Waterrock Knob & Devil's Courthouse

“What are men to rocks and mountains?”
― Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice

 

Yesterday I went hiking at Waterrock Knob and Devil's Courthouse. Only about 2.5 miles of walking, but the steep elevation, heavy fog, wind gusts and cold temp made it pretty tough.  Then, on the Parkway drive back to Asheville, the lower the elevation, the warmer it got and the visibility improved dramatically.  Like you were in Pennsylvania one minute, and then in South Carolina.  And as we descended, the leaves just got more and more spectacular.  Enjoying them while I can!

 

Atop Waterrock Knob 

6,296 feet

 

Waterrock Knob is a must-stop along the Blue Ridge Parkway.  Located at Milepost 451.2 (just 18 miles from the end of the Parkway), it features the last hiking trail along the Parkway as you travel toward the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  This peak (6,292 feet) is the 16th highest mountain in the Eastern United States - and the 15th highest of the 40 mountains in North Carolina over 6,000 feet. - Source

Atop Devil's Courthouse

Kade and I first hiked up to Devil's Courthouse in April '12.  Here's that video.

 

The Devil's Courthouse, just off the Blue Ridge Parkway, presides over some of the most spectacular views in the Blue Ridge Mountains. From the top of Devil's Courthouse at 5,720 feet, visitors can see into South Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee in a 360-degree panorama.  Devil's Courthouse may have received its name because of the sinister aspect of the rock formation, or because, as legend holds, the devil held court in the cave that lies beneath the rock. In Cherokee lore, this cave is the private dancing chamber and dwelling place of the slant-eyed giant, Judaculla.  - SOURCE

 

 And some shots along the Parkway.

 

 

Three videos I made: