POOCH PATHS = dog walks or hikes. Each time a Pooch Path hike is described on the home page, additional information about that locale will be found here. [Note: Click on the location title for the complete article.]
Bent Creek Experimental Forest
Directions to Bent Creek: http://www.srs.fs.usda.gov/organization/directions/bentcreek_directions.htm
More information about Bent Creek:
http://www.srs.fs.usda.gov/bentcreek/
Directions from Asheville: Take I-240 E to I-40 E to Exit 55. Turn left off exit to Tunnel Rd./US 70. Turn right for 2 miles on US 70 E to the first stop light. Turn left at light onto Warren Wilson Rd. Go about 1.5 miles to parking on left at the river.
More about Warren Wilson College: http://www.warren-wilson.edu
Biltmore Estate, Asheville, NC
For comprehensive information about the Biltmore Estate, visit www.biltmore.com.
(The following information is from: http://www.biltmore.com)
Local Directions to Biltmore:
From Interstate 40 East: Take I-40 east to Asheville. Take exit 50 (US Highway 25), then turn left at the traffic light after exiting. Stay in the left lane and follow signs to the Biltmore entrance.
From Interstate 40 West: Take I-40 west to Asheville and take exit 50B (US Highway 25 North). After exiting, stay in the left lane and follow signs to the Biltmore entrance.
From Interstate 26/U.S. Highway 19/23 East: Take I-26 east to Asheville. In Asheville, take I-240 east to I-40 west. Follow Interstate 40 west to exit 50B (US Highway 25 North). After exiting, stay in the left lane and follow signs to the Biltmore entrance.
From Interstate 26 West: Follow I-26 west towards Asheville to exit 31A (Hickory/Knoxville exit). Take I-40 east to exit 50 (US Highway 25), then turn left at the traffic light after exiting. Stay in the left lane and follow signs to the Biltmore entrance.
From the Blue Ridge Parkway: Take the U.S. Highway 25 North exit; Biltmore is approximately 4 miles from the parkway.
(The following is from: http://www.recreation.gov/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=NRSO&parkId=70206)
Getting There:
Lake Powhatan (NC)
375 WESLEY BRANCH ROAD
Asheville NC 28806
From I-26, take exit 33 (Old Exit 2), south approximately 2 miles on N.C. R 191 to the Lake Powhatan Recreation Area sign. Turn right and follow signs to campground.
Located just minutes from Asheville, NC, in the Pisgah National Forest. Lake Powhatan Recreation Area is a heavily wooded campground on the banks of Lake Powhatan. Nearby to the WNC Arboretum, Biltmore Estate and the Blue Ridge Parkway.
The maximum number of vehicles / persons and camping units per site are 2 vehicles / 8 persons / 2 tents. There is a $5.00 for each additional vehicle.
*Quiet hours 10PM to 7AM
*Gate closes at 10PM and reopens at 7AM
*Modern Restrooms
*Swimming area open from 10AM until 8PM
*No boats allowed on lake
*First Come / First Serve sites available.
*Golden Age / Golden Access accepted, but cardholder MUST be present.
Weekend Interpretive Programs available from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend.
Campground Open: April 1 - October 31
*Sites are available for reservation May 15 - October 15
*Reservations must be made 4 days in advance
*2 night minimum stay on weekends
*3 night minimum stay on Holiday weekends
*Must occupy site within first 24 hours or forfeit site
*Fires only in fire rings provided
*Pets must remain on leash
Services & Amenities:
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Azalea Dog Park, Asheville, NC
The Pooch Paths article, accessible here, has complete information about Azalea Dog Park.
Carrier Park and French Broad River Park, Asheville, NC
(The following is from http://www.ashevillenc.gov/departments/ParksRCA/default.aspx?id=15024)
Carrier Park - Regional Community Park - 220 Amboy Rd., Asheville, NC 28806
One of Asheville's premiere parks offers volleyball courts, a giant playground, a roller-hockey rink, basketball courts, multi-use track/velodrome, lawn bowling court, paved trail and multi-use sports fields for baseball or soccer. Our largest picnic shelter is located within the park a well as a nature walk with river overlooks and a wetland interpretive educational trail. Located on Amboy Rd. and Michigan Ave. in west Asheville.
(For information about the Wilma Dykeman Riverway project, visit Riverlink.org: http://www.riverlink.org/park_development.asp) French Broad River Park - Regional Community Park -508 Riverview Dr., Asheville, NC 28806
One of Asheville's most beautiful parks, the park meanders alongside the tranquil French Broad River, and features a vast area of open green space with old trees, a wildflower garden, a paved trail, a gazebo, picnic tables and grills, an observation deck, and a small playground. The Dog Park features a large fenced-in area made for exercising and socializing your pooch! Located at Amboy Rd. and Riverview Dr. in west Asheville.
Fletcher Community Park, Fletcher, NC
(The following information is from http://www.fletcherparks.org/)
Fletcher Community Park has: 4 youthbaseball/softball fields, 1 adult softball field, soccer fields, concession/restroom building, steelcase shelter, playground, disc golf, arboretum gardens, and walking trails.
Fletcher Greenway:
This master plan for greenways and trails envisions over thirteen miles of winding pathways, weaving between towering willow trees alongside Can and Hooper's Creek, connecting the new school to neighborhoods, and enhancing the viability of the proposed Town Center. Rest stops near the water's edge or set overlooking the ball fields in the park will invite residents and visitors to travel by trail and not by car. Tourists will see Fletcher as a desination of choice, to experience what no other community in the region has: a green connection.
Phase 1 of the Hoopers Creek Greenway was finished in the Spring of 2004 with the opening of the Greenway Bridge as well as a 1/4-mile trail that runs along Hooper's Creek. The land for the Hoopers Creek Trail was donated by Blue Ridge Metals and we appreciate their willingness to be part of this great community project.
Carl Sandburg Home, Flat Rock, NC
(The following information is from www.nps.gov/carl)
The park is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. all year; closed December 25 and in cases of inclement weather the park may close to visitors until it is safe to open.
Tours of the historic Sandburg home are available daily. Please call the park at 828-693-4178 if you have any questions regarding tours.
Tour the grounds at your leisure.
Directions
The park is located three miles south of Hendersonville, NC on Little River Road off of the Greenville Highway/Rt. 225 in Flat Rock, NC.
From Interstate 26 take exit 53 (formerly exit 22) - from I-26 east, turn right onto Upward Road; from I-26 west, turn left onto Upward Road. At intersection with Rt. 176/Spartanburg Hwy, continue straight. Upward Road turns into Highland Lake Road. At the light, turn left onto Rt.225/Greenville Hwy south. At next light take a right onto Little River Road. Visitor parking on left.
From Asheville, NC: take I-26 east from I-40 or I-240; 30 miles.
From Greenville, SC: take I-85 north to I-26 west; 35 miles.
From Charlotte, NC: take I-85 south to Rt. 74 west toward Kings Mtn./Gastonia to I-26 west; 110 miles.
From Greensboro, NC: I-40 west to I-26 east; 200 miles.
From Knoxville, TN: I-40 east to I-26 east; 135 miles.
Trail map of the Sandburg Home Grounds:
http://www.nps.gov/carl/planyourvisit/upload/trailmap93006.pdf
Mt. Pisgah, Blue Ridge Parkway, NC
Here is a map of Mt. Pisgah trails:
http://www.nps.gov/blri/planyourvisit/upload/Mt.%20Pisgah%20Trails.pdf
(The following information is from www.romanticasheville.com)
Mt. Pisgah can be seen from downtown Asheville on a clear day. It's easy to pick out since it has a large transmission tower on the top! The popular 1.5 mile (one way) hike to the 5,721-foot summit is a great place to stop along the Parkway to stretch your legs. It's just 26 miles southwest of Asheville on the Blue Ridge Parkway at Milepost 407.6, in the Pisgah National Forest. Enjoy panoramic views, including the best view of the famous Cold Mountain. Coming from Asheville, look for the parking area on the left before you reach the Pisgah Inn.
(The following information is from www.SherpaGuides.com) From the Mount Pisgah parking area, the 1.6-mile Mount Pisgah Trail rises 712 feet through a northern red oak forest before giving way to a heath bald at the peak. It earns a moderate to strenuous rating because the last half of the climb grows particularly steep and rocky, but spectacular views of the Shining Rock Wilderness to the west-southwest and the French Broad River Valley to the north and east make the climb well worth the effort. For a longer hike, take the six mile roundtrip hike to Fryingpan Lookout Tower, an old fire lookout tower. This trail turns to the left, shortly after you begin the Mt. Pisgah trail. A shorter hike (two miles) to Frying Pan Mountain Trail begins down the Parkway at Milepost 408.5. It goes to Big Bald, a great wildflower area. Then continue on FR 450 to the fire tower for views.
Pisgah National Forest, Brevard, NC
(The following information is from http://ncnatural.com/NCUSFS/Pisgah/pisgdst.html)
The Pisgah District is a mecca for vacationers, naturalists and adventurers, offering a wide range of options for your recreating pleasure. Just to mention a few, there's hiking and back-packing, camping, fishing, biking, horse-back riding, swimming, rock-climbing, car-touring, waterfalls, wildlife, historical areas, and a variety of special programs to choose from, including everything from lectures to guided hikes and square dancing. The main season runs from Memorial Day weekend through the change of the leaves in November.
In the mountains of western North Carolina, this 157,000-acre district ranges in elevation from 2,000 feet to the 6,410-ft. Richland Balsam Mountain. Headquarters of the Ranger District are on US 276 near Brevard, NC. Hours for the Visitor Center are 8:00 to 5:00 on weekdays. During the summer months the visitor center is also open from 9:00 to 5:00 on weekends and holidays.
Visitor Center/Ranger Station
Information, exhibits, restrooms, a gift shop, a nature trail and exercise trail-- this is a great introduction stop.
Center is located 1.5 miles west of NC 280 on US 276. Phone (828) 877-3265.
Davidson River Campground
A popular campground where you can relax and enjoy the National Forest. There are hiking trails, fishing streams, evening programs and even warm showers.
Sycamore Flats Picnic Area
A large picnic area named for the numerous Sycamore trees that grow along the banks of the Davidson River. 40 Picnic tables, flush toilets, free and open year round. No alchohol in Sycamore Flats.
Forest Heritage Scenic Byway
This scenic byway is the first National forest scenic byway in North Carolina. Traversing the Pisgah National Forest in Transylvania and Haywood Counties, the 79 mile loop winds its way through areas of outstanding natural beauty rich in forest history.
Visitors traveling the Byway will be able to experience a multitude of recreational opportunities. Areas of interest include the Cradle of Forestry in America, Looking Glass Falls, Sliding Rock and Middle Prong Wilderness Areas, camping areas, picnicking areas and rural and forested scenery.
Much of the Byway route follows old settlement roads and logging railroads from the turn of the century. Many of the developed sites were once logging towns, sawmills, or mountain communities. Though much of the forest looks touched only by the forces of nature, the existing vegetation is the new forest that grew from lands logged over during the late 1800's and the early 1900's.
Coontree Picnic Area
- Cool your toes in the river while you enjoy a picnic lunch. It is doubtful that you'll see any raccoons--they prefer the dark. 10 picnic tables, flush toilets, open yearlong, free. Restrooms are closed in off-season (November to May). Water service may be discontinued to prevent damage to plumbing as weather dictates.
(The following information is from www.ncarboretum.org)
The North Carolina Arboretum sits amid a 434-acre public garden located within the Bent Creek Experimental Forest of the Pisgah National Forest. Surrounded by lush folds of the botanically diverse Southern Appalachian Mountains, The North Carolina Arboretum is adjacent to the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway, at Milepost 393, and is nestled in one of the most beautiful natural settings in America.
The Arboretum offers activities for all ages, including:
- A 434-acre natural treasure with 65 acres of cultivated gardens and 10 miles of hiking and biking trails
- Engagin indoor and outdoor exhibits that cultivate connections between people and plants
- One of the finest, most unique bonsai collections in the United States
- An innovative Production Greenhouse and Operations Center
April to October: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
November to March: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Admission is $6 per personal vehicle, free admission on Tuesdays.
Directions from The Blue Ridge Parkway
Exit at mile marker 393. There are signs on the Parkway for NC Arboretum, Hwy. 191 and Interstate 26. On the exit ramp, the entrance to the Arboretum is immediately on the left (before Hwy. 191 and traffic light).
