseback riding, and exploring our region of the world? Follow our “Trail Reports” in each issue for some of the latest developments on trails and public lands, and to learn about opportunities throughout the area.
A Wealth of Waterfalls… Be Amazed!
As the trees begin to lose their leaves, the sun streams through the canopy and reflects off flowing water, gifting us with amazing scenes of beauty. Our area has numerous waterfalls, and the lovely waterfall on our Autumn cover is one of them. Known as Hebron Falls, or Boone Fork Falls, it is located along the Boone Fork Trail at Julian Price Park. The trailhead begins just off the Blue Ridge Parkway, at Milepost 296.4 at the Julian Price Park Picnic Area, and the waterfalls are visible about 1.5 miles into the 5.5-mile loop trail.
Another beautiful waterfall in our area is the 65-ft. Elk River Falls—known locally as Big Falls—located in the Appalachian Ranger District of Pisgah National Forest. In mid-July, the USDA Forest Service reopened the Elk River Falls Area following several months of work to clear debris left by Hurricane Helene. The area experienced significant flooding during the storm that left the river clogged with debris and the trails blocked by downed trees.
“Elk River Falls is a popular destination, and our community neighbors have been patient while we worked to restore access to the trails and clear the river so we could safely reopen,” said District Ranger Jen Barnhart. “Thank you to all our partners and cooperators, including Wild South, Waterfall Keepers of North Carolina, the Linville-Central Rescue Squad and Avery County, for all their effort to help us cross the finish line toward finally welcoming the public back to this hidden gem.”
To help ensure public safety, the Forest Service monitored the falls for any new hazards and loose debris that could pose a risk to visitors. The parking area and entry road leading to Elk River Falls were repaired and resurfaced to provide better access.
“The reopening of Elk River Falls is not only a win for public access, but also a symbol of the resilience of the communities impacted by Hurricane Helene,” said Halley Burleson, Operations Coordinator for Wild South. “It’s a powerful reminder of what’s possible when communities come together to care for one another and our shared public lands.”
Another popular waterfall in Avery County, NC, has also made the headlines. Located in Newland, “Waterfalls Park” will now be permanently protected by the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy. SAHC recently purchased the 92-acre tract that includes the falls. “This unique tract, located very close to downtown Newland, features a beautiful, cascading waterfall,” said SAHC’s Land Protection Director Michelle Pugliese. “For decades, local residents and visitors have stopped here to enjoy the view, snap family photos, or take a quiet walk in nature. The stunning waterfall is visible from the road, and trails alongside it lead to a small hiking area.”
She added, “The former owner, Thelma McLean, shared the tract with the public for hiking and enjoyment. When the time came to sell the property, we were thrilled that SAHC was able to purchase it. We intend to carry on that tradition of public access.”
Jay Leutze, Avery County resident and SAHC’s Senior Advisor to the Board, added, “It’s so exciting to ensure permanent protection for a place loved by so many for so long. Unlike some of the places we protect that are remote and preserved mainly for habitat or rare species, this property can be seen and enjoyed from the windshield of a car while leaving the local grocery store.”
Like Elk River Falls, Waterfalls Park sustained some damage last fall. “Hurricane Helene may have washed away the picnic tables and pulled down massive trees around the cascades, but she couldn’t wash away the community spirit that makes this a favorite site for wedding and graduation pictures,” added Leutze. ”When the raging water receded, the waterfall magic quickly returned.” Learn more at appalachian.org.
Blue Ridge Conservancy 5K Celebrating 25th Anniversary
The BRC 5K is in its 25th year, and this year’s event on September 20 in Blowing Rock, NC, is sponsored by Stick Boy Bread Company.
Enjoy the scenic views of the Blue Ridge as you challenge yourself with a climb up Wonderland Trail Road alongside other Blue Ridge Conservancy supporters. Run the 3.1 miles as fast as you can knowing that sticky buns, coffee, and even beer await as you cross the finish line! Or, take a slower pace by participating in the kids’ one-mile Fun Run; participants can walk, jog or run either route.
The race festivities begin at 8 a.m. Packet pickup on Race Day will be at the Blowing Rock American Legion, and the finish line for all races is Bistro Roca Restaurant in downtown Blowing Rock.
Learn more and find a registration link at blueridgeconservancy.org/blue-ridge-conservancy-5k. You can also pre-register and pick up your race bib at Stick Boy Bread Company in Boone from 2:30 – 6 p.m. on Friday, September 19.
Attention Runners: Looking for a Half Marathon Opportunity?
