Backpacking Panthertown Valley with my beagle Lacey - I wander around and don't get lost.
The July weather forecast of 80's/60's had me looking for places to backpack. I initially thought of Linville Gorge, but I wasn't sure my beagle Lacey was up for the river crossing. And I questioned our desire to take on the ITAYG loop I had been eying. So at the 11th hour, I pulled out the Backpacking North Carolina book by Joe Miller for inspiration. Then it hit me - Panthertown Valley. I've been wanting to go there for years.
Because of my late inspiration on where to go, I didn't do my typical pre-trip research. You know, reading threads on here about past routes or watching YouTube videos.
Instead, after arriving at the trailhead, I went from place to place based on recommendations from people I met on the trail, or if I saw something that looked cool. I took one trail because it had a cool arch of rhododendron that you accessed by crossing a creek on rocks - it felt like something from Tolkien. I was even ready with the Elvish word for friend in case it was needed. And the nice part about Panthertown Valley is it isn't huge, so you can wander around and never be too far away. Well, I suppose if you got lost it would feel immense.
Speaking of not getting lost... I was always careful to know my location. There many unmarked intersections in the area. I recommend "A Guides Guide to Panthertown Valley" map. It shows the USFS trails and other unofficial trails. I picked up the map in Brevard and used Gaia GPS on my phone. Proceeds for the map go to Friends of Panthertown.
And it is a good map. I like how unofficial trails are marked with large dots or small dots - the smaller ones being less traveled, more bushwhacky, and generally harder to find where they start (in my limited experience)>
Anyway, I ended up visiting many of the main attractions. Schoolhouse Falls; Devils Elbow; Red Butt Falls; Jawbone Falls; Sandbar Pools; Granny Burrell Falls; Frolictown Falls; and Big Green Mountain. I'm sure I missed some, but that will leave more to visit the next time I'm there.
Finally, I did see a black bear on both days I was there. The first was moving across the trail as we came upon it, so it was a pretty quick. Lacey got pretty exciting to be on the scent before I even knew what was happening. She added a new smell to her collection.
The second day I saw a bear after we had setup camp. I knew bears frequented the area, so it wasn't a surprise. And its why I was using a bear canister (recommended for here but not currently required). But after having the bear visit camp again 30 minutes later, we decided to pack up & cut the trip a bit short. I got my night hiking PTown Valley badge along with my nighttime creek crossing badge on the way out, so that was fun. Well if you get wet feet do you still get the badge?
Bookmarks