This is a Full CBS Walk to the western mountains of North Carolina that will explore several areas along and around the BRP (Blue Ridge Parkway) near Asheville, NC. We will meet both days at 10:00 at the Bent Creek River Park, at 1610 Brevard Road, Asheville, NC 28806 (GPS coordinates 35.5015, -82.5931), which is located about 100 yards south of the traffic light at the BRP entrance ramp. This meeting location will be our first opportunity to look for butterflies and a good place to leave vehicles (for those who prefer to carpool).

The plan for Saturday is to caravan up Bent Creek to the BRP, travel south past Mount Pisgah to eventually make it to a USFS area called The Pink Beds. For Sunday we could drive further south along the BRP to higher elevations near Graveyard Fields and Black Balsam. Depending on the weather we may decide to go to the higher country on Saturday.

Saturday Proposed Route and Locations

• Starting point @ Bent Creek River Park (address and/or GPS coordinates above).
• Then 2.7 miles to Hard Times Trailhead.
• Next, follow Bent Creek Gap Road for 4.8 miles to Bent Creek Gap to access the BRP.
• Continue south on the BRP for 10 miles to Fryingpan Mountain Lookout tower.
• Continue south on the BRP & Hwy 276, for 8 miles to the Pink Beds near the Cradle of Forestry.
• There are two options for returning to the starting point. The first is going back the way we came. The other is to follow the gravel USFS Yellow Gap Road for 10 miles to the North Mills River Campground, then taking North Mills River Road and Hwy 191 back to Bent Creek River Park.

Sunday Proposed Route and Locations

• Meet again at Bent Creek River Park (address and/or GPS coordinates above)
• Drive south on the BRP 44 miles to Black Balsam Knob parking area.

Please bring water, lunch, binoculars, cameras, sunscreen, and bug spray. Long pants and close-toed shoes are recommended. Sparrel Wood will lead. Please register on the CBS website or contact Sparrel at [email protected] if you plan on attending.

Following is a link to booking.com for lodging near the starting location.
The 10 best hotels near North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville, United States of America (booking.com)