Register to participate in the Geyser Growl Half Marathon, presented by Hillman Beer, on October 18 in McDowell County. This fun and scenic footrace during peak leaf season begins in Black Mountain, NC, and finishes in the revitalized town of Old Fort. Runners pass the iconic Andrews Geyser along the way, and end at Hillman Beer in Old Fort, with hot soup and cold beer waiting.
This race has grown rapidly, fast becoming one of the most popular fall half marathons in the region. Registration for the 2025 race will close on Thursday, October 16, at 9 p.m. The race is limited to 500 participants, and the start time is 8 a.m. at Lake Tomahawk Park in Black Mountain.
For race details, including the course route, registration information and packet pickup, visit destinationmcdowell.com.
Great Trails State Day
Celebrate the second annual Great Trails State Day on Saturday, October 18, and join thousands of others in celebrating North Carolina’s amazing and diverse trail networks that span from the mountains to the coast. The Great Trails State Coalition created this special day to celebrate and elevate the importance of trails in every corner of North Carolina and to recognize the power of trails to connect us to nature, to each other, and to our communities.
Events will be happening across the state, and the best resource to find an event, or a favorite trail, is to visit greattrailsnc.com. Organizers invite you to “call a neighbor or friend, lace up your shoes or boots, get on a bike, borrow a kayak, or saddle up your horse and get outside on a trail!”
The General Assembly established the Great Trails State Program in 2023, representing a historic investment of $25 million in North Carolina trails. Governor Stein and the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources recently announced that through the Great Trails State Program, $11M is now slated for 32 projects in Western NC. These trail grants will support the planning, construction, and improvement of local and regional trails, including walking and bicycling paths, hiking and mountain biking trails, equine trails, and paddle trails. Recipients of the grants in the CML region include Blue Ridge Conservancy, New River Conservancy, Elkin Valley Trails Association, Foothills Regional Commission, and a variety of county projects in Alleghany, Burke, Catawba, McDowell, Watauga and Wilkes counties.
For western counties still recovering from the devastating impacts of Hurricane Helene, this funding will provide much needed assistance to repair and enhance outdoor recreation assets, leading to increased tourism and small business development needed in these recovering communities. Learn more at greattrailsstatecoalition.org.
Middle Fork Greenway’s “Round Up for the Greenway”
Since 2018, customers have been “rounding up” their bills for the MFG at many businesses across the High Country, and because of this generosity, another mile of the MFG is underway. Construction for Boone Gorge Park began in mid-August and will take around 18 months to complete. This park, the closest to Boone on the MFG, will include parking, restrooms, a timber frame pavilion, approximately one mile of trail, a boardwalk, wetlands, and river access, all within a natural setting. By working with landowners and the Watauga TDA, and using state grants, Blue Ridge Conservancy was able to purchase the 33-acre tract for the MFG in 2022.
“Boone Gorge Park on the Middle Fork Greenway will be more than just a place to walk or ride—it’s an investment in our community’s health, economy, and quality of life,” said Braxton Eggers, Chairman of the Watauga County Board of Commissioners. “It connects neighbors, supports local businesses, and gives families a safe, beautiful space to enjoy the outdoors together.”
In 2018, Brad Moretz of Appalachian Ski Mtn had the idea to have businesses ask their customers to “Round Up for the Greenway,” and since then, over $1 million has been raised through this program. Although the Round Up is officially in July, many businesses support the project year-round, such as Appalachian Ski Mtn’s yearly Round Up during ski season. Owners Brad Moretz and Brenda Speckmann generously kicked off this year’s Round Up with a gift of $47,000 from their winter sales.
Round Up money, along with individual donors and Watauga TDA, has leveraged funds to build each segment of the MFG. Every donation from participating businesses and their patrons will be doubled to match state grants and get the trail and parks built.
The MFG will one day connect Blowing Rock to Boone with a hiking, walking, and bicycling trail, with parks scattered along the six-mile corridor. The MFG is a project of Blue Ridge Conservancy in partnership with Watauga County and the towns of Blowing Rock and Boone. FB@ middleforkgreenway/.
For the Fall Leaf Peepers
Planning a “Leaf Peeping” excursion in the High Country? Follow the Fall Color Report created by local experts Michael Denslow and Howard Neufeld, a.k.a. “Fall Color Guy,” in the Department of Biology at Appalachian State University. Each year, the renowned team creates weekly Fall Color Reports and a map to help people understand when and where they’ll discover their favorite autumn colors throughout the season.
