The Great OutdoorsIn 2005, Boone was recognized by travel journalists as the ultimate outdoor adventure destination in the Southeast, even in North America. Along with Durango, Colorado, Bend, Oregon and North Vancouver, British Columbia, Boone, North Carolina was selected as one of four multi-sport vacation destinations in North America, featured in an article in the May 2005 issue of Adventure Sports Magazine. Headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, the magazine editors and author Scott Schumaker generously share Boone with their readers, displaying local photographer Todd Bush’s lush, colorful photos of activities such as bouldering, mountain biking, hiking, and kayaking. A spectacular view of the Linville Gorge rounds out the selection of Bush photos. Schumaker praises Boone as a “hallowed gem of outdoor adventure” and says there are dozens of opportunities for adventures and “seemingly endless” trails for hiking, running and biking. Backpacking and camping in the area are not to be missed, he says. Into mountain biking? The 200 miles of trails in the Pisgah National Forest just south of Boone are a mountain biking “wonderland,” according to Schumaker, who recommends Yancey’s Ridge, a 14-mile loop near Linville. Within the town limits of Boone, trails endorsed by the author include the trails, such as the Greenway Trail, on the wooded preserve owned by Appalachian State University, as well as the section of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail which runs right through town on its 900-plus-mile jaunt across the state of North Carolina. With “hundreds of miles” of byways and trails “and some of the highest peaks in the East…Boone has a little something for everyone,” the national magazine reports. We wholeheartedly agree!
In the April 2005 edition of Blue Ridge Outdoors magazine, writer and bicyclist, Graham Averill, lauded the Blue Ridge Parkway as one of his “Top Cycling Tours in the Southeast.” Citing its “plush pavement” and “gorgeous views,” he acknowledges that the East’s highest mountain ranges along the national byway are a mecca for enthusiasts of bicycle touring. The 469 miles of the Parkway, as toured from the Shenandoah National Park to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, convince the hundreds of cyclists who pedal those miles every year that they are “the quintessential bike tour in the region.” And, you don’t have to ride the whole thing, he points out. Try out one of the many short out-and-back trips 50 miles or less in length. “If you want to experience the best of the best,” writes Averill, “ride south from Blowing Rock, N.C. at mile marker 294 to Little Switzerland at mile marker 334. It’s a 41-mile ride (83 out and back) that’s easy to break up into a multi-day trip by camping at Linville Falls at mile marker 316. You’ll climb 4,000 feet between the two towns and be rewarded with some screaming downhills and panoramic delights like Grandfather Mountain and Wilson Creek Valley. This stretch is often considered the most awe inspiring along the Parkway and is cherished by cyclists who make the through-bike.” To hungry cyclists, he also recommends capping it off at Woodlands Barbecue, for “a large plate of pig.” It’s nice to hear it again and again – out of 469 miles of pristine natural beauty, out of four major adventure destinations on the continent, the best of the best is right here in our own back yard.
Wading knee deep in a cool mountain stream while pursuing trout and small-mouth bass is one of the most refreshing ways to experience summer in the High Country. Beautiful crystal clear mountain lakes are also available for those perferring still water. Regardless of your fishing interest or skill level, our area offers an abundance of different angling opportunities.
If wiley mountain trout are your quarry, there are 4,200 miles of streams to choose from. With a few exceptions, streams are medium to small in size and contain brown, brook, and rainbow trout. The elusive stream-born fish rarely exceed 12 inches while hatchery-reared fish can reach 12 pounds. The majority of our streams are managed by the Norht Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission as either wild or hatchery supported water. These classifications are further divided into sub-categories ranging from fly-fishing "catch and release" water to "catch and keep" bait fishing water.
There are 5 different types of stream classifications with different regulations on each. Check with a local fishing store or licensing agency before heading out because regulations are strictly enforced. You can also call the NCWRC 919-662-4381 or go online www.ncwildlife.org to receive regulations, season dates, maps, and order licenses.
Fishing licenses are required for anyone who is 16 years of age or older. An additional trout stamp is required on designated trout waters. Temporary, 1-year and lifetime licenses are available. Most fishing shops and department stores that carry fishing gear sell fishing licenses.
Another option for those interested in fishing broad western size rivers for longer wild trout is a short 1 hour drive into Tennessee. The Watauga and S. Holston are top-rated rivers in the U.S. These streams are large enough to handle canoes and drift boats. The Tennessee Wildlife Resource Commission handles the regulations on these waters and a TN license is required. For more information call 800-332-0900. If you decide to venture to the Watauga or S. Holston, it is best to go with someone who knows the dam release schedule. Both rivers became dangerous to wade fisherman when the T.V.A. daily releases water to produce electricty.
The Blue Ridge Parkway near Blowing Rock features several small lakes that have a variety of fish icluding trout, bass, and pan fish. Price Lake allows non-motorized boat traffic while Sims Pond, Bass Lake and Trout Lake allow bank fishing only. A NC or VA license without a trout stamp is valid for these bodies of water. For more information call the Blue Ridge Parkway at 828-271-4779.
Small mouth bass fishing is popular on the New, Toe, and Nolichucky rivers. There is also a slim chance that you may catch a giant muskie. Although wade fishing is possible, these large rivers are better suited fo canoe or raft fishing. A regular state fishing license is all that is required.
