South Mountain- quick overnighter

[nbkky71]

Some buddies and I made a quick overnight trip to South Mountain yesterday, braving the chilly temps.

We ended up spending the night at Shinny Creek but it seemed a shame to pack in for only 3/4 mi trail, so we took the long way around… hiking up Upper Falls - Jonas Ridge - HQ trail to the site. Lots of up, up and up but always worth it for the views on the top of the ridge. Winter is even better because there’s no one else around!

The wind picked up in the evening and it got down to the low 20’s but the moonlight lit up the whole area… no flashlights needed!

 

[cubrock]

That is a great campsite. We have done the same hike into it.

 

[chiefjason]

The hike over to Chestnut Knob from there is a good one if you want to add miles to the trip. Nothing like turning a 3/4 mile trip into 7 miles. Lol.

 

[nbkky71]

Amen to that. Pretty easy to tack on mileage in the park. Our last trip up there were went all the way out to Fox Ridge via the road, along the west fringes of the park. About 6 miles in with 2/3 of it uphill. 🥵

But I love that place!

 

[cubrock]

That section up the road can really gas you, especially when the weather is hot.

We are planning a single day hike of the outer loop when it warms up, which is something like 21 or 23 miles, off the top of my head.

 

[NoBodyImportant]

South mountain is hands down the most underrated park in NC. You never hear much about it and it is wonderful

 

[nbkky71]

finally got around to downloading from the GPS.

 

[Jerzsubbie]

I decided it would be a good idea to bring my mountain bike to South Mtn during one car camping trip. That was a terrible idea! The “up, up, and more up” is spot on. No thanks, I’d rather hike it normally than hike dragging a 27lb bike too.

My wife likes car camping there and Lake James, both have great facilities.

 

[Gator]

South mountain is hands down the most underrated park in NC. You never hear much about it and it is wonderful

Wife and I took ride through the park for the first time about a month ago, we were impressed.

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