Hiking to Looking Glass Rock

 S.C. man dies in 400-foot fall from Looking Glass Rock

click headline to read

Unfortunately, during the month of August there have been three horrible accidents at idyllic outdoor destinations in Western North Carolina, two of which resulted in fatalities.  I have already mentioned Elk River Falls, where a young lady died; then there was a serious "tumble" at Catawba Falls; and now this tragedy.  I've hiked up to Looking Glass Rock a couple of times, and I'm planning to return in the Fall, hopefully with Kade.  My mindset when I go out:  Do not take chances!  There's no photo, no vantage point point, and no experience of any kind that can replace human life.  And going the safe route alone requires vigilance, planning, proper gear and good ole' common sense. 

Decided to repost about my experiences at Looking Glass Rock.  Enjoy!

6.5 miles, 1649 ft. elevation gain, 1.5 hour hike to the top

 source

photos by Mark Schmidt

 Mission Accomplished!
 

Here's my video of the hike.  Includes footage of two snakes, plus some howling that might have been coyotes.  The black snake is seen in the first part of the video.  At the 3:45 mark, we walk out onto the rock.

 To show a contrast, a view from Fall (2013).  Click here for my video.  Includes footage of a prized white squirrel, the town mascot of Brevard, NC.

More about Looking Glass Rock here.

“How to get the best of it all? One must conquer, achieve, get to the top; one must know the end to be convinced that one can win the end - to know there's no dream that mustn't be dared. . . Is this the summit, crowning the day? How cool and quiet! We're not exultant; but delighted, joyful; soberly astonished. . . Have we vanquished an enemy? None but ourselves. Have we gained success? That word means nothing here. Have we won a kingdom? No. . . and yes. We have achieved an ultimate satisfaction. . . fulfilled a destiny. . . To struggle and to understand - never this last without the other; such is the law. . .”
― George Mallory, Climbing Everest: The Complete Writings of George Mallory

originally posted on 5/28/14