DESTINATION Chimney Rock East Route - IPNF 1 Photoset
2024-10-14 | |
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| Hiking | 10.69 Miles |
2,864 AEG |
| | Hiking | 10.69 Miles | 6 Hrs 19 Mns | | 1.78 mph |
| 2,864 ft AEG | 18 Mns Break | | | |
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| no linked trail guides |
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| no partners | | Squeezed this hike in on probably the last day of good weather before I leave at the end of the week. Got to the trailhead around 0830. Temps around 40 to start, but no breeze, so it was comfortable.
The first couple of miles were easy. Too easy. I knew this meant all of the elevation gain was going to be compressed in the back half of the hike.
Kept strolling uphill, enjoying the views and fall color. One short section of overgrown trail, no big deal. Crossed a couple of creeks, not too much water.
Started getting steeper and rockier around three miles. Kept going uphill. The trail gave way to fields of granite. Fun to walk on. Views were getting better. Could finally see Chimney Rock.
Trail gave way to granite boulders, which slowed the pace. One guy passed me (the only person I saw all day), he had done this hike many times and gave me some helpful info. He was headed a different direction, so I only saw him for a few minutes.
Crossing the first boulder field took some work. Lots of holes underneath the boulders forced me to be careful. I was happy to get across that. Once entering the basin below Chimney Rock, there’s another, larger, boulder field. Less holes to fall into. Loose boulders made for some careful movement. Time consuming, but not overly difficult. Once above that field, I breathed a sigh of relief and headed up to the saddle to the right (north) of Chimney Rock. Beautiful views. I found the trail that leads around the rock on the north and west side and curves up to the higher south saddle. Looks tedious. Wasn’t in my plan for today, but nice to see it for future hikes.
After a break at the north saddle, I headed back down into the basin. Went a little farther south for a view of Chimney Rock from another angle. After that, I made my way back down through the boulder fields. It seemed like I took better routes on the descent, but going downhill probably helped that opinion.
After that, it was a pretty straightforward hike back to the trailhead. I really liked this hike and will hopefully be back next year, with an earlier start to maybe have time to get around Chimney Rock and up to Mt Roothaan. I should have a partner for that, since it’s probably not smart to do solo, but we’ll see. I’d also like to start from the west trailhead and access both Roothaan and Chimney from that side, but I think I want my jeep for that road and not my truck. |
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Autumn Foliage Observation Substantial
Probably around peak, lots of color. |
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| Stop crying and just go do the hike. |
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