Considering all the possibilities, a half day or full day guided fishing trip is a logical option. Some areas fish better than others at different times of the year and local knowledge is vital to success. Local guides can also unravel the maze of regulations and help you gain access to private water where the trout are as large as Christmas hams.
So grab your waders and rod and head for an exciting afternoon on our pristine waters. You may even notice that the excellent fishing is secondary to the scenery. After all trout don't live in ugly places. Boone Area Promotes the Sporting Life
Four of the best ski resorts in the Southeast are in the immediate vicinity of Boone. All offer night skiing and instruction. For ski packages and group rates, contact the individual properties.
Appalachian Ski Mountain This is “the place where family fun is down hill fun.” 4,000-foot peak elevation. Skiing and snowboarding. Nine slopes, three chair lifts, two surface lifts, a vertical drop of 364 feet and an outdoor ice skating arena. Home to the French-Swiss Ski College.
Ski Beech Ski Beech in Beech Mountain is the highest ski area in the east. 5,506-foot peak elevation. 15 slopes, seven chair lifts, three surface lifts, a vertical drop of 830 feet. Snowboarding and tubing runs. Outdoor ice skating rink. Ski School on site.
P.O. Box 369, Banner Elk, NC 28604 www.skisugar.com Sugar Mountain strives to “provide the finest winter sports experience available in the Southeast.” 5,300-foot peak elevation. 20 slopes and trails spread over 115 skiable acres with five chair lifts, three surface lifts; vertical drop of 1,200 feet and run of 1.5 miles. Snowboarding and tubing available. Professional ski instruction.
Hawksnest Ski Resort Hawksnest has the longest tubing run in the South and 12 slopes for skiing and snowboarding. 4,819-foot peak elevation with vertical drop of 619 feet. Golden Hawk Ski & Snowboard School. Golf Clubs and Resorts The Boone area has been described as a golfer’s paradise, with all the challenges you need to build up your handicap. In addition to the public golf courses and clubs noted below, the Boone area also features several private, gated communities with some of North Carolina’s top-rated courses.
Boone Development, Inc. (828) 264-8760 - P.O. Box 1833, Boone, NC 28607 (Fairway Drive, off US 321 South) www.boonegolfclub.com This premier 18-hole championship course plays to par 71. Designed by architect Ellis Maples, Boone Golf Club has a yardage of 5,859 from the white tees. The course borders on both the East Fork and the Middle Fork of the historic New River.
Hawksnest Golf Club This picturesque 18-hole golf course is famous for its 50-mile scenic views. 5,953 yards from white tees. Number 2 is the Asignature hole, a 210-yard, par 3 with an elevation drop of 125 feet.
Jefferson Landing on the New River A supreme challenge for golfers of any skill level, this 18-hole, par 72 championship course was designed by two-time PGA champ Larry Nelson. The 17-room Lodge overlooks the 10th fairway, and the Manor House is luxuriously comfortable, featuring seven bedrooms.
Mountainaire Golf Course For that perfect outing, come enjoy a beautiful 18-hole public golf course with spectacular views and reasonable rates. A true mountain course.
Red Tail Mountain Golf An 18-hole course that requires challenging golf shots and yields spectacular views. 6,078 yards from white tees. Designed by Ellis and Dan Maples, Red Tail is only a short drive from Boone. The area takes its name from Daniel Boone’s old roan colored horse that recuperated here.
(828) 963-6865 354 Bairds Creek Road - Vilas, P.O. Box 1782, Boone, NC 28607 www.willowvalley-resort.com This challenging 9-hole executive, par 3 course is 2,702 yards from white tees. Tennis
Deer Valley Racquet Club A private multi-sport club and fitness center with four outdoor clay tennis courts, six outdoor hard courts and three indoor courts, racquetball, indoor and outdoor heated swimming pools, gymnasium, Nautilus and free weights, cardiovascular room, steam room, sauna and more. Watauga County Parks & Recreation The Watauga County Parks & Recreation Department offers a year-round calendar of public recreational programs available to persons of all ages and ability levels. Facilities include both indoor and outdoor swimming pools, athletic courts and fields of all descriptions, the community’s two-mile Greenway Pedestrian/Biking Trail and several public parks. Get Out and About
Just off the Blue Ridge Parkway is the Linville Gorge Wilderness Area, located just south of Crossnore and Pineola, in Burke County. The Cherokee called the place “Eseeoh,” meaning a river of many cliffs. Hiking and backpacking enthusiasts have reportedly called it the Grand Canyon of the East. Linville Gorge is made up of 10,975 acres of protected wilderness that lie beneath Jonas Ridge on the east and Linville Mountain on the west. The Linville River divides the two sides and drops 2,000 feet into the valleys below. Contained in the Pisgah National Forest, the area is under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Forest Service and available for anyone to enjoy. If you enter the Linville Gorge Wilderness Area, please be an advocate for “Leave No Trace” hiking and camping. Pack out what you pack in, replace and scatter twigs, branches and leaves that may have been removed for sleeping areas and pick up any traces of litter that you may find along the way. “Leave no evidence of your visit so the next person can enjoy a natural scene. Tread lightly so nature can endure and replenish.”
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