A national treasure famous for its many waterfalls, clear streams, and forests replete with rhododendron and mountain laurel.
Lila enjoyed a little jaunt with some cousins down to the far western reaches of North Carolina this week, and spent some time hiking the trails in Pisgah National Forest. Sometimes one needs a break to refresh one’s outlook on life, and this is a good one!
Thanks to a relative who lives in Brevard, NC, Pisgah National Forest has become something of a tradition for Lila and the cousins. Sometimes we gather there for a holiday; this time for no particular reason, other than a mid-summer break from the usual grind.

Sunlight catches the mist in the forest.
We’re no spring chickens; as often as Lila shamelessly claims 23 years to her name (maybe I should up that to 35 sometime), no one is ever going to buy that! But we set ourselves a couple of challenges: the first was John Rock, the mountain that overlooks the Pisgah Forest State Fish Hatchery. The five-mile hike starts out easily enough, but it is no casual stroll, with a 1000-foot gain in elevation topping out at 3,320 feet above sea level before the often rough trails return you to your start point at the Hatchery. Well, never let it be said that we shy away from biting off more than we can chew. So off we went, over trails as muddy as we have ever seen them, and with nary another soul in sight. The occasional quagmires we encountered (one wonders where all that water comes from, so high up on a mountain), were interspersed with upward climbs worthy of a Stairmaster workout. About the time that we were cursing our idiocy, consulting the map in vain hopes of a shortcut home, and ready to declare ourselves unwilling to take one more upward step, we found ourselves at the heavily forested summit and the trail started steeply downward. The wailing and gnashing of teeth subsided and we perked up as the trail once again became more level, with occasional scenic stream crossings, until we made our way back to the Hatchery and cooled our feet in the stream there.
To sweeten our moods even more, we stopped in the town of Brevard for our first-day, post-hike ice cream at Rocky’s Soda Shop – another tradition. Rocky’s, with its red vinyl and chrome, is a throwback to the ice cream and soda shops of the 1950s. Being summertime, it was packed with very satisfied customers, but we are happy to keep up our Rocky’s habit even in the dead of winter.
The following day, we headed up the Blue Ridge Parkway for Mount Pisgah, the 5,712-foot peak that dominates the Pisgah Forest landscape and is easily distinguished by the communications tower at its summit.

We have to WALK up there?!
We thought this hike, with its 750-foot gain in altitude and 3-mile round trip on the trail, would be easier than John Rock the day before. Maybe it was, but it didn’t seem like it (did I mention that we’re not spring chickens?)! While John Rock was longer and had more vertical gain, Mount Pisgah is some 2,400 feet higher above sea level (with a corresponding decrease in oxygen levels), and the trail had practically no level stretches to break up the climb, making it seem much steeper than John Rock.

The Mt. Pisgah trail. Up, and up, and up.
On the other hand, the Mount Pisgah trail was much more popular, and we encountered many hikers on the way up and back. The summit rewarded us with spectacular 360-degree views and a cool breeze, something not to be found in the thick forests on the mountainsides.

The view from Mt. Pisgah.

All the antennae on the tower bring back Signal Corps memories for Lila!
We were chipper enough on the way home to make a quick side trip to see Jackson Falls, an easy walk to an unexpectedly tall and attractive waterfall. This trail, more open and bright than the others, treated us to butterflies and blackberries as well as the cool spray from the falls. The river we crossed over – clear and cool – was also popular with families and trout fishermen.

Lila, photographing Jackson Falls.
Conveniently, Dolly’s Dairy Bar is located along the road headed back into town, doing brisk business in the summer. We found the outdoor atmosphere somewhat campground-like, but the ice cream – in flavors ranging from basic to unique, and served in forms ranging from cones to sundaes to banana splits – was delicious. We may have just found a new post-hike tradition!

