Multi-Sport Meccas Two Hours from Anywhere

UWHARRIE

NATIONAL

FOREST

The Uwharrie receives the least attention of all North Carolina National Forests, which is strange considering it’s less than two hours from the population core of the state. The entire forest is only 50,189 acres-the smallest in the state-but don’t let the forest’s size dissuade you. The adventure to be had in the Uwharrie is big and varied, from backcountry canoeing to mind blowing singletrack. Uwharrie is located in the center of North Carolina-81 miles from Winston Salem, 60 miles from Charlotte, 80 miles from Chapel Hill, and 169 miles from Greenville.

BEST BETS

Hiking: The Birkhead Mountain Wilderness area is an outdoor oasis within an oasis. The 5,160 acres of uber-protected land in the northern section of the forest are a hiker’s dream. The wilderness encompasses the oldest mountains in North America and evidence of Native Americans living in the area as early as 12,000 years ago has been discovered within its borders. More recently, the land was owned by the Birkhead Family, who operated a tenant farm in the late 1800s. The Birkhead Mountain Trail runs 4.5 miles through the heart of the wilderness, taking hikers past abandoned farm houses, cemeteries, and the ruins of the Birkhead Plantation. If you’re looking for a longer backpacking excursion, the Uwharrie National Recreation Trail is a moderate 20-mile hike taking you over Dennis Mountain and Dark Mountain with several stream crossings in between. Two backcountry campsites are situated along the way if you want to cover the whole 20 miles, or you can hook up with the Dutchman’s Creek Trail for a shorter, 10-mile loop over similar terrain.Mountain Biking: The Wood Run Mountain Bike Trail System is a fast paced rolling collection of singletrack, doubletrack, and jeep roads. The heart of the system is the 11-mile Wood Run Road, which provides idiot proof access to the two main single track loops: Supertree and Keyauwee. Ride the 4-mile Supertree Trail (named for an experimental stand of Loblolly Pines) clockwise to get the most of the downhill single track, saving the climbs for the gravel road section of the trail. Portions of the trail pass through natural canopies, providing a tunnel effect with hidden turns and surprise gullies. Cross Wood Run Road to connect to the 5-mile Keyauwee (named after a Native American tribe that used to call the area home) for more single track and some of the best views in the entire forest. Paddling: The Uwharrie River isn’t a rager, but it’s one of the most scenic rivers in the Tarheel State. The rocky, class II river winds through the Uwharrie Mountains between high, rocky bluffs and lush, remote forests-perfect for that backcountry canoe trip you’ve been wanting to take. Native Americans used to paddle this river in hand-carved canoes. Feel free to reenact their trips in one of the lighter, more maneuverable plastic canoes available today. Put in at Hwy 49 south of Asheboro and take a two-day trip down the river, pulling out at Morrow Mountain State Park. There are plenty of primitive campsites along the way. Or put in at Hwy 109 for a one-day paddle to Morrow Mountain State Park. Camping: You have your choice of primitive backcountry spots or more developed campgrounds. Consider Wood Run Camp, which is off of Wood Run Road where Supertree and Keyauwee intersect. It’s also close to the Uwharrie National Recreation Trail.

TALLULAH

GORGE

STATE PARK

In the 1800s, people traveled from all over the Eastern seaboard to visit Tallulah Gorge’s two-mile long, 1,000-foot deep canyon, referring to its series of five waterfalls as the “Niagara of the South.” During its heyday, the town of Tallulah Falls, situated on the gorge’s rim in North Georgia, had 17 hotels and countless bars, accommodating thousands of visitors each day. Of course, that all changed when Georgia Power purchased rights to the land and dammed up the river in the 1900s, reducing the massive waterfalls to a trickle.The gorge was all but forgotten until the ‘90s when a lobby of paddlers convinced Georgia Power to release the dam at regular intervals. At the same time, Georgia designated the canyon a State Park, and all of a sudden, Tallulah Gorge was back on the map. Within the park’s 2,689 acres, you can do just about anything you want. Rock climbers cling to the north wall of the gorge for challenging granite routes while mountain bikers enjoy the park’s relatively flat terrain and one of a kind views. For those that prefer traveling by foot, hike around the gorge’s rim, or take a seriously steep descent to the bottom for some rock hopping in the river. Tallulah Falls is located in the northeastern corner of Georgia-96 miles from Atlanta, 88 miles from Greenville, and 102 miles from Asheville.

BEST BETS

Hiking: The park has six trails offering a total of 20 miles of hiking. You can stick to level ground and explore the rim, but for a true canyon experience, head down the Sliding Rock Trail, which drops 1,000 feet to the river over a quarter of a mile. It’s a steep 45-degree descent with some rock scrambling and a whole lot of trying not to look down. Along the way, check out the Persistent Trillium Wildflower-a small, white-pedaled flower that only grows in the Tallulah Gorge. When you hit the river, slide down the 16-foot Bridal Veil Falls and swim in the pool at the bottom, then rock hop and wade one mile upriver to Hurricane Falls and take Hurricane Falls Trail back up to the rim. Mountain Biking: Many of the park’s trails are open for mountain biking, and most offer dramatic views of the gorge. For an extra treat, pedal Stoneplace Trail, a 9-mile out and back route with portions hugging the rim of the gorge. The trail ends at Tugaloo Lake, which is perfect for a mid-workout swim or picnic.Paddling: Now that the power company releases the dam regularly, there’s excellent whitewater paddling the first two weekends of April, and first three weekends of November. But this river ain’t for everyone. The Tallulah River averages a 600-foot drop and features five major waterfalls between 15 and 100 feet within the two-mile gorge. The class V+ river features big drops, tight chutes, play spots, and kickin scenery and it wasn’t successfully paddled until 1997. For those with more common sense than balls, try paddling Tallulah Falls Lake, just above the dam. The manmade lake is glassy calm and surrounded by a pine forest. Camping: You could go with the developed Terrora Campground, but you’d have to contend with the noise of highway traffic and the sight of RVs with satellite dishes. Instead, try one of the primitive spots along Stoneplace Trail-just be sure to get a permit first.

