Nov 19 - Old Hwy NC105

I'm proposing a trail ride for Saturday NOV 19th to explore old NC Hwy 105 from Lake James north to Linville Falls. As ALWAYS, friends, family, wives and girlfriends are always welcome. The more the merrier!!

Rally point: Lake James State Park - Paddy Creek Area - Beach/Lake main parking area. (near the big pavilion)
Rally time: 10:30 - 11:00am (departure not before 11:00am)
Way-points: Wise Man's View; Linville falls
Trail terminus: Linville Falls (the waterfall area)
Ride Time: est 1.5-2hr (around 20 miles)

Trail details: old NC 105 (Kistler Memorial Hwy) state maintained dirt road with some steep climbs, blind corners, washboards and possible mud/water holes. Expect other off-road traffic including dirt bikes, mountain bikes, etc. No rock crawls reported. Some unmarked forest roads intersect 105, be aware to stay on the main road. Will use 4H most of the ride. If trail is dry expect high dust conditions.

Notes: I've never been here but based on my internet research it looks like a fun ride with trail rewards at wise man's view. The view of Linville gorge is supposed to rival that of the grand canyon. In fact linville gorge is called the grand canyon of the east. We will see. I recommend everyone grab some breakfast along the drive up to lake james and we can snack on the trail ride, or depending on how everyone feels and is provisioned, we could have a trail lunch (picnic) at Linville Falls. Up to the group to decide that one. Or there is the option to have lunch in Linville Falls at the restaurant there.

*** OPTIONAL FUN ***
Depending on how tired we are, there is an opportunity for us to continue the fun into the afternoon by either a trip back down to I-40 on old 105, or visit Linville caverns, or for the more adventurous try to explore Table Rock road on the east side of the gorge down to intersect 181.

Who's IN??

https://youtu.be/DFEjecjioD4

I found this video which describes the drive and hike up to Table Rock mountain. Table Rock is on the east side (opposite from 105) of linville gorge. We should be able to see Table Rock from Wiseman's View.

Now I really want to hike up Table Rock mountain after visiting Linville falls on hwy 105.

Directions to Lake James state park

Directions



Lake James State Park is located in Burke and McDowell counties, five miles northeast of Marion on NC 126.To get to the Paddy's Creek Area of Lake James State Park:
Traveling
east on I-40: From I-40, take the Nebo/Lake James exit (exit 90) and
head north. After a half mile, turn right onto Harmony Grove Road, and
follow it for 2 miles to a stoplight. Proceed straight across the
intersection and past Nebo Elementary School to a stop sign. Turn right
onto NC 126, and follow the signs to the park entrance 4.8 miles on the
right.
Traveling west on I-40: From I-40, take the
Dysartsville/Lake James exit (exit 94) and head north for 0.5 mile to a
stop sign. Turn left onto US 70 and follow it for 1.5 miles. Turn right
onto Bridgewater Road and travel 1.2 miles. Turn left onto Benfield's
Landing Road, and follow it for 2 miles to a stop sign. Turn right onto
NC 126, and follow the signs to the park entrance 0.7 miles on the
right.

Great find!!! With short notice, I have plans......BUT, I would love to check this out!

To everyone that reads this thread, keep this in mind as this looks like a good area for a group meet....thoughts? Maybe those of us to the east could make it a weekend event (along with those that are closer of course!!!)

Again, GREAT find Yuri!!!

Sounds like a good drive & alot of fun. We really like the Linville Gorge area, but unfortunately my wife & I both work Saturdays.

Adrienne and I almost did this on our way to the Linville Gorge a few weeks ago. I am game, but am booked until December. I also want to make one more trip to Uwharrie.

I have done this run many times........beatutiful area.

I will be at URE that weekend though.

I'm still planning on doing this trip Saturday. Anyone else interested in joining in? Going up old 105 from lake james to linville falls for lunch. Then back down via the east side of the gorge to explore table rock and the chimneys trails.

I aint skeered to go alone but would love some company.