The “Bear Benches” at Dolly’s are almost as popular as the ice cream.
Whether river tubing, swimming, fishing, sightseeing, camping, hiking or just browsing the shops in the quaint town of Brevard, there is something for everyone. As far as we’re concerned, we can’t go too wrong with hiking followed by ice cream, especially on a hot summer day!
mary burdt
July 26, 2013
Lila–This trip sounds like just what you needed. A change of scenery is good for the body and soul. The pictures were awesome and the cousins sound like such fun. I being, no spring chicken myself, admire your stamina. Eating ice cream after every hike is my favorite part of the story. Thank you for sharing your adventure with us.
joaneee
July 26, 2013
Lila . . . first, the applause goes to taking any upward-leaning trails in the heat and humidity of summer . . . but the trails you chose are beautiful ones — even if a bit challenging and sometimes more than a little slippery near those glorious waterfalls that seem to abound. Loved your story, admired your tenacity in reaching for the sky two days in a row. But in that part of western North Carolina, treats like this are not to be missed. . and it sounded like the grand finale of homemade ice cream and the feeling of home was truly special.
Loved your story and the photos!
Rho
July 26, 2013
Lila, glad you had a good time. Don’t think I could do it.
Mimi
July 26, 2013
Love the idea. I am currently challenged to make it around the very lovely BWI airport from one end to the other. I’m so glad you had a good time – and the ice cream.
Lauriate Roly.
July 26, 2013
Looks like a wonderful way to take a break, and a sure-fire way to change one’s mind from the sometimes ever present day to day tedium of city life.
Beautiful scenery and those mountain and forest and stream scenes look so fresh and clear and their perfume mixed with fresh mountain air must be exhilarating. Some of those mountain trails, especially the rocky ones that lead up and up can’t be too easy, even for a group of adventurous “spring chickens”.
Lauriate Roly.
July 26, 2013
Don’t try to kid us Rho. I bet you could do this and probably be the patrol leader on an adventure like this until your troop gives in and admits they can’t keep up with you.
Rho
July 27, 2013
I am not kidding you. I have sciatica, some times it’s hard for me to walk.
The Color of Lila
July 27, 2013
Rho, ugh, that’s bad. I once had a lower back injury and had a hard time walking, sitting, getting in and out of bed. Basically – I was only sort of comfortable when standing, or lying flat. Took months to eventually clear up. So I can empathize. Wishing you much improvement.
Rho
July 27, 2013
Thanks Lila, these days I took to walking a cane. I don’t even know how to use it. I am a mess these days. I even got a medical alert machine, so if I fall in the shower, they will come, just have to press the button. Oy Vey! Getting older is the pits.
Lauriate Roly.
July 28, 2013
Rho: Terribly embarrassed to have come across as flippant and rather cavalier. I had no idea you were suffering a handicap such as you describe. I was only trying to tease you in what I hoped would be accepted as a friendly way. I had to depend on a walking cane once and I didn’t like it one bit. Try not to let the situation get you down. I know, it’s easier said, than done.
Jeannot Kensinger
July 28, 2013
Thanks Lila, I live near the Forest in Hendersonville NC. When my husband was alive we would visit there at least once a week. One never gets tired of the scenery.Friends had a wedding on one of the trails. We had many a pic nics with breathtaking views. My son in law lives in Brevard and fishes there every day. When it was time to bring husband’s ashes to the forest ,good old Frank knew exactly where we had to go. It was just the best chapel in the world. I am 81 so I no longer do this kind of hiking but give you AAA’s for doing them!!!!Love the plug for Rocky’s ,I always have to enjoy an apple pie there and it shows.
The Color of Lila
July 28, 2013
Jeannot, Hendersonville is quite close by. Maybe on some future visit we can both have apple pie at Rocky’s!
Sabrina Kensinger
July 29, 2013
Lila, you were right in my neighborhood. I work right around the corner from Rockies. What a shame I could have met you and hugged you for sharing our journey!! So glad you came out to our little area of the world and enjoyed it so!! Sabrina, daughter to Jeannot and mother to Zack (zackmansjourney). Sending you hugs and thanks!!!
The Color of Lila
July 29, 2013
Sabrina, you may get a chance… I come to Brevard at least a couple of times a year. The Cousins are already talking about re-conquering John Rock in cooler weather when the leaves will be down and the views will be better.