DOCSLIB.ORG

Boone Bucket List

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Boone Bucket List Things to do in Boone, NC Tubing, Canoeing, or Kayaking River Rafting and Tubing down the new River. Consider the following outfitters: Wahoo’s Adventure, River and Earth Adventures, and River Girl Stroll the Greenway Trail In the Boone area, the outdoors is a lifestyle. Boone's great paved greenway trail follows the pastoral South Fork of the New River. The best in-town trailheads for the core greenway area are the Watauga County Recreation Complex or adjacent Clawson Burnley Park. Turn off State Farm Road on Hunting Hills Lane. Turn left just beyond the Watauga County Recreation Complex for some parking at the complex, or park to your right, by sports fields. Hike Rough Ridge The iconic Appstate student photo In the Boone area, the outdoors is a lifestyle. Some trails may start a short walk from your inn or hotel. Boone's great paved greenway trail follows the pastoral South Fork of the New River. This hike is on the Grandfather Mountain portion of the Blue Ridge Parkway north of Linville and south of Blowing Rock. Start at either Wilson Creek Overlook (Milepost 303.6) or Rough Ridge Overlook (Milepost 302.8). Hike Beacon Heights Trail Description: The Beacon Heights Trail is a short trail that will give you a great view of Grandfather Mountain and the lower foothills. The trail is an easy trail to hike with a huge semi-flat rock at the end that gives you the great view that you came for. This trail is great to hike in the spring and summer but is especially good in the fall. The trail in the summer time has wild blackberry and blueberry bushes that are tasty to eat. From the trail you can also access the Mountain-To-Sea trail and you can pick up at the end of the Tanawha Trail. http://www.appalachianhighcountrytrails.com/beacon_heights_trail.html Directions: From Boone; Take NC 105 south, turn left onto US-221 (at light near Linville), turn left onto the Blue Ridge Parkway on- ramp, turn right (south) onto the Blue Ridge Parkway, trail is almost immediately on your left at milepost 305.2. Howards Knob Park Howard's Knob (elevation 4,406 feet) offers "unparalleled views" of Boone and Appalachian State University. From 421 (E. King St.) turn north onto Grand Blvd and travel 0.2 miles, turn left on Bear Trail (one way) and drive another 0.2 miles, then turn left on Eastview Dr./E. Junaluska Rd. (listed as both on Google Maps) continue following this insanely steep road up the mountain for 0.85 miles, you'll then turn right onto Howard's Knob Road and drive 1/2 mile to the park located at the end of this road. The one-way road goes through the park goes counter- clockwise. The parking area for the overlook is located next to an open meadow -- a short walk will lead to the overlook. http://appalachiantreks.blogspot.com/2009/09/howards- knob.html The Cascade Trail These moderate hikes to a Blue Ridge Parkway waterfall teach about trees and feature historic cabins. Directions: connect to the Blue Ridge Parkway via the ramp closest to The Cascades, from U.S. 421 in Deep Gap, at the Parkway overpass bridge. Note: this is also at the Eastern Continental Divide. At the top of the Parkway ramp, turn left onto the Parkway and drive north 4.4 miles to E. B. Jeffress Park and The Cascade Falls overlook and parking lot. Skiing and Snowboarding Our three area ski resorts (Appalachian Ski Mountain; Beech Mountain Resort; and Sugar Mountain Resort) offer everything from skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing, ice skating, lessons and more. Rock & Ice magazine named Rock Climbing Boone one of the United States' top ten climbing towns stating the NC High Country being "some of the East Coasts best climbing." Whether you are after multi- pitch ascents of awe-inspiring cliffs, or easy access bouldering (climbing close to the ground, without ropes or harnesses) the Boone area has a range of topnotch climbing experiences. Watch a Movie The local theatre is Regal Boone Cinema 7. They are located at 210 New Market Centre Boone, NC 28607 Phone - 844-462-7342 Open 7 days a week Grandfather Mountain The world's only privately owned International Biosphere Reserve is non-profit preservation at its loftiest. A spectacular drive takes visitors to the wheelchair- accessible Mile-High Swinging Bridge, thousands of feet above the Carolina Piedmont. A