The family is getting ready to spend a couple of nights at South Mountains State Park in western NC and I can't wait. We booked a few nights in mid October and if the temps hold we are looking at 70s/40s which should be perfect :)
We will be boondocking this trip and I might bring my small propane heater to take the chill out of the air for our 3 year old. I cant wait to hit some of those trails as I hear the views are amazing and well worth the hike.
Here is the NC Parks page: http://www.ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/somo/main.php
Any other experiences in the area or recommendations?
-Sean
If you are a mountain biker, there are some seriously challenging trails there.
I think we will mostly be hiking. I havent taken my Diamondback out for years and I don't think the little one would make that any easier :)
I am really excited about the trail system up there though even without a bike. I think it will be nice to finally have a trip where its actually about the camping and nature activities. Everything recently has been about the destination and the local attractions and the camping was just a place to sleep at night. This should be a real good chance to decompress.
-Sean
Just a quick update from this past weekend. I havent had a chance to do a full write up, or even upload pictures yet, but I cant tell you how amazing this trip was. We were back to basics on this trip so we had no electric or water hook ups. We didnt even plug in the camper lights to the battery.
The short story:
We headed out Friday around 10:30 and arrived around 2 (maybe 2:30 with a stop for lunch). The park is small compared to some but looked like it had recently been renovated. The staff were very nice and they even had a nice little educational exhibit in the park office. We had reserved sight 13 without knowing anything about the grounds. Turns out 13 is right across the drive from the bath house (again recently renovated) and has a nice two level site.
We setup camp, which only takes a few minuets when there aren't any hook ups to be made, then headed out to explore. We knew the park was well known for its waterfall(s) and overlooks, but we also knew most of those trails were considered strenuous. Neither one of us expected to take the family out for a substantial hike the first day, but that plan changed. We started on a nice easy trail next to the stream which turned out to be only about a half mile or so and was very flat. At the end there was a sign saying we were less than a mile from the falls. We figured why not check that out. The trails were beautiful with early fall weather, crisp air, and some leaves changing colors. The mountain stream was near by for most if not all of the hike as well. We made it to the falls in relatively short order, which was impressive to me since our 3 year old was doing most of her own hiking. She was such a trooper. Seeing the falls was worth the hike without a doubt. They were impressive to say the least.
It was at this point our hike became longer than expected because my wife suggested we complete the loop part of this trail. Again on paper it didn't list as very far mileage wise but we knew the terrain was considered strenuous. We had plenty of daylight so we headed on up the trail which rapidly turned to some steep climbing between the stairs and natural terrain. At this point the 3 year old decided she wanted a break so I was the lucky winner of an extra 30 some odd pounds on my shoulders :)
In the long run it was well worth it to complete the loop trail and I have to admit that even with having a child on my back it wasnt that bad.
That night we eat dinner and had a small fire. We were all tired so we were in bed and asleep early.
The next day we were up, cooked breakfast, packed lunches, and were on the trails by 10ish. We were in no rush and had no real plan other than some possible destinations.
We headed to the two major over looks, the farthest was about a 2 mile hike. The catch to that hike was in about a miles distance you were climbing about 800-900 feet in elevation. This time the 3 year old was up and down during the whole hike (mostly up).
We made it to the top in about 2 hours averaging just over a mile per hour hike speed. The views were fantastic and it was nice just sitting there eating a sandwich as we looked out over the landscape.
Coming back was almost as slow averaging about a mile per hour again.
We were back at camp by early afternoon for a break. A little time in the hammock and a chance to just relax.
Sunday we took our time getting up and moving but we didnt have anything we needed to do so we packed camp and hit the road by mid day. We wanted to be home with enough time that we could unpack and get ready for work the following week without feeling stressed.
Overall I would highly recommend this park to anyone. If you have a larger trailer you will need one of the two RV sites available but if you have a smaller camplite or a quicksilver you can fit in just about anywhere else on the grounds.
I'll take some time and do a real write up and post some pictures soon.
-Sean
We enjoy hiking & camping @ South Mountains SP, too.