SUMTER

NATIONAL

FOREST

Many consider the Sumter National Forest to be the last “undiscovered” territory in the region. The Chattooga River, which winds its way along the western border of the forest, attracts paddlers of all skill levels, but hikers and mountain bikers usually opt for the nearby Nantahala National Forest. Sucks for them, because Sumter’s 360,115 acres has a little bit of everything for everyone. It’s located in the western corner of South Carolina-104 miles from Asheville, 130 miles from Atlanta, 160 miles from Charlotte, and 65 miles from Greenville.

BEST BETS

Hiking: The Chattooga River Trail runs along the Chattooga River for 15.5 miles, offering hikers a perfectly dry vantage point to witness the river’s majesty and carnage. It’s a primitive trail (read: tough as hell) that connects the Chattahoochee National Forest with the Nantahala National Forest. But you’d be remiss if you didn’t step foot on the Foothills National Recreation Trail. A nice chunk of the 100-mile foot path runs through the Sumter, including a 10-mile out and back from Sassafras Mountain to Pinnacle Mountain. It’s an isolated hike with impressive views, lots of elevation change, and the chance to see some Native American hieroglyphics. Mountain Biking: Sumter caters to the epic mountain biker with a handful of trails over 20 miles in length. Check out the Buncombe Horse Trail, 28 miles of mostly double track that winds through a series of hills and valleys in the Enoree Ranger District. If you’re not in for the long hall, there are a variety of loops available, depending on your mileage preference, some of which take you through old plantation sites. There is also the Turkey Stevens Trail in the Long Cane District. This remote path follows several creeks and is generally flat along its 20-mile stretch. You’ll occasionally climb to the top of a ridge, but you’ll be rewarded with panoramic candy. Paddling: The Chattooga River is one of the last free flowing rivers in the country. No dams, no releases, just natural, unadulterated white-knuckle fun. The river is split into three main sections, each catering to a different level of paddler. Newbies should stick to section II, an 8-mile scenic float trip with calm water and one class II rapid. Section III is 14 miles long and offers a mix of mostly class II-III rapids. Section IV is the hairy stuff. It’s 7 miles of class IV-V water with one class V+-experts only please. Camping: Whetstone Horse Camp is a developed campsite located a couple of miles from the Chattooga inside the Andrew Pickens Ranger District. It’s a favorite of paddlers, but it attracts an eclectic crowd including equestrians, as evidenced by the sites accompanied by horse stalls.

PRENTICE

COOPER

STATE FOREST

Prentice Cooper is no secret to the outdoor community in southeastern Tennessee. It’s proximity to Chattanooga and Atlanta, coupled with the bevy of activities available in the 24,000-acre forest, has made the area a hot spot. Climbers flock to the walls of the Tennessee Valley Gorge, mountain bikers slog up Signal Mountain, and hikers are drawn to the large chunk of the Cumberland Trail running through the forest’s borders. The only downside to the forest is that it’s periodically closed for hunting season during the spring and fall. Prentice Cooper is located along the Tennessee River Gorge in southeastern Tennessee-10 miles from Chattanooga, 120 miles from Atlanta, 110 miles from Knoxville, and 130 miles from Nashville.

BEST BETS

Hiking: Prentice Cooper is known for its buffet of loop hikes, which make planning the logistics a breeze. Check out Mullen’s Creek Loop Trail, which starts at Snooper’s Rock. It’s a 10-mile hike, much of which will take you along the rim of the Tennessee River Gorge. And then there’s the Cumberland Trail, 34 miles of which lies within Prentice Cooper and offers some of the best gorge overlooks in the area. Climbing: It doesn’t get any better than the Tennessee Wall, a line of sandstone cliffs inside the Tennessee River Gorge. The sandstone rock was created when the Tennessee River cut through the Cumberland Plateau millions of years ago. Climbers today are happy to reap the benefits of the river’s hard work. Most climbs are 100 feet or less, perfect for top roping and the sharply angled faces of sandstone create dream cracks, corners, and roofs. Check out Jay Walker, a 5.7 route, or for something tougher, Come and Get It, a 5.11 route. Mountain Biking: There are 60 miles of ride-able trails within the forest, mostly a combination of jeep roads and single track with plenty of climbs, downhills, and technical candy. Oh, and the views. Don’t forget the views. Check out Edwards Point, a combo of singletrack, doubletrack, and jeep roads on Signal Mountain. It’s 10 miles all together with a postcard view overlooking the Gorge. Caving: More than 7,000 caves are scattered throughout the greater Chattanooga area, beckoning those that crave tight spaces and no natural light. The caves were formed when rainwater mixed with the carbon dioxide in the soil, dissolving holes in the limestone over the course of several thousand years. For a primer on the finer points of caving, check out Raccoon Mountain Crystal Caves. The company offers a small, guided tour through 5.5 miles of interlocking chambers, canyons, tunnels, and streams. It’s one of the most challenging guided cave tours you can take in this country, complete with belly crawls, rock scrambling, slides, and bats. Lots of bats. You pick the length of the tour, from two hours to an overnight excursion. Call 423-821-9403 or check out www.raccoonmountain.com. Camping: Take your pick from two official campsites, Hunter’s Checking Station and Davis Pond, and share a campfire with a climber, mountain biker, and hiker. Or head for one of the many backcountry spots for some solitude. •