world-class nature museum, interpretive programs, and Environmental Habitats for deer, bears, cougars, and otters offer outdoor education and entertainment. There's a state-of-the-art eagle aviary. Awesome trails lead to high adventure in adjacent Grandfather Mountain State Park. Open all year. High Gravity Adventures This newest of the Boone area's attractions is an aerial adventure park, located right next to Tweetsie Railroad, specializing in unique outdoor recreation activities for ages 4 and up. This means that each guest will have the opportunity to explore and climb through 75 aerial elements, at heights from 15 to 50 feet. Guests receive an aerial orientation, called "Ground School," on how to use their safety equipment. Once they enter the aerial park, guests will then choose which elements they want to cross or climb, and how high in the air they want to explore for up to 3 hours! Mystery Hill This High Country family favorite amusingly defies the forces of gravity and physics. Mystery Hill's Appalachian Heritage Museum is an historic 1898 home featuring authentic insight into 19th century life in the mountains. Open year- round. The Blowing Rock A colorful legend attributed to Native Americans explains the odd updrafts on this spectacular crag that led "Ripley's Believe It or Not" to proclaim it "the only place in the world where snow falls upside down." The Blowing Rock's dramatic views from this cliffside perch, open since 1933 as "North Carolina's oldest travel attraction." Open year-round. The Boone Area Wine Trail Our trail to the East's loftiest vineyards will elevate your appreciation of fine wine- and great scenery. Take this spectacular loop of the High Country for two sophisticated viticultural experiences on a visit to the Grandfather Vineyard & Winery in Foscoe and the Banner Elk Winery in Banner Elk. Zip Line Adventures Zip-line thrills are fun for all ages-and the Boone Area has two outstanding venues for zip-line adventure. You'll soar above-it-all, including trees and meadows, at Hawksnest Zipline and Sky Valley Zip Tours. Hawksnest is open year-round and is located in the town of Seven Devils, a short 15 minute drive from Boone. Sky Valley is open April through October and is about a 5 minute drive from the Boone Mall. Mountain View Speedway Local Dirt track racing at it’s finest! Address: 748 Roby Greene Rd, The High Country Fairgrounds, Boone, NC 28607-9153Phone Number: +1 828-773-6896 Shopping in the Area Boone Mall - Address: 1180 Blowing Rock Rd Ste E6, Boone, NC28607- 4831Phone Number: (828) 264-7286 Tanger Outlets - 278 Shoppes on the Parkway Rd #33, Blowing Rock, NC 28605 Mast General Store - 630 W King St, Boone, NC 28607.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Spring-2015-Guide.Pdf
    SPRING | | SUMMER | | 2015 www.advguides.com Proudly Partnered with Thanks to all our supporters for making 2013 a productive year. Here are some highlights from the year, as we partnered with our 300 collaborating organizations to make the French Broad River Watershed a destination to live, work, and play; now and into the future. 2013 RiverLink Accomplishments: • Was voted “Best Environmental Group” for the 8th year in a row in the Mountain Xpress. Thank you, Western North Carolina! • Continued on-going work at Karen Cragnolin Park using phytoremediation. • Added a new river access point at our • Opened three new French Broad River Performance Plaza and received funding paddle-in campsites, which are free and to add another river access in 2014. open to the public with no reservation. • Partnered with the City of Asheville • Hosted the second year of RiverMusic, and the UNCA Foundation to develop a a free family-friendly summer long greenway along Reed Creek. concert series by the river. • We accepted numerous riparian • In addition to our 1700 amazing conservation easements, including a 13- existing volunteers, we welcomed acre easement along the French Broad 785 new stewards of the river who River in Madison County. contributed 2539 hours of service. • Received $400,000 in funding for the • Participated in the 2013 North Carolina Craven Street (New Belgium Brewing Big Sweep cleaning over 20 miles of the Company) clean water and stormwater French Broad River and its tributaries. improvements. Become a voice of the river. Please call 828-252-8474 or visit www.riverlink.org to make your tax deductible donation.
