Weekend Trip: Lake James and Linville Gorge Wilderness

Type of Outing: Hike/Camp/Paddle
Difficulty: Strenuous (Hike) | Easy (Paddle)
Total Miles: 14.5 (Hike) | 6.5 (Paddle
Elevation Gain: 3600ft (Hike) | N/A (Paddle)
Pacing: 2.5mph (Hike) | Moderate (Paddle)

Please join me for a weekend getaway at the scenic Lake James State Park in the heart of the Catawba Valley! This event will be an overnight trip and will consist of camping at Lake James, hiking at the Linville Gorge, and paddling the Paddy’s Creek section of Lake James.

Day 1: Meet at Wolf Pit Rd at 9:00AM. We will hike the MST from Wolf Pit, up Shortoff Mountain, and ideally all the way to the Chimneys if time permits. While the hike is strenuous, it is an out-and-back, so you may make it shorter by turning around at any point if you like!

We will then go to Fonta Flora Brewery after the hike and end up back at Lake James Family Campground likely around 5:00pm that evening where we’ll have a bonfire at my campsite.

Day 2: On our second day, we will paddle around the Paddy’s Creek section of Lake James - not far from the campsite, starting at 11AM. Checkout is at 12PM. This paddle will only be about 6 - 7 miles and we’ll paddle a loop around the shoreline. No kayak? Search the web for some kayak rentals around Lake James; there are likely several small business that will rent you a kayak for the day and transport it for you. We will put in at the boat launch near the swimming area.

You do not have to participate in all activities to come and enjoy this weekend with us! If nothing else, come have some drinks by the fire. Be quick about booking your campsite though because they may fill up fast! Especially during this scenic time of year. Just remember - when booking a campsite, we’ll be camping at the Paddy’s Creek area.

CAMPING AREA COMES COMPLETE WITH CLEAN FLUSH TOILETS AND A WELL-MAINTAINED BATH HOUSE FOR SHOWERS!