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
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Looks like a nice place to make an afternoon memorable.
The waterfall and the scenes look fantastic.
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That was beautiful! I love all of the nature that North Carolina has to offer! I love Asheville! If I moved anywhere in North Carolina, that would be it!
Fungi country! There has been enough rain there to grow a forest of them. Look at you in your mushroom leggings!!! How far was it from the parking lot to the platform? Just curious.
I have to agree that the fall is amazing there, but, I love the summer and spring too. The falls are magnificent!
Thanks so much for sharing them.
PS: You look kickass gorgeous!
Hey Denise!
Yes, this really is such a beautiful part of the country. I'm so glad we're finally taking some time to explore it when we get the chance. So much to check out! I'll have to do a post just with the food in Asheville, as well. Vegan heaven!
It was pretty cool to see all of the shroomies. I can't remember if it was this one or another spot we went but they said it was essentially like a subtropical rainforest. The pants were definitely appropriate. ;)
And thank you for the compliment. We tend to glow when we are soaking up the beauty of nature, don't we? 😘
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If I ever came across a place called Bearwallow Falls I'd definitely stop, too. What an awesome name!
Right? Though it wasn't there that we saw the actual bear...🐻
Nothing like a good hike to make you feel !ALIVE
Absolutely! Especially at totally new places. :)
HI! Nice to see your post again ^_^ Looks like a sweet place to visit and look at those mushrooms! Its nice to see that you are still posting :) Take care old friend
@foxyspirit!!! So nice to see you! How are you?
Still posting here and there when I get the chance. Life definitely gets a bit busy sometimes, but it's always nice to see some online pals when I can. :)
It's nice to see you as well :D I'm doing great! So many good things has happened.
Glad to see that you are still posting too, I was hoping to reconnect with some old friends of course :D
So glad things have been going well for you! You were definitely due a good turn.
I still keep up with @traciyork and @fionasfavourites the most, along with some other good pals, though pop in to some of the challenges and drool over the plant-based recipes when I can. Miss Nicky around these parts, but see him pop up on Twitter on occasion.
I took on some more responsibilities at work the last year on the corporate wellness side of things, so that has cut into the time I used to use for blogging. But it's all good (if occasionally stressful, haha). Especially with how expensive things are anymore--steady work is much appreciated!
How are the kiddos?
I'm slowly making my way back, I'll have to visit Traci when I get a moment too.
We've all had a massive fluctuation, it's insane. I got two jobs on the go, both part time as none are able to give full time. One for the post office and another as a pharmacy tech. I can see the possible reason as to why Nicky isn't around much, working a lot I'm assuming. @gaz still around? I'll have to check as well when I get a minute.
The kids have changed so much. They are doing good, I have my youngest showing that she's like me more and more for the creepy things haha. My son is in his preteen years - a fun and interesting rollercoaster. My 2nd child is very sassy still, she's 9 with the attitude of a 15yr old. There's still time to help her through these emotions XP
How's your niece doing?
I haven't seen Gaz on here in a while, but I think I follow him on Instagram and see a post every now and then. I think we've all gotten pretty busy in the 3-D world!
Glad to hear you have one out of the three who likes the spooky stuff! My sister got my other sister some horror movie icons in Christmas ornaments for her tree because she likes Halloween so much. I think at least Freddy Krueger and Michael Myers?
My niece starts 1st grade tomorrow! Crazy how the time flies. Not to mention how early school starts here. She seems excited, though. It's been fun to watch her start to blossom socially through kindergarten to now. She's made more friends and knows a ton of the people in the school. Of course it's a double-edged sword, because she had birthday parties all summer long, so I feel like I hardly got to see her. I'm sure that will only get "worse" as she gets older, but hopefully she'll never be too cool to hang out with her aunt Katie. ;)
We definitely are busy in the 3D world.
Those christmas ornaments are awesome! I have seen them before and many other horror type ornaments as well but man are they expensive.
I'm sure your niece will always love to hang out with you. You girls are close and you always have made it a point to spend time with her and that sticks to a kid. It changes as they get older but they still like to be close. My one niece is soon 20 and she still comes to visit and have sleep overs :D
It looked like everything around the place is interesting. From the woods, to the surroundings. Such a great place for a getaway and reconnecting with nature.
Looking forward to more adventures from you! Have a great day.
Definitely so much to look at! Nature always amazes me, no matter how much time I get to spend outdoors.
Hoping to get the next post up soon!
Wow....beautiful sights and exciting moments!