    [Show full text]
  • Golf Course, the Home of the Fighting Golf Camel Golf Teams and PGA Golf Management Program, Tel.(910)893 5051, in Buies Creek, North Carolina
    MileByMile.com Personal Road Trip Guide North Carolina United States Highway #421 Miles ITEM SUMMARY 0.0 Pleasure Is.: South Eastern Pleasure Island, near Fort Fisher State Recreation Area, on The Basin of Terminus US #421 North Carolina, This is where US Route #421, begins its run through North Carolina to terminate at the Tennessee State Line northwest of the city of Boone, North Carolina. Major Cities US Highway #421 passes by are; Wilmington, Greensboro and Winston-Salem, in North Carolina. Altitude: 3 feet 0.7 Aquarium Path : North Aquarium Path, to North Carolina Aquarium in Fort Fisher, located Carolina Aquarium within the Fort Fisher State Recreation Area, Altitude: 3 feet 1.5 Battle Acre Rd : Fort Battle Acre Road, Fort Fisher was a Confederate fort during the Fisher, NC American Civil War, located on one of Cape Fear River's two outlets to the Atlantic Ocean on present day Pleasure Island. Fort Fisher Air Force Station was a US Air Force installation located on the Atlantic coast near Kure Beach, North Carolina. State Historic Site, Kure Beach, Altitude: 3 feet 2.1 Surfrider Circle : Surfrider Circle, Underwater Archaeology, located on US Route #421, Underwater Archaeology on Pleasure Island, North Carolina Altitude: 10 feet 3.7 Avenue K : Kure Beach, Avenue K, Kure Beach, North Carolina, a town in New Hanover NC County, North Carolina, Kure Beach Pier, a long pier located in Kure Beach, NC, Altitude: 16 feet 5.2 Ocean Blvd : Wilmington Ocean Boulevard, Wilmington Beach was a coastal unincorporated Beach, NC community on Pleasure Island in North Carolina, now annexed by the town of Carolina Beach, North Carolina on the Pleasure Island.
    [Show full text]
  • Blue Ridge Parkway DIRECTORY & TRAVEL PLANNER Includes the Parkway Milepost
    Blue Ridge Park way DIRECTORY & TRAVEL PLANNER Includes The Parkway Milepost Shenandoah National Park / Skyline Drive, Virginia Luray Caverns Luray, VA Exit at Skyline Drive Milepost 31.5 The Natural Bridge of Virginia Natural Bridge, VA Exit at Milepost 63.9 Grandfather Mountain Linville, NC Exit at Milepost 305.1 2011 COVER chosen.indd 3 1/25/11 1:09:28 PM The North The 62nd Edition Carolina Arboretum, OFFICIAL PUBLICATION BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY ASSOCIATION, INC. Asheville, NC. P. O. BOX 2136, ASHEVILLE, NC 28802 Exit at (828) 670-1924 Milepost 393 COPYRIGHT 2011 NO Portion OF THIS GUIDE OR ITS MAPS may BE REPRINTED WITHOUT PERMISSION. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. PRINTED IN THE USA. Some Parkway photographs by William A. Bake, Mike Booher, Vickie Dameron and Jeff Greenberg © Blue Ridge Parkway Association Layout/Design: Imagewerks Productions: Fletcher, NC This free Travel Directory is published by the 500+ PROMOTING member Blue Ridge Parkway Association to help you more TOURISM FOR fully enjoy your Parkway area vacation. Our member- MORE THAN ship includes attractions, outdoor recreation, accom- modations, restaurants, 60 YEARS shops, and a variety of other services essential to the trav- eler. All our members are included in this Travel Directory. Distribution of the Directory does not imply endorsement by the National Park Service of the busi- nesses or commercial services listed. When you visit their place of business, please let them know you found them in the Blue Ridge Parkway Travel Directory. This will help us ensure the availability of another Directory for you the next time you visit the Parkway area.
