Info on Wilson Creek (near Blowing Rock NC)

**Jason in Tn** · 07-01-2013, 15:21

Wilson creek my old stomping grounds. There are two many trails to name and lots of adventure to be had. Jumping off rocks and swimming the gorge area above brown mountain beach. Or hike down to hunt fish falls on lost cove creek a feeder stream to Wilson beautiful area large deep pool right at bottom of trail. Easy walk in steep walk out but worth it take plenty of water. Harpers creek has a upper and lower waterfalls. Lots of other feeder streams to explore. I have fly fished every inch of every creek that feeds from the gorge all the way until they are pretty much dry at the top of grandfather mountain. When I was younger I would spend many long weekends in there camping and fishing with dad. What a great place and lots of memories there. There is a formal type camp area at Mortimer if you want bath rooms and such. Nice central area to work out of.

Jason

**Michelle the Camper** · 07-08-2013, 09:19

ho lee smokes! This is a beautiful area! It was so exciting being there this weekend! It was pouring rain as we got out of the car at The Little Lost Cove Cliffs trailhead. We hiked through 4-6" of runnning water on the trail, most of the way. We went over the mountain on the Little Lost Cove trail, then down the N. Harper Creek Falls trail. It finally stopped raining after flooded creek crossing # 3, so we set up camp. Lot's of rain overnight, then beautiful all day Sunday. We broke camp and played around on the cascades, then it started to pour again for our entire hike out, too! Barely made it out, as Brown Mtn. Beach Rd was flooded out, Hwy 90 was nearly flooded out, we drove over a few dodgy looking spots. I heard 90 was shut down shortly after we made our way out! Whoo, buddy!!

**TallPaul** · 07-08-2013, 12:08

Originally Posted by Michelle the Camper

ho lee smokes! This is a beautiful area!

Thanks for the report. Glad to hear you enjoyed it even with all the rain. I'm sure the creeks were flowing good!
It was a coin toss if I was going there this past weekend as well. I opted for elsewhere and deciding to save this place for warmer and less wet weather.

**TATO** · 07-08-2013, 12:52

I too opted out on going here this weekend..... Those streams can be a real booger when there's a lot if rain. Instead caught up on some TATO Gear work I've been putting off and caught a movie with the wife and my son.

**darkbyrd** · 07-19-2013, 00:00

Originally Posted by Michelle the Camper

ho lee smokes! This is a beautiful area! It was so exciting being there this weekend! It was pouring rain as we got out of the car at The Little Lost Cove Cliffs trailhead. We hiked through 4-6" of runnning water on the trail, most of the way. We went over the mountain on the Little Lost Cove trail, then down the N. Harper Creek Falls trail. It finally stopped raining after flooded creek crossing # 3, so we set up camp. Lot's of rain overnight, then beautiful all day Sunday. We broke camp and played around on the cascades, then it started to pour again for our entire hike out, too! Barely made it out, as Brown Mtn. Beach Rd was flooded out, Hwy 90 was nearly flooded out, we drove over a few dodgy looking spots. I heard 90 was shut down shortly after we made our way out! Whoo, buddy!!

Wow, you picked a hell of a weekend to visit my stomping grounds! Collettsville got hit with a microburst, got an insane amount of rain and hail in a short time, causing landslides and flood damage. It is a great place, with something for everyone.

**darkbyrd** · 07-19-2013, 00:09

TallPaul, I recommend stopping by the visitor center on Brown Mountain Beach Rd, and picking up a map there. Excellent hiking throughout, depending on what you want to get into. As mentioned, Hunt Fish and Harper Falls make excellent swimming holes for jumping in, and the gorge section is worthy of a visit (although very crowded on nice weekends). The hike Michelle did is particularly nice, with great views off the Little Lost Cove Cliffs.

N harper falls:

View from LLCC:

**Michelle the Camper** · 07-23-2013, 07:24

Nice photos. I talked to a young guy who works for my company last week who told me he kayaked down N. Harper Falls during a flood stage. Crazy!!

**Gqgeek81** · 07-23-2013, 17:08

What map should I (can I) order online? I want to take a looks and maybe go this fall.

**darkbyrd** · 07-23-2013, 17:09

Originally Posted by Gqgeek81

What map should I (can I) order online? I want to take a looks and maybe go this fall.

http://theforeststore.com/product/wi...r-trail-guide/

**davekrehl** · 08-14-2013, 18:40

My 9 yr old and I went twice last summer to that area & he has not stopped talking about it or pestering me to go back. He loved playing in the water and the hikes were not bad at all. We parked at lost cove trailhead and started east. followed that down and around to then climb bee mtn. And pick up timber ridge trail background to car. Awesome weekend.