Linville Gorge / ?

“Hey Yerby! I was down that way in May 06 with PhantomSoul and noticed alot of blow down ie,... trees in the area, what is the status of the trails now, iffin you know?
last edited: 12/23/06 6:41:38 PM”

“If the Doctor takes me out of the walking cast on the 11th, I will at least make the car camping part of this one.

Otherwise, it's pretty damn hard to get my feet down into the footbox of the sleeping bag with the cast on, so I won't be able to make it.”

“The blowndowns in Linville Gorge and the whole area are the result of pine-bark beetles, ice storms and fires during the last 10 years.”

“Hey Yerby--or anybody else in the know--I've never been to Linville. I presume this trip is gonna be on the Western side of the Gorge cause Yerby, you said this was fairly close to me? I'm lookin oline for directions. Any pointers at all are greatly appreciated. THANKS.”

“Chili, can't you get a rectangular bag? U carry my pack, I'll carry your sleeping bag :) lol.”

“UMMM Yerby, you said that Kistler Highway was accessible from any vehicle, the directions I got offline said that its a gravel surface road, very rough in places, and not recommended for 2-wheel drive vehicles????”

“One more question--Which county is this in? lol.”

“sweetpeastu / You can ride down with your Uncle Fridge.”

“The road along the western boundary of Linville Gorge Widerness Area (Kistler Memorial Highway, aka Old Highway 105) runs South from NC Highway 183 at the Linville Falls community about 10 or 12 miles more or less along a ridge line that is the boundary between Burke and McDowell Counties, NC with the Southerly 5 or so miles of this road descending from the ridgeline down to NC Highway 126 in Burke County.

The gorge is located East of the road almost fully in Burke County.

The Northerly 5 of 6 miles of this road is in pretty good shape even for 2-wheel drive vehicles except during snow and ice events.
last edited: 12/25/06 6:25:01 AM”

“I agree - I've driven down to the Pinch In trailhead in my Honda Civic - a bit rough in spots but nothing a real problem unless its ice/snow then forget it”

“My road-hugging Nissan made it along there.”

“THANKS to all! :)”

“Trees are down mainly due to the ice storm last December but the trails are open and passable.
It is located in Burke County adjacent to the Avery and McDowell County lines.
The road is accessable to any vehicle now. They have graded the lower portion (we wont go there) and heck I think the steeper sections have been paved.”

“Wassup guys? I've been gone for a few months come back to plan the 7th annual Linville Gorge trip and Bam! It's been taken over by somebody else! I'll be there! You saved me the trouble, thanks!”

“I wish I could make it - heading down to the Everglades the 12th and won't be back until the 28th. Will miss you all and will be missing the livermush treat as the reward. Want to make it out that way to do a section of the Mountain-to-Sea and will let you know when I do!”

“Glad to see you back. I didn't mean to step on your toes but I hated to see your traditional event fall to the wayside. I will gladly relinquish control and be your humble servent.

I am working on some venison dish for the Friday night feast as well as a few sides.”

“No need Yerby, everythings cool! I was looking at doing the other side this year though so maybe I'll do another trip for around March or April.”

“Ok, regardless of what the Doctor says, I will be there Friday night. I can always bring the larger tent and quilts if necessary.

I am jonesing to be out for a night in the woods, even if it is car camping. I might leave there and make another stop on Saturday somewhere in Western NC.”

“Chili iffin for no other reason you have to take a meal at Louises Famous Rockhouse near the entrance to the Kistler Memorial Highway.”

“Dang you guys!

I wanna see you all and Linville Gorge.

I also wanna go with the Boneheads to the Adirondacks the same weekend.

If you promise to do it again in March or April I will be there!”

“Yeah, the Rockhouse is awesome. Had lunch there with naked ape on the last Linville trip I was on.”

“Somewhere in WNC??? Grrr...of course I'll be in GA this weekend!”

“oh come on Marko, you've been haunting these southern trips since like Thanksgiving. Give it up already. I wanna meet the much talked aobut MARKO...POLLOOOO MARKOOOO POLLOOOOO! lol.”

“some directions would be nice”

“Oh”

“Well, I am considering going to SoRuck, so I might make this Friday night then go on down to NOC Saturday and camp out on the way back.”

“Marko you could do this one and the next one!”

“I maybe going on this one. it's close enough for me. Got to get back into this crap sooner or later.”

