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Lion Hikers Take on Looking Glass Rock
by Rob Hunt
The group started its adventure on an early Saturday morning. The sun was just coming up, and there was still dew on the grass. The bags were tightly packed with food, most notably the Wheat Thins, which would be a very popular snack on top of the mountain. The first aid kit was in order, the cameras were ready to go, and everyone was dressed warmly for the cold weather. Everyone was excited about the trip to Looking Glass Rock.
The hikers were a group of thirteen students on a trip offered by The Mars Hill College Outdoor Center. The hike on January 26 was just the first of many adventures the Outdoor Center has planned for the semester.
Looking Glass Rock, which is named for the way its granite shell reflects the sunshine, is located in the Pisgah National Forest near Brevard. It is a popular spot for tourists and locals during the warmer months, but during the colder months it is rarely hiked.
Most of the group squeezed into the van, while a few stragglers followed behind in cars of their own. The journey to Brevard was underway. The trip got off to a rocky start when the group learned that the Parkway was closed, meaning that the trail was impossible to get to. Luckily another trail was found easily and the hike was back on. After another short drive, the van came to a halt, and all the excited hikers shot out. The cold grey morning had turned into a bright and sunny day. A comfortable breeze seemed to bring out a sense of eagerness in each hiker.
Because of the change of location, most of the group was unfamiliar with the trail. Only a couple of hikers had hiked the trail before and were familiar with the terrain. A description of the trail was read to inform the hikers of what they should expect, and a few facts came into light. First, the trail was marked as strenuous. Secondly, they would be ascending about 1,700 feet in a little over three miles. Lastly, they were told about the fact that people had died on this trail and on top of the mountain. After hearing these new facts it was easy to see that some of the hikers were second- guessing their choice of coming on this hike.
But after the second-guessing and the worried looks, the hike was underway. It started as a leisurely walk through pine straw-covered trails, but it soon turned into an uphill battle. As the group ascended the mountain, the pine straw paths were still there, but those trails were now covered with a combination of snow, mud, and ice. As the elevation grew, the temperature got warmer in the sunshine yet colder in the shadows. Even the songbirds were staying in their warm nests. Some hikers struggled and some excelled, but at the end of the strenuous trail everyone made it to the top.
The strenuous hike was well worth the view. The scenery went on for miles as the hikers gazed out onto the open landscape. Everyone sat down and relaxed. There were no thoughts about classes, exams, or the papers due Monday. It was the perfect place to escape the worries of the real world. There were no houses or supermarkets, just a few old mountain roads that crisscrossed through the forests.
The giant granite face had a gentle slope to it that was almost hypnotic. One wrong step would equal one long fall hundreds of feet down the face of the mountain.
Suddenly, a young woman from another group took a spill on the slick ice. Not learning from her mistake, she stepped on the ice again and began a rapid descent down the granite face. Hikers around her began chasing after her, but it was easy to see they would not be able to catch her.
Fortunately, she did get caught. The hero was a fresh sapling that would otherwise have been overlooked. At the last minute she grabbed it. That fresh sapling was a life saver.
The excitement was over, and everyone was more than happy to get back to enjoying the view and eating their lunches.
But the group could not stay on top of the mountain forever. The hike towards the van had to begin. Some were in a hurry and wanted to be back in the warmth of the van, while others were going as slowly as possible, trying to soak up every last detail.
The hike down was uneventful, and before long everyone was back in the parking lot. All the group had now was the memories of the experience. They had to get back to the real world of classes and exams, but whenever they get bogged down, they can just think about the view on top of Looking Glass Rock and escape all over again. If that does not work, they can just think about the next adventure the Outdoor Center is planning.
Directions from Downtown Asheville (about 36 miles): Take I-240 West / I-26 East. Continue on I-26 East to Exit 40 for Highway 280 (and the Asheville Airport). Take a right onto Highway 280 West and go 16 miles toward Brevard. As you enter the Brevard area, you will see a big shopping center on the right (with Wal-Mart). Just past the center, turn right onto US Highway 276 North to enter the Pisgah National Forest. Go 5.3 miles and turn left at the sign for Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education and the State Fish Hatchery. Go 4/10 of a mile and look for the parking area on the right for Looking Glass Rock Trail Head.
MORE PHOTOS - Gallery by Katie Bolton
FUTURE HIKES:
On these Saturdays:
Lover's Leap: Feb. 9
Chimney Rock: Feb. 23 |
Painted Rock: Mar. 1
Linville Gorge and Falls: Mar 29
Cataloochee, Smokey Mt. Nat'l Park: April 5
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SKI/SNOWBOARD - WOLF LAUREL
On these Wednesdays, Weather Permitting
Feb 6
Feb 20
Mar 5
March 26
April 9
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INDOOR ROCK CLIMBING
On these Fridays at ClimbMax
Feb 8
Feb 22
Mar 7
Mar 28
April 11
April 25 |
Contact the Outdoor Center for times and departure details.
If you have questions, email Daniel Amick at damick@mhc.edu. |
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