    [Show full text]
  • Blue Ridge Park Way DIRECTORY TRAVEL PLANNER
    65 TH Edition Blue Ridge Park way www.blueridgeparkway.org DIRECTORY TRAVEL PLANNER Includes THE PARKWAY MILEPOST Biltmore Asheville, NC Exit at Milepost 388.8 Grandfather Mountain Linville, NC Exit at Milepost 305.1 Roanoke Star and Overlook Roanoke, VA Exit at Milepost 120 Official Publication of the Blue Ridge Parkway Association The 65th Edition OFFICIAL PUBLICATION BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY ASSOCIATION, INC. P. O. BOX 2136, ASHEVILLE, NC 28802 (828) 670-1924 www.blueridgeparkway.org • [email protected] COPYRIGHT 2014 NO Portion OF THIS GUIDE OR ITS MAPS may BE REPRINTED WITHOUT PERMISSION. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. PRINTED IN THE USA. Some Parkway photographs by William A. Bake, Mike Booher, Vicki Dameron and Jeff Greenberg © Blue Ridge Parkway Association Layout/Design: Imagewerks Productions: Arden, NC This free Directory & Travel PROMOTING Planner is published by the 500+ member Blue Ridge TOURISM FOR Parkway Association to help Chimney Rock at you more fully enjoy your Chimney Rock State Park Parkway area vacation. MORE THAN Members representing attractions, outdoor recre- ation, accommodations, res- Follow us for more Blue Ridge Parkway 60 YEARS taurants, shops, and a variety of other services essential to information and resources: the traveler are included in this publication. When you visit their place of business, please let them know www.blueridgeparkway.org you found them in the Blue Ridge Parkway Directory & Travel Planner. This will help us ensure the availability of another Directory & Travel Planner for your next visit
    [Show full text]
  • Grandfather Mountain Trail
    generations to come. to generations www.grandfather.com the mountain in its awesome state for for state awesome its in mountain the And with your help, we’ll preserve preserve we’ll help, your with And nowhere else on earth. on else nowhere say that Grandfather is like like is Grandfather that say Reserve family, it’s safe to to safe it’s family, Reserve the International Biosphere Biosphere International the in the Southeast. Southeast. the in including induction into into induction including of the most wonder-filled places places wonder-filled most the of to worldwide recognition, recognition, worldwide to Grandfather Mountain is one one is Mountain Grandfather features and natural diversity have led led have diversity natural and features and an impressive array of wildlife, wildlife, of array impressive an and imperiled. As its unique unique its As imperiled. Known for sweeping views views sweeping for Known 29 of which are globally globally are which of 29 and endangered species, species, endangered and and protect at least 70 rare rare 70 least at protect and communities that house house that communities you can fi nd 16 distinct ecological ecological distinct 16 nd fi can you of this ancient mountain, mountain, ancient this of On the slopes and peaks peaks and slopes the On impression. impression. Wonders never cease never Wonders visit here is sure to leave an an leave to sure is here visit High Swinging Bridge, a a Bridge, Swinging High NORTH CAROLINA NORTH MOUNTAIN scenery, to making the trip across the Mile Mile the across trip the making to scenery, Welcome to Grandfather Mountain Grandfather to Welcome ® GRANDFATHER habitat, to relaxing among unparalleled unparalleled among relaxing to habitat, Linville, NC 28646 Linville, NC explore.
    [Show full text]
  • July-September 2017
    Blue Ridge Hiking Club Hike List – July-September 2017 July 1, Crabtree Falls, Mineral Museum, and lunch at Mountain View Restaurant: Crabtree Meadows Campground, South Toe, Yancy Co., NC, BR Parkway milepost 340. 1-1/4 hours down BR Parkway south from Boone, milepost 340. Walk down on loop trail to a pretty waterfall. Steps going down, sloped trail coming back up. Approx. 3 miles, moderate with a few strenuous parts, 700 foot elevation gain, approx. 2 hours. On our return we will visit the mineral museum just off the Parkway and then enjoy a meal at the Mountain View Restaurant (gorgeous views!) across the Parkway from the museum. No dogs. Call hike leader, Juin Adams 828-295-9607. July 3: Trout Lake to Manor House & Figure 8 Trail: Meet at Trout Lake parking lot (1st exit left off Parkway just south of Cone Manor going to Rt. 221 and then take an immediate right, a U turn, onto Shull's Mill Rd going under parkway). Meet at 9:30. About 5 miles, relaxed pace. Done by noon. Guests and non-members welcome. No dogs. July 5: Trout Lake to Cone Cemetery. Meet at Trout Lake Parking lot (leave the Parkway at milepost 294.6 and turn onto Shull’s Mill Rd. and then right on the one-way road to the parking lot).about 5.8 miles round trip. Rated easy. No dogs. Contact hike leader, Roger. Bodo, [email protected] or 828-260-2019. July 8, Upper Thunderhole Trail/China Creek Loop: A beautiful hike featuring a wide variety of terrain, near Blowing Rock.