“i'm a strong maybe. spam, if i don't make this to bring you your stick, i'll mail it to you before. sorry i've been a slacker.”

“Spam I was so going to do an eastern side trip this year but I couln't think of anything decent except and out and back.

Table rock area is so much better this time of year when they lock the gate and "joe blow" can't drive up there and take the 2.5 kids and the LL Bean Safari wear and ask endless questions to you as you enjoy a view with a beer. That or the hippie college crowd who carries as much grass as they do water. Nothing like being woke up in your camp at 3am by some complete stranger wanting to know if I have any spare rolling paper.”

“gimme the hippie college kids over yuppie scum any day”

“how 'bout some Eddie Bauer gear....good stuffs for city folkses”

“Eddie Bean for me, y'all!

Gem?”

“Curious fact:

The property now called Linville Gorge was owned, back in the early 1930's, by a developer who envisioned a private theme park something like Chimney Rock Park, Grandfather Mountain Park or the former private Cane River Toll Road up to Mount Mitchell for the area.

Some people just don't appreciate the real thing (and some people feel wild areas are only worthy of fragmentation).

Unfortunately, many of the areas surrounding Linville Gorge are now having roads, driveways and houses placed just about any place possible considerably reducing the overall wildness of the Linville Gorge.

The USFS passed up an opportunity, in 1971, to purchase a 1,000 acre tract laying just west of the wilderness area in North Cove. The price would have only been $50,000. Now, single acres in that tract sell for $50k or more.
last edited: 12/29/06 6:10:14 AM”

“As recently as the early 1960's, Linville Gorge had very few visitors due to a limited trail network and the presence of a considerable number of aggressive wild boar (no longer there) but the fishing for small mouth bass, brown and rainbow trout was better than anywhere around here.

Traffic increased and by the early 1970's a permit sytem was imposed to limit the number of hikers and campers there.
last edited: 12/30/06 7:57:24 AM”

“I think I may pack in my fishing pole and see iffin we can have fresh trout for dinner Saturday night.

Smoky I wish you could come!We need the entertainment!

Baume66, you had better come you slacker!

Fridge, I hope after a year and a half you can play that harmonica again!

Yerby, we having beans Friday night?

Gem, come on ,you missed a great trip last year!”

“??? what no BBQ”

“Can't wait to see everyone, Come on along Gem, Good to hear from you Spam, I'll bring the Rare Breed.”

“Well, I found out last night that I had my weekends mixed up on picking up my daughter. I will have her on the weekend of this trip, so I guess I am out. Just as well, because I couldn't hike anyway.”

“Wassup LW ? That'll do just Fiiiiine!”

“I think we can find some BBQ as well as other culinary treats.”

“I can offer up my famous fried taters!”

“whats this bout food--we all bringing food? How manys goin...maybe I could bake something.”

“Good Eatin and Linville Gorge just go together so you bake whatever you will and bring it!!!”

“Friday night we will basically car camp so good eating is a must. Last year we had BBQ, Beans, Hotdogs, Beer, Slaw, Beer, Hush puppies, Wine, ohh yeah and some alcohol. Mind you it isnt a drunk fest, just some socializing with good friends and food. Since Teasa is an atypical Vegan (turkey and deer are allowable) I am going to do something with one of those two plus some sides.....and beer.
Spam:::: If I bring my flyrod and the tackle I have think you can show me the ropes on using it? I know nothing about fly fishing but eager to learn.”

“Yerby I'm not going to pack in a 9 foot fly rod but I am going to fly fish with a very light weight spinner combo and that way I will have more options to catch fish. The articles that I've read have given me some pretty good insight on January fishing in this area but our last couple of Jans haven't been exactly our typical Jans.I will have an extra rod iffin you would like to partake.”

“Wassup Fridge I see you took your name off the list and didn't even leave us an explanation.Is this not what you did last year? Is it because I'm going?LOL!”

“I'll be there Spam , If it rains are you going to bail? I took my name off due to the fact alot of women are looking for my body.
last edited: 1/06/07 10:59:20 AM”

“Your body shouldn't be too hard to find.....unless you've wasted away since I last saw you.

>8^)

I'm gonna have to see y'all another time.
the Adirondacks are calling me next weekend.”

“marko/ have you ever done a trip in the south ever? You are missing some really good stuff here. And are you going on the FYAO trip?
last edited: 1/06/07 12:04:54 PM”