The map, conceived by Neufeld and Denslow (and constructed by Denslow) provides an estimation of the timing of fall color peaks for the various regions of North Carolina. They note, “This map differs from most other such maps because it combines the effects of both elevation and latitude on fall color, whereas most other maps simply use elevation alone.” Their 2022 map pictured above is representative of their findings (the 2025 map was not yet available as of press time.)
A recent post from Neufeld cites a new climate analysis, the work of Dr. Brian Brettschneider of the National Weather Service, showing that summer is expanding in length over much of the U.S. “Hot temperatures are occurring earlier in June and extending later into September,” Neufeld notes. “For example, summer is 10 days longer now in Boone and Asheville and 15 days longer in Charlotte than it was from 1965-1994.” He adds, “Warmer temperatures at the end of the growing season tend to delay our fall leaf colors.”
For the latest reporting and map, visit biology.appstate.edu/fall-colors/ and follow the Fall Color Guy on FB@ FallColorGuy.
Beech Mountain and Blowing Rock Named Official “Outdoor Trail Towns”
Both Beech Mountain and Blowing Rock have been designated as Outdoor NC Trail Towns by Visit NC, who notes, “NC Trail Towns offer beautiful trails and champion efforts to encourage responsible travel and outdoor recreation.”
The trails and towns in the latest Trail Town Guide stretch from the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, along the riverbanks and rolling hills of the Piedmont, to the 320 miles of coastline, encompassing cities, suburbs and rural towns. The trails include a variety of activities—walking, hiking, biking, cycling, paddling, horseback riding and driving—and welcome visitors of all abilities.
Peruse a digital version of the 2025 Outdoor NC 2025 NC Trail Town Guide at outdoornc.com/trail-town-guide/. For each area named in the Guide, you’ll find an overview of the town, some “Destination Trip Tips,” “Accessible Outdoor Adventures,” and a list of some of the best trails in each area. The 2025 edition includes 23 destinations and 161 trails to explore throughout the state.
Blue Ridge Conservancy Welcomes New Faces to the Team
This season, the team at Blue Ridge Conservancy (BRC) wishes a warm farewell to long-time executive director Charlie Brady, while also welcoming several exceptional people to serve in key staff positions.
Charlie Brady, after eight years of visionary leadership at the land conservation organization, is moving on to his next chapter. BRC Board Chair Katherine Dean said, “Charlie has been a constant source of inspiration to staff, the BRC Board of Trustees, donors and community partners. Charlie’s passion for conservation has kept BRC laser focused on its mission to save more of the land we all love for future generations. Thanks to Charlie’s transformational leadership, BRC has created a conservation campus for everyone to enjoy, spearheaded the Northern Peaks State Trail, championed the Middle Fork Greenway, created the Land Protection Acquisition Fund, and helped save over 5,500 acres of significant land in BRC’s service area.”
Now filling the role of BRC’s executive director is David Ray, who was hired to the position in August. “David brings 29 years of experience in conservation, real estate, land use, fundraising, and non-profit leadership,” shared Dean. “He is known for his integrity, his highly collaborative approach, and his deep knowledge and passion for conservation. He spent the first 14 years of his conservation career in western North Carolina, and we are delighted to welcome him back to the Blue Ridge Mountains to advance BRC’s mission.”
Ray had served as the Chief Conservation Officer at Lowcountry Land Trust in Charleston, SC, since 2018. He has also worked for The Nature Conservancy, Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy, and the Open Space Institute, leading or assisting in 70 land acquisition projects totaling almost 60,000 acres.
“I’m thrilled to return to the North Carolina mountains to join Blue Ridge Conservancy’s dynamic and accomplished team,” said Ray. “Together with its supporters and partners, the Conservancy is safeguarding nature’s wonders, preserving land that produces clean water and locally-farmed food, and creating truly invigorating experiences for people at many places across the region.”
BRC also recently welcomed Sara Crouch as their newest Director of Development. Crouch comes to BRC after several years serving the state and community in violence prevention and education with North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and OASIS, Inc. In these roles she coordinated grants, led strategy on fundraising, and built relationships with a diverse, multi-sector group of community partners, businesses, and individuals.
Former Executive Director Charlie Brady shared, “Sara’s passion for protecting the Appalachian mountains stems from her sense of place. Being from Appalachia, she understands the unique connection of people to the land, culturally and environmentally.” He added, “This passion, and her considerable leadership and relationship building skills, make Sara a valuable addition to the BRC team.”
Learn more about all the latest developments at Blue Ridge Conservancy at blueridgeconservancy.org.
