The first time I hiked the area known as Pink Beds in the Pisgah National Forest, I was skeptical of reports that the 5-mile loop was nearly flat. Nearly flat? On the Blue Ridge Escarpment?
Poppycock.
The first time I hiked John Rock I was skeptical that the hike, midway up the same escarpment, could have one of the best views around.
At 3,320 feet? Wouldn’t the best views be from atop the ridge some 2,000 feet higher?
One would think.
And one would be wrong. On both counts.
Pink Beds gains only 331 feet total over 5.2 miles, making it an anomaly for the Pisgah, and certainly for the Davidson River area where it’s located. That you could hike 5.2 miles here and not be drained is a surprise to first-time hikers. And that John Rock, an expansive rock slab at roughly the midpoint of a 4.7-mile lolipop loop, does indeed have stunning views, including the iconic Looking Glass Rock across the valley, is something of a head scratcher.
Great views on one hike, an easy 5 mountain miles on another that’s not 15 minutes away … . Hmm …
It didn’t take a genius to realize these two hikes pair well for a long day of hiking. Which is why I’ll be leading both hikes — John Rock in the morning, Pink Beds in the afternoon — on Tuesday, Sept. 9, as part of North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein’s Rediscover the Unforgettable campaign, which aims to let folks know that Western North Carolina is rebounding from last September’s Hurricane Helene and is eager to welcome tourists. A second, similarevent is planned for Sept. 12-14 in Sylva.
If you haven’t hiked the mountains since Hurricane Helene last September, these hikes are a good reason to return. For one, no guesswork about whether the trails — and the roads leading to them — are accessible. They are. There’s also no doubting that these are great hikes: Do a general search of either and you’ll come up with nothing but superlatives:
Of John Rock, Gabrielle wrote on Sunday: “Well-marked and beautiful scenery the whole way through.”
Of Pink Beds, Laura, also on Sunday, wrote: “Really beautiful, very shaded, lots of nice spots to see the water.”
John Rock offers the challenge, gaining 1,000 feet in less than 2 miles (the first two miles), and the payout in great scenery, while Pink Beds makes for a good recovery hike and a more intimate encounter with the Southern Appalachians, in an unusual mountain bog.
A great opportunity to hike two awesome Pisgah trails in one day. And a great way to reintroduce yourself to western NC.
Hope to see you there.
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Info
To learn more about both hikes: