|
Revised book includes several local trails
For more than 20 years, hikers have relied on “North Carolina Hiking Trails,” the most comprehensive guide to the Tar Heel State’s varied scenic terrain.
Hot off the press is the much-anticipated fourth edition, the first revision of the classic guide in almost 10 years. The just-released volume contains detailed, updated descriptions of more than 1,300 trails throughout the state, compiled and edited by outdoorsman Allen de Hart.
“The North Carolina landscape is immensely diverse, and this book describes trails to suit every ability level,” de Hart said. The book includes information on short walks suitable for family excursions to weeklong journeys through Western North Carolina’s remote mountains, making it perfect for hikers of all ages and levels of experience.
De Hart has hiked every trail he describes. Walking them again for this latest edition was “an extraordinary field trip and a valuable natural history lesson,” he said.
The latest edition contains everything hikers have come to expect from this respected trail guide, as well as helpful new features. Trails are classified according to which state park, national forest or national park they’re found in. Each chapter begins with a useful locator map that identifies major trail areas. A brief introduction to each area and its major trail groupings makes planning quick and easy. Each trail description describes distance, difficulty, elevation, connecting trails, scenery and landmarks.
The new edition has been well received by critics across the state.
“When it come to going on foot, ‘North Carolina Hiking Trails’ is a must. From Murphy to Manteo, this guidebook offers details on thousands of miles of trails,” said a review in the Greensboro News and Record.
De Hart, a former history professor, has been hiking, designing, constructing and writing about trails for more than 60 years.
While the author may have taught history for decades, it was interesting to see that his description of how Herrin Knob (one of Jackson County’s highest summits at 5,730 feet above sea level) got its name differs from an account by legendary Sylva writer and folk historian John Parris.
According to de Hart, the peak was named for “James P. Herren (correct spelling), a prominent timberman.”
Parris, on the other hand, contends that the mountain was named for a boy from Augusta. Ga., who traveled from his red-clay home to hunt bear in the wilds of Jackson County’s Canada section with “Uncle” Davey Reece.
A noted storyteller, Uncle Davey outdid himself on a visit to the youngster’s father’s store. A few months later, the teenaged Herrin arrived to go bear hunting on Wolf Creek, according to the Parris version.
Uncle Davey took the boy up to a mountain he and hunting companions called “Big Cove” and put him at the best stand. They heard their dogs raise a bear and heard them chase it right by where young Herrin was stationed, though they didn’t hear him fire his gun. When they went to check, they found him up in the fork of the tree.
From that day on, Parris said, the mountain has been called “Herrin Knob.”
Regardless of who exactly Herrin Knob is named for, de Hart’s book features a nice description of a very pleasant trail that is easily accessible from the Blue Ridge Parkway near its intersection with N.C. 215. The volume also contains information on several other trails along that section of the Parkway, including the Bear Pen Gap trail to Wet Camp Gap and the Richland Balsam Trail, which leads to Richland Balsam, the highest point along the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Other Jackson County trails listed include Pantertown, Yellow Mountain, Waterrock Knob and Balsam Lake.
For more information on the trail book, check online at www.outdoors.org.
|