[a href="http://s657.photobucket.com/user/vstromklr/media/2013/2014/IMG_3975_zps837b0c36.jpg.html"]
[img style="max-width:100%;" src="http://i657.photobucket.com/albums/uu299/vstromklr/2013/2014/IMG_3975_zps837b0c36.jpg"][/a]
[a href="http://s657.photobucket.com/user/vstromklr/media/2013/2014/IMG_3973_zpsda73b675.jpg.html"]
[img style="max-width:100%;" src="http://i657.photobucket.com/albums/uu299/vstromklr/2013/2014/IMG_3973_zpsda73b675.jpg"][/a]
New Restrooms & showers:
[a href="http://s657.photobucket.com/user/vstromklr/media/2013/2014/IMG_3968_zpsfc5c565b.jpg.html"]
(http://i657.photobucket.com/albums/uu299/vstromklr/2013/2014/IMG_3968_zpsfc5c565b.jpg)
[img style="max-width:100%;" src="http://i657.photobucket.com/albums/uu299/vstromklr/2013/2014/IMG_3969_zpsea1ae14a.jpg"][/a]
[a href="http://s657.photobucket.com/user/vstromklr/media/2013/IMG_1914_zpsc271afb8.jpg.html"]
(http://i657.photobucket.com/albums/uu299/vstromklr/2013/IMG_1914_zpsc271afb8.jpg)
[img style="max-width:100%;" src="http://i657.photobucket.com/albums/uu299/vstromklr/2013/IMG_1908_zpsde359e16.jpg"][/a]
We hiked at South Mountains SP today. Here's a few more photos:
[a href="http://s657.photobucket.com/user/vstromklr/media/2013/2014/IMG_5097_zps1a38641c.jpg.html"]
(http://i657.photobucket.com/albums/uu299/vstromklr/2013/2014/IMG_5097_zps1a38641c.jpg)
(http://i657.photobucket.com/albums/uu299/vstromklr/2013/2014/IMG_5105_zpsc5930d4e.jpg)
Are you a postcard photographer by day ? Beautiful shots.
[quote source="/post/4594/thread" timestamp="1414636213" author="@pinstriper"]Are you a postcard photographer by day ? Beautiful shots.[/quote]Thanks!!!!
Love to take photos!!!!!!
Those are some great shots exploringcarolina. My wife is much like you when it comes to photography and we end up with so many shots by the end of our trips. I've added some of my favorites here: https://flic.kr/s/aHsk2f4sgB
One of these days we should organize a LivinLite meetup and see how many rigs we can pack into one of these beautiful parks :)
Thanks!
Sounds good to me, ready for a meet! Remember, if there's no photos how can we prove it happened!
Nice shots taken during your South Mountains visit.
For hiking we like South Mountains SP NC & Stone Mountain SP NC.
For Kayaking we like Lake Wateree SP SC.
For bicycling we like Hunting Island SP SC.
A meetup would be nice! I just hope it's not too far away! ;)
[quote source="/post/4642/thread" timestamp="1414753761" author="@paul"]A meetup would be nice! I just hope it's not too far away! ;)[/quote]Understand, since we are retired, it's easy for use to travel to other states!
[quote source="/post/4649/thread" timestamp="1414762132" author="@exploringcarolina"][quote source="/post/4642/thread" timestamp="1414753761" author="@paul"]A meetup would be nice! I just hope it's not too far away! ;)[/quote]Understand, since we are retired, it's easy for use to travel to other states!
[/quote]
Since I am in Canada for me it would be to other country! :)
[quote source="/post/4674/thread" timestamp="1414778958" author="@paul"][quote source="/post/4649/thread" timestamp="1414762132" author="@exploringcarolina"]Understand, since we are retired, it's easy for use to travel to other states!
[/quote]Since I am in Canada for me it would be to other country! :)
One day we hope to camp there, too. Always been interested in visiting the Escape manufacturing plant.
When we camp @ Hunting Island SP SC next April, will meet an Escape owner camping with his 5.0 TA.
[/quote]
Quote from: @exploringcarolina" timestamp="1414782976" source="/post/4677/thread[quote timestamp="1414778958" author="@paul" source="/post/4674/thread"]Since I am in Canada for me it would be to other country! :)
One day we hope to camp there, too. Always been interested in visiting the Escape manufacturing plant.
When we camp @ Hunting Island SP SC next April, will meet an Escape owner camping with his 5.0 TA.
[/quote]Nice :)