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Valentines Prep Hike Checks Out Lover's Leap
Story and photos by Rob Hunt
CLICK to enlarge
Lover's Leap
View from below
The trail up
The French Broad River bridge
Hot Springs
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With Valentine's Day approaching, it was only right for the Outdoor Center to visit Lover's Leap, which derives its name from an ancient Cherokee legend where a young woman threw herself off the mountain after learning that her warrior lover was slain in battle.
The rocky outcropping is located in Madison County above the town of Hot Springs, just a 30-minute drive from Mars Hill College.
Ten hikers met at the Outdoor Center on Saturday morning, February 8. Some were experienced outdoorsmen, while others were just looking for a relaxing day. The weather was fair, neither cold nor warm. The sun was shining just enough to warm the body, but the wind was there to balance the temperature.
The group set out at 9 a.m., driving across quiet farmland and through tranquil valleys. After crossing one last peaceful river, they arrived at their destination, and before long they were on the trail.
The hike began on a scenic trail that follows the French Broad River. With hundreds of climbable trees and vine swings on every side, it was only a matter of time before someone dropped his bag and shimmied up a tree.
After the tree climbing, the hikers followed the trail as it began to veer away from the river and ascend the mountain. They came across the first of many rock faces that they would be seeing throughout the hike. The shale rock face looked like an aging mosaic. Its cracked surface was a combination of natural reds and browns and yellows, all natural coloring and tinting brought on by centuries of exposure to the weather. The rock had constantly cracked and crumbled, due to the rapid temperature changes atop the mountain. The crumbled rock had left a nice gravel-like path for the hikers to follow to the top.
After about a mile and a half of walking, the group arrived at Lover's Leap. The town of Hot Springs was spread out below. A huge bridge that the group had passed under hours ago looked like nothing more than a miniature model now. The view went on for miles and miles. The only thing blocking it was the next mountain range on the other side of the town.
After snapping a few pictures, and after taking in the scenery around them, the hikers reluctantly turned around and descended the mountain. They crossed over a few small streams and ran into another group of friendly hikers, and then they were back at the van. The hike was technically over.
But instead of heading home, some of the hikers began to explore the surrounding area. They climbed through caves and ran atop and around the cliff edges. They were like a group of elementary school students getting let out for recess. They ran and jumped around in their newly-discovered natural playground.
Then they piled into the van and drove a short distance to a place by the French Broad River where they enjoyed a picnic lunch.
People skipped rocks, splashed each other, started water fights, and in the end got a little wet. It was the perfect way to end another day with the Outdoor Center.
Bluff Mountain Outfitters in Hot Springs publishes a useful trail map of the area.
Directions to Lover's Leap: TO TRAILHEAD: US 19/US 23 N to Weaverville then US 25/US 70 W to Hot Springs, NC. Turn Left onto River Rd., then Left again onto Silvermine Rd. Pass under bridge and park in lot @ Nantahala Outdoor Center French Broad Outpost.
From Hot Springs, go east on U.S. 25/70 across the French Broad River Bridge. Immediately after crossing the bridge, turn left Turn left at the first intersection on River Road and follow the signs to the Silvermine Trailhead. (Courtesy YourHikes.com)
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