    [Show full text]
  • Grandfather Mountain Hike
    Grandfather Mountain - Linville, North Carolina Length Difficulty Streams Views Solitude Camping 11.5 mls N/A Hiking Time: 8.0 hrs with 2.0 hrs for breaks Elev. Gain: 3,378 ft Parking: Park at the Boone Fork parking area along Blue Ridge Parkway. 36.11986, -81.78131 By Trail Contributor: Zach Robbins A hike along the crest of Grandfather Mountain should be on everyone’s bucket list if they live in the Southeast. The crest trail is readily identified as one of the most rugged in the East and some may consider this the “Old Rag of North Carolina.” While not quite as rugged and technical as the nicknames suggest, Grandfather Mountain offers miles of exciting rock scrambles, ladders, cables, huge cliffs, exposed rocky summits, 16 distinct ecosystems, and views in every direction of tallest mountains in the Appalachian chain. As an international biosphere some flock to the mountain for a huge variety of plant life which is vibrant in the Fall and Spring seasons. The real attractions are the 4 named summits on the mountain massif – Linville, MacRae, Attic Window, and Calloway peaks. Topping out at 5,946 feet this mountain dominates the surrounding valleys by nearly 2,000 feet. There are 3 ways to access the crest trail. Two of them require difficult ascents from the valleys below and are part of the state park system. The third option is part of the private tourist attraction that existed prior to the state’s purchase of the land in 2008 to create a new state park. This attraction operates independently from the state park and costs $20/adult person to enter.
    [Show full text]
  • NCWF Partnering for Red Wolves
    North Carolina WILDLIFE FE DERATIONJJournalournalWILD LIVES WILD PLACES Spring 20 18 WORK THE PLAN North Carolina’s Wildlife Action Plan Leaves No Species Behind. Bird’s-eye View Conservation Awards Nominations NCWF in the East 7 8 10 pathways in conservation You Say “Cheater” Like That’s a Bad T hing BY TIM GESTWICKI , NCWF CEO hether they fly, swim, burrow, hop, slither, scamper, or climb, wild animals are simply fascinating to me. Most Wof us have our favorites. I certainly do, but ask me to name my favorite wild creature and the answer I give you today might not be the one I would have given you a month ago. I’m a fickle wildlife lover. These days, I’m just getting over a pretty serious spring fling with wild turkeys. I’ve got a serious crush on lightning bugs going, but I know that it won’t last any longer than a summer vacation beach love because I’m a sucker for speckled trout come fall. I’ll be honest: When it comes to monogamy in wildlife love, count me out. I’m a serial cheater. I’ll dump a wood - pecker in a skinny minute when I hear a barred owl sing at sunset. Except for one wild thing—the loon. This is an ancient species, a large, heavy water bird that looks like a large duck but its belly floats below the water making it look a bit like a cormorant when swimming. Its summer plumage is black with beautiful white breast stripes and a white checkered back.
    [Show full text]
  • THE HIGH COUNTRY NOTES BEACON HEIGHTS NEAR GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN at Mile 15.7, MST Crosses Boone Fork, Which Requires Wading
    2 | Mountains-to-Sea Trail 1/15/14 Beacn Heights to US 421 Near Deep Gap | 3 HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE • The Linn Cove Viaduct, a 1,243-foot concrete engineering marvel that carries the BRP around the base of Grandfather Mountain. • Views of Grandfather Mountain, Table Rock, Hawksbill, and Pisgah National Forest that can encompass over 50 miles on a clear day. • Moses H. Cone Memorial Park, where the MST uses the park’s former carriage trails and passes by Flat Top Manor, which now serves as the parkway’s craft center. • Scenic long-range views, pastoral meadows, picturesque creeks, tranquil forests, and intriguing rock formations The nearby resort towns of Linville, Blowing Rock, and Boone offer all Mountains-to-Sea Trail below Linn Cove Viaduct amenities. They also make it easy to break this segment into several day PHOTO BY SHELTON WILDER hikes. THE HIGH COUNTRY NOTES BEACON HEIGHTS NEAR GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN At mile 15.7, MST crosses Boone Fork, which requires wading. Depending TO US 421 NEAR DEEP GAP on the water level, you will probably wade in water up to your knees. It by Carolyn Sakowski is worth the hassle as the MST from the creek crossing to Shulls Mill Road offers an easy stroll along an old turnpike road through the forest. This 43-mile segment offers the hiker some of the most astounding scenery FMST is trying to raise money to build a bridge here, so feel free to make in northwestern North Carolina. This part of the trail, which travels along contributions. the ridge line where elevations range from 3,400 to 4,300 feet, offers views looking down the escarpment into the North Carolina piedmont.
