The trip up to the trail head was made for the Jeep. We left I40 at the Waterville exit and drove past the white water rafting drop zone towards the entrance to Big Creek. We made the left onto NC 284 and headed up the mountain on the gravel road. There were places I was glad we did not meet oncoming traffic, other sections made me appreciate my Wrangler. We wound our way along keeping our eye out for the trail head enjoying each other’s company, catching up on life’s details and talking about all the things we would like to do.
The Trailhead is located at Mt Sterling Gap. There was one car at the pull off and it looked like there was room for several more vehicles. We parked and as we unloaded another car pulled in. We spoke to our fellow hikers and headed out.
The trail is steep and challenging. It is a wide well defined trail. We began our ascent at what I thought was a decent clip. I am not a fast hiker so what I think is a decent clip is really not that fast. It was hot, it didn’t take long to break a sweat. This trail is all business. It climbs the mountain to the crest where the Fire Tower waits promising fantastic panoramic views. It rises and you climb. It is relentless, it is steep and the footing can get problematic due to rocks and roots in places. It is beautiful.
At one point, sucking serious wind, gulping Gatorade I looked over at my athletic 26 yr old son and noticed to my dismay he wasn’t really breaking much of a sweat. I asked him if he was feeling the challenge of the climb at all, he smiled and shrugged.
Our fellow hikers caught up to us and we chatted a few. The heat and humidity added to the challenge of the hike. I could feel it in my legs, my stamina letting me know where I am physically. I need the challenge of the climb. I need these mountains si I can reset internally. I looked at trees and foliage and I breathed in the mountain air and I climbed thanking God for my health, for my son, for the beauty of the day.
We finally topped out and walked some level trail towards the Fire Tower. Shane climbed the tower and took some great pictures. I am not too good with heights and the rickety look of the tower put me off the challenge. I checked out campsite 38 at the base of the tower while my adventurous son climbed up and down the tower. There were folks already at the tower. We had passed one group of backpackers descending as we ascended the trail. There are other ways to the tower. Baxter Creek from Big Creek is another trail that is fairly popular access to the Tower.
We hiked back to the Jeep the loose rock in the trail threatening ankles and balance on the descent. I used my walking stick several times to stabilize my footing.
This trail is the most direct route to Mt Sterling Fire Tower and is fairly popular for that fact. It was a great day for a hike and we took full advantage of it.
MrsSmithsLifeUnexpected 