I would love to go but it's not going to happen for me

Man that place looks cool, Im off Saturday but will have to check the schedule. Not sure if I will be able to work this one out but I would love to do this trail one day.

Yuri how long will it take you to get there from China Grove?

I am thinking it will take 2 hours to get to the rally point in the morning, from China Grove. Its an hour from here to Hickory.

So who all you got going with you? Anyone?

I'm working this Saturday, otherwise I would be there.

I think it would be great to set up a meet there in the future.

Yuri if your still up for it its a go for us. Im in kannapolis so we could meet up and head that way if you want?

Yeah I'm definitely going on the trip. Not sure who else is coming. Don't sound like anyone else is interested though. It will probably just be us two. (bringing my wife and daughter with me) Weather should be nice, a little cool but clear.

I'm planning on leaving China Grove at 8:30 after breakfast at Porky's BBQ.
You can either meet us there for breakfast or we could meet up somewhere else along the way.

Is anyone else coming along this Saturday?

I think my fiance and possibly a friend of mine are coming with me. Yeah Im sure we can meet at porkys, Cant wait!!

If its just us, we can adjust the departure time if needed. Is 8:30 too early? We could push it back to 9:30 if its just a small group leaving from China Grove. I'm getting really excited about this ride. I have high expectations for seeing some really cool stuff!

Is there anyone else wanting to go along or that might possibly want to meet up at the original rally point, Lake James State Park??

BTW, Porkys only takes cash as of NOV 1st. They set up an ATM by the cashiers desk.

Me too man i couldnt pass this one up! No me and Ashley (my fiance) will be at porkys around 0730 or 0745.



Once again cant wait!

Sounds good! See yall there. I'm driving a white FJ. My cell 704-791-0529.
We'll be at Porkys around 7:45 (ish).

FJerYuri wrote:

Sounds good! See yall there. I'm driving a white FJ. My cell 704-791-0529.
We'll be at Porkys around 7:45 (ish).

FJerYuri - just wanted to say thanks for posting this and following up!!! I wish I could make it.... Keep up the great work!

Again, thanks!

David

My pleasure David. I'll just consider this a recon and that way we can take a larger group next year and I'll be know better what to expect.

FJerYuri wrote:

My pleasure David. I'll just consider this a recon and that way we can take a larger group next year and I'll be know better what to expect.

Awesome! Thanks again!!

Trip Report:
NCorn and FJerYuri and passengers completed the Old Hwy 105 trip from Lake James to Linville Falls today. We had some detours on the way when we encountered a parked train which blocked our primary road from I-40 up to Lake James. We took Hwy 70 back to Morganton where we pulled in for fuel and groceries at the local INGLES store. (BTW, I want an Ingles like that in China Grove. Excellent beer selection)