Blue Ridge Parkway News
There’s plenty of positive buzz when it comes to the Blue Ridge Parkway, but for both residents and visitors, nothing is as exciting as the reopening of major sections of the Parkway in the wake of Hurricane Helene. While several sections remain closed for repair, some of the most popular stretches that include beloved hiking trails and overlooks—including 12 miles between Blowing Rock and Linville Falls, and eight miles near Sparta—have reopened in time for the busy fall season.
Over at Julian Price Campground, which sits beside Price Lake, the National Park Service has reopened over 30 campsites. Located at milepost 297 on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Blowing Rock, campers can now make reservations through the end of October by visiting recreation.gov. Skilled arborist crews from Rocky Mountain National Park, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, along with Blue Ridge Parkway maintenance staff and volunteers, have worked through the spring and summer to clear debris and manage hazard trees, allowing for this partial opening.
Visitors should plan carefully for any trip along the Parkway and consult the park’s website for extensive information, including current road status, multiple regional maps, and other helpful information about the park’s recovery process at go.nps.gov/Helene.
In early September, the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation, the nonprofit fundraising partner of the Blue Ridge Parkway, hosted a ribbon cutting to celebrate the completion of an ADA-accessible entrance pathway at Bass Lake at Moses H. Cone Memorial Park in Blowing Rock.
“In his time, Moses Cone graciously opened the carriage trails to visitors, and now a concrete entrance path at Bass Lake extends a welcome to even more people who want to experience the beauty of the estate,” said Jordan Calaway, Chief Development Officer with the Foundation. “We are so grateful for everyone who supported this important project.”
The Bass Lake Loop Trail is about one mile in length and is part of more than 25 miles of carriage paths that wind across the former estate of Moses and Bertha Cone.
“The new ADA-accessible ramp at Bass Lake is a wonderful addition to the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Blowing Rock community,” said Tracy Brown, Executive Director of the Blowing Rock Tourism Development Authority. “Accessibility is essential to making sure all visitors can enjoy the beauty and serenity of our trails, and this project opens the Bass Lake Trail to even more people—families with strollers, those with mobility challenges, and anyone who simply wants an easier way to experience nature. We’re grateful to the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation for their commitment to inclusivity, and we know this enhancement will enrich the experience of countless visitors to Blowing Rock.”
The Foundation’s previous projects at Moses H. Cone Memorial Park include the construction of restrooms at the lake, maintenance of the carriage trails, repairs to Flat Top Lookout Tower, and extensive rehabilitation of Flat Top Manor’s exterior. Their annual Denim Ball fundraiser on September 23 will support future enhancements at Flat Top Manor and the park grounds. BRPFoundation.org
More Scenic Drives to Consider
The new High Country Fall Road Trip Mapis out, detailing a 50-mile loop from Banner Elk, NC, that includes a section of the Parkway from Grandfather Mountain to Blowing Rock, and then leads you through Boone (check out an App State football game!), and by pumpkin fields and the original Mast Store in Valle Crucis. Find 500 stops along the way, including shops, galleries and restaurants. Other things to do include: hiking trails, Tweetsie Railroad, Apple Hill Farm (see the alpacas!), Mile High Swinging Bridge at Grandfather, Alpine Coaster, Zip lines, and scenic chairlift rides at our ski resorts. Download free copies and get your road trip ideas at highcountryroadtrip.com. Or, pick up free paper copies at the visitor centers in Boone and Blowing Rock, at the Avery County Chamber of Commerce, and at High Country Host, plus Grandfather Mountain Wilson Center, Banner Elk Town Hall and many other locations.
To extend the leaf peeping, road-tripping adventures, head toward the foothills of McDowell County, where the seasonal color change stretches into early November. With new sections of the Blue Ridge Parkway and trail development expanding in Old Fort and other areas of the county, fall 2025 promises not just scenic beauty, but true adventure.
McDowell offers some of the most beautiful roadways to explore while hunting for fall color. Its top scenic drives include:
- U.S. 221 to Wiseman’s View in the Linville Gorge – Enjoy panoramic views where you can see some of the county’s most rugged landscape.
- Drive to Lake James– Start in Marion on Highway 221 and drive to Highway 221 North. Then hop on Hankins Road, which will point you toward Lake James along its hilly, winding road and sweeping turns around this beautiful lake.
- NC 226-A—also known as the Diamondback—is a favorite for motorcyclists and drivers chasing curves and fall color. Expect more than 190 curves, including numerous hairpins and switchbacks.
For fall travel planning, Destination McDowell publishes their weekly Fall Color Report at destinationmcdowell.com.