Linville Gorge 3 Night Backpacking Trip

 Man, what a great time and thanks to Scott for joining us for our trip to the "Grand Canyon of the East"!  We had a fantastic time over 4 days on one of the most technical trails around the Southeast.  All the trails are unblazed and unmaintained, but we made it from the Piney Gap trailhead to our exit at the top of Rockjock trailhead.  There were some thunderstoms, but they just kept us cool when we needed it most.

• Day 1:  Hiked into the Gorge on Piney Gap: a technical trail with lush over and undergrowth.  45 minutes in we  had our first thunderstorm and man was it a rough one.  Spirits stayed high as we made it to the Linville River which sculpted the gorge.  We found a overhang and took shelter until it passed then headed downriver.  We crossed over Bynum Bluff and got some great views of the upper canyon.  As we neared Bable Tower we called it for the day and camped beside a great waterfall!  From then on it was an evening dip in the river and campfire stories.  
• Day 2: A good morning of swimming and fishing.  We caught a couple small mouth bass that made a tasty addition to breakfast.  Headed up the cliffs to catch the view from the Bable Tower Trail.  We hit some really technical trails along the sides of the cliffs, took some breaks to enjoy the river.  Scott kept us up to date on fascinating plants and insects with his degree in biology.  Spent our second night just past the Conoly Cove Trail at a sight with a great view and a huge swimming hole.
• Day 3: Was supposed to be some easier hiking along the Linville Gorge Trail, but the unmarked nature of the Gorge took it's tole.  We zigged when we should have zagged and ended up on a off-trail that clung to the very edge of the river... even when there was no edge to cling to.  This was one of the most difficult trails I've ever hiked.  The trail had washed out in a couple areas and at times was no more than a series of footholds along a rocky cliff.  Our crew was not one to turn back, so when the mountain cliffs permitted, we headed backcountry and searched for the main trail somewhere overhead.  We found the trail and continued on to our final campsite and feasted on our remaining food.  More swimming and fishing passed the time till dark and Scott taught us one of the best trail card games I've ever played.
• Day 4:  Up early and skipped a hot breakfast in the interest of hiking in the cool of the day.  The hike up Conely Cove to the Rockjock trail was tough, but we all agreed it was the easiest way up from our past experience.  The trail provided lots of tasty blackberries to sustain us as we climbed the thousand or so feet out of that portion of the Gorge.  

Made some great new friends and hope to do the south end of the Gorge soon.  

 We will start at the trailhead for Pine Gap, which is off old state Highway 105 (county line road) which runs north to south along the western rim of the gorge.  You can access it from lake James to the south, or Linville Falls to the North.  The Pine Gap trailhead has parking and is located closer to the north end of the gorge.  We chose Pine Gap, because it is a easier, but technical hike into the gorge and ends at the Linville Gorge trail where there is plenty of water and swimming oportunities.  We are taking a fishing rod with hopes of catching trout for at least 1 meal.  We wil hike out of the Bynum Bluff trail which is strenuous, but not near as strenuous as many trails in the wilderness area.  It does provide good shade and some nice vistas of the gorge.  We plan to be out of the gorge by 2pm on Sunday.  Our dog Molly will be joining us for the trip, she's very friendlly but though people with allergies might want to know.  We have some gear, and we can plan to share common items like lamps, stoves and water filters to make packs lighter. My username is Heartstrong.  Please friend me and we can work out any details of gear sharing.