We scouted an alternate route around the train via Hwy 126 out of Morganton, which it turned out led us straight to our starting point on Old Hwy 105. As expected Hwy 105 is a good quality dirt road (1.5 lanes wide) that traces along the top of the western ridge line of the Linville Gorge. Thanks to the recent rains, the road produced little dust. The road proceeds steeply uphill going south to north with occasional switchbacks. Recent forest fires have thinned out the trees along the road and as a result, the views of the gorge to the east and the valleys to the west are extraordinary! Several spots were noted to be worth stopping for pictures and admiring the sweeping views. Top speeds were around 20-25 mph with frequent spots of 10-15 mph blind corners and blind hill tops.
Similar to the Uwharrie NF there are frequent campsites along the road. Most of these sites have commanding views of the valleys and mountains. About 1/4 of the campsites I saw were occupied. With the denuded trees on each side of the road, the undergrowth has thickened and what was once hikeable forest floor is not bushes and vines in places where fires have occurred. Where there have not been fires, the forest is mature and beautiful.
The road is maintained but no rangers or other officials were seen on this trip. Several trail heads are marked on the road leading down into the gorge, a few with parking areas. Its worth pointing out that there were no toilets along the road except at the Wiseman's View overlook area.
Near the northern terminus of Hwy 105 is the WiseMan's View overlook area. I am not speaking in excess when I say that this spot should be on everyone's bucket list of places to see in North Carolina. A short tangent road leads east from 105 to a well maintained parking area with a sign post board, and pit toilet. The toilet was not clean and thats all i'll say about that. From the parking lot, visitors proceed along a paved (ADA accessible) path through the trees about 50 yards downhill to the overlook area. As you break out from the treeline you are rewarded with a stadium view of the Linville Gorge. The Grand Canyon of North Carolina indeed. One's mind and sense of distance and perspective are defeated in any attempts to grasp the real size of the chasm that is revealed in panoramic glory north to south. Stone steps lead down a short distance to masonry rock pulpits which jut out from the cliff face into the canyon.
Those with fear of heights are not going to like the dizzying effects of standing at the tip of the pulpit and leaning slightly out over the stone wall. As the fragrant breeze blows up from the forest far below across your face, it is a sensation akin to flying. Cameras are quickly brought to bear in futile attempts to in anyway capture the natural majesty of the gorge. The river running through the bottom of the gorge can be heard from the lookouts. It sounds like a rushing wind, or perhaps a distant ocean surf. Its peaceful and enticing. The rich foliage and pine trees give the air a very pleasant fragrance. Using binoculars we were able to see other hikers on the tops of the rocky knobs on the east side of the gorge, up on Hawksbill Mountain and Table Rock Mountain. The people appeared as tiny specks, even at 10X.

Returning to the FJ's in the parking area, we discovered a third yellow stock FJ that had arrived after us, although the owner was not at the vehicle. Still its always good to see extended family! We drive a couple more miles along the 105 until we arrived at the Linville Falls parking area. We grabbed an open picnic table and began preparing lunch. A late lunch due to our earlier detour and taking more time to sightsee on the ride up than anticipated. After lunch we hiked the half mile down through the forest on a well used dirt trail to the Linville Falls. The water was flowing strongly and the sound of white water fluming through the ancient rock grottos provided authentic surround sound effects.
It was very cool (cold) down in the falls area. I'm thinking the air temp was around 40 deg F while the shaded rocks were closer to 32 deg F. Some ice was to be found in the little rock cracks and crevices. Everyone was wearing their coats and I was beginning to notice my finger tips were tingling. Still, a number of other visitors were there with us, even on such a cool day. As with Wiseman's View, everyone was taking pictures in all directions.
Leaving the falls, we returned uphill (huff-puff) to the parking area. We considered the lateness of the day, being 3pm already, and decided to save the idea of scouting out and hiking up Table Rock Mountain to see the gorge from the eastern side for another trip. Everyone agreed this was a wise idea.
We departed Old Hwy 105 at its intersection with Hwy 183 in Linville Falls. We traveled 183 to 181 and then down through Morganton to I-40 and then east to home.

A couple of personal notes for this ride:
First I have to say that NCorn and his fiancee were exceptionally nice people and I can't wait to see them again. The NCFJCruisers is truly made up of wonderful people.
Second, Linville Gorge and Hwy 105 far exceeded my expectations! The road and the many splendid views, each more breathtaking than the last, were overwhelming. I WILL GO BACK!!! WE MUST GO BACK!!
Third, I seriously under estimated the time it would take to explore the hwy going up to Linville Falls. Looking forward to a future ride with other people, I will either do the 105 or table rock but not try to do both, its too much for one day, especially in the winter when the sun sets around 4pm in the mountains. This would make a spectacular summer trip, although the views may not be quite as open. However warmer weather would open up the opportunity to do some camping along the gorge and that would be awesome.
Finally, I continue to be pleased as pie with my FJ. Trips like this where the road can have some challenging spots with steep ascents, blind corners and rough spots, really highlight the all-terrain capability of the FJ. Never once today did I feel unsure or uncomfortable with the road conditions or wheter or not my FJ could get me to the end of the trail. There is a reason we love these trucks. They are GREAT! - FJerYuri

Oh yeah, pics coming soon!!