    [Show full text]
  • 2013 Newsletter
    Blue Ridge Photo courtesy of Rick Short Conservancy Saving The Places You Love 2013 ELK KNOB STATE PARK Photo by Laura Yaeger Executive Director’s Message . 2 JOin US TOday at BRC! OUR MISSION You can support our efforts by joining Working with willing landowners and local BRC Member Spotlight . 3 or renewing online, or by returning communities to permanently protect land Land Protection Projects . 4-5 the enclosed envelope with your and water resources with agricultural, Welcome New Trustee . 6 membership or contribution . ecological, cultural, recreational and AmeriCorps Member . 6 scenic value in northwest North Carolina . 2013 BRC Hike Schedule . 7 BRC In The Community . 8-11 Blue Ridge 2012 Events . .12-13 Conservancy LTA Accrediation . .14 Saving The Places You Love BRC Financial Summary . .14 Thank You M-Prints . 14 Looking Toward The Future . .15 If, after reading our newsletter, you pass it along to a friend, you have doubled Sponsor Thank You . 15 its impact without any additional cost to you or Blue Ridge Conservancy! 2013 Events . .16 Thanks for your help spreading the good word! BOARD OF From the Executive Director TRUSTEES E d Shuford BRC Accredited! President Virginia Tate Looking back over the last year two words come to mind Vice-President regarding BRC – achievement and results. Undoubtedly, our most John Turner significant achievement was earning accreditation from the Land Secretary Trust Alliance Accreditation Commission. Being an accredited Gary Clawson Treasurer land trust brings the recognition that BRC is professionally Photo courtesy of Katie Langley Photography Bob Cherry serving clients and generally operating at a high level using Member At-Large standards and practices set by the Commission.
    [Show full text]
  • Mountains and Meadowlands Along the Blue Ridge Parkway
    Mountains and Meadowlands Mountains and Meadowlands Along the Blue Ridge Parkway Text and photos by William A. Bake Office of Publications National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Washington, D.C. 1975 A Prologue to the Past 1 The Blue Ridge Parkway Rolling into the distance like "the great distance like breakers and swells Ocean itself," the Blue Ridge dips into a means mountains—the highest deep cove at Wildcat Rocks in Doughton frozen in time. of them mantled with trees and Park (Milepost 240), then swells toward the horizon. Their time, in fact, began long wildflowers uniquely their own. ago, even in geologic terms. The It also means meadows—some Blue Ridge Mountains—indeed, for farming, others that beckon all the Appalachians—are an­ visitors to wander and explore. cient mountains. Rounded in This booklet introduces both form and subdued in height, the mood and substance of the they are nevertheless a rugged Parkway's highest peaks and lot whose wrinkles and crannies, sweeping meadowlands. Though Indian pipe, a small but conspicuous saphrophyte, pushes past the clover-like cliffs and gorges are often hid­ designed to be read quickly, it leaves of wood sorrel. den from easy view. remains to be re-examined when­ ever mountains and meadow- Like so many of the Earth's lands return to mind or presence. mountains, the Appalachians were created in a very complex An "Ocean of Woods swelled manner. It is sufficient to say, and depressed with a waving rather than going through the Surface like that of the great complexities, that what remains Ocean itself wrote an early is a range of mountains which visitor as he sought a way to begins in the Canadian maritime describe the Blue Ridge Moun­ provinces near the Atlantic and tains.
    [Show full text]
  • Mount Mitchell State Park General Management Plan
    Mount Mitchell State Park General Management Plan North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Division of Parks and Recreation Mountain Region February 2017 I. MISSION & PURPOSE MISSION STATEMENT: Conservation: To protect natural diversity of North Carolina through careful selection and stewardship of state parks system lands; Recreation: To provide and promote outdoor recreation opportunities in the state parks system and throughout the state; and Education: To encourage appreciation of North Carolina’s natural and cultural heritage through diverse educational opportunities; for all citizens of and visitors to the State of North Carolina. Our purpose: The State of North Carolina offers unique archaeologic, geologic, biologic, scenic and recreational resources. These resources are part of the heritage of the people of this State. The heritage of a people should be preserved and managed by those people for their use and for the use of their visitors and descendants. PARK PURPOSE: Concerned citizens, led by Governor Locke Craig, urged that Mount Mitchell be protected from the massive logging operations that had environmentally and aesthetically damaged much of the Black Mountain range. In response to this concern, the General Assembly in 1915 passed legislation authorizing the purchase of the summit, and a year later Mount Mitchell became North Carolina's first state park. The legislation cited altitude of Mount Mitchell, scenic beauty, and importance to water quality, recreational value, forest resources, and the threats to the mountain as justification for its purchase. Mount Mitchell offers scenic panoramas of mountain peaks, forests, clouds, rolling ridges, and fertile valleys. On clear days, views of up to 100 miles allow visitors to see prominent geographical features in North Carolina and other states.
    [Show full text]