Montreat Overnight @ Walker's Knob 4K

Ninth backpacking trip of 2024 ... September 21-22, 2024
Included ... me, Amy, and Laura
Day 1-2 ... 10.2 miles / roughly 2815' elevation gain
We started our trip at the Graybeard parking area ... this is a pretty small parking area that l'd recommend getting there early. We headed up Graybeard trail which is a very rocky trail and you also cross the stream a couple of times - but the water levels were pretty low so we were able to cross and keep our feet dry! As we continued climbing while eagerly chatting about life ... early fall colors came into view with the yellow leaves dotting the ground! We finally about 1.4 miles from the trailhead we come to a small junction where we went left to continue up a series of switchbacks (which is the easies part of this trail). A short time later - our friend had to turn around due to life obligations, so we said our goodbyes and continued on up the trail. Around 2.8 miles, we took the side path to see Graybeard Falls - which was a nice spot for a snack but the water level was very low. After a break, we continued on ... stopping to get water at 3.6 miles before arriving at the shelter. At 3.9 miles ... we reach the shelte and setup camp! After spending awhile, chit-chatting, snacking, and setting up ... we set out to toward the summit of Graybeard ... this was a significant climb of 700’ in under a mile. Thankfully, the view was great and there was a nice breeze to help us cool down! The only unfortunate thing is that - if you sit down you can't see anything due to the shrubbery/trees around the summit. Also, the view mainly look: northeast towards Mt. Mitchell - it's a pretty limited view for all the work you just did. We enjoyed it for awhile before returning to camp to make dinner! Dinner was good (Fernweh Foods ... Green Tamale Pie & HU chocolate bar) ... we were grateful for the table to be able to stand and cook! After resting up ... we headed up to our shelters namesake ... Walkers Knob - which was only .15 miles up the trail with 90’ elevation gain. We had a great time up there watching the sun disappear behind the clouds/mountains and the lights of Black Mountain and beyond illuminate the valleys below. We returned to camp after dark and tried to have a campfire - because y'all know I love a good campfire - unfortunately it just wouldn't get going (the wood was pretty wet). So, we opted for 20 minutes of yoga before calling it a night!
The next morning ... we went back out to Walker's Knob to enjoy the early morning light and watch the fog shift in the valleys beyond. It was a beautiful morning to enjoy. We returned to camp ... had a quick breakfast before packing.up our stuff and hitting the trail. We started back down Graybeard trail before taking a left - crossing a stream - and getting on Old Trestle Road and onto Old Mitchell Toll Road which we followed southward around the ridge. This was a nice walk - but very rocky! It'd be a beautiful trail to walk in late fall or winter when the leaves are off the trees. We stayed on this trail until Pot Cove Gap ... which didn't have much of a view. From there ... we took a right onto Old Trestle Road which then came to a T-intersection where we beared right again and shortly crossed the creek again to rejoin the Graybeard trail. From here ... we continued enjoying the stream and just the general serenity of the forest. We then stayed straight to stay on Harry Bryan trail which was a nice trail ... then continued onto the Sanctuary trail to stay in the woods (instead of the other option of road walking). This was a really nice way to finish the trip ... as we passed by the scenic bridge spot over Slaty Branch and by a small pond which had some fall leaves along it's surface.
Things to note ... this would be a great beginner backpacking trip with the relatively short distance in and having the convenience of a shelter. I'd recommend taking a small packable bag if you intend on going to the summit of Graybeard (over 600' in less than a mile) just to make the hike up more enjoyable. The last water source before the shelter is about a 1/4 mile before ... it was flowing pretty well when we went. The "privy" area isn't much ... there's no actual outhouse or anything - and the "toilet" was on it's side. Just be sure to pack out your trash! The view at Walker's Knob is 100% worth the little effort required to get there - and at least if you sit down you can still see the view! I'd definitely recommend trekking poles (at least one) due to the rockiness of the trail. The trails are well blazed but I'd still recommend having one of their maps printed pr downloaded to your phone - as there's no trail maps once you leave the trailhead. Also, the parking area is quite small - so I'd recommend getting there early.
If you'd like to help ...
www.samaritans...
www.belovedash...
/ mountainmulepackersranch
gofund.me/e523... (Rise Erwin)

[@BootsontheTrail]

I love this area. It gets a lot of use by locals, especially Greybeard and the falls, but often gets overlooked by other hikers. This is one of my winter go-tos. There IS another view from Greybeard somewhat below the main one, but it is an absolute fight to get to it; I'm not certain it is worth the effort it takes to reach it compared to the main one, but you can at least sit down, 😆.