Chimney Rock hike (October 30, 2023)

While the kids were at school, Ryder, Brandy, and Willoughby took us to Chimney Rock State Park. We started with the 1.4 mile round trip hike to Hickory Nut Falls.

At 404 feet, Hickory Nut Falls is one of the tallest waterfalls east of the Mississippi River. At 411 feet, Upper Whitewater River Falls in North Carolina is the tallest east of the Rockies.

Papa on the Outcroppings Trail. Yes, there's an elevator from the parking lot to the Chimney Rock. But no, we had to go up, up, up the trail, which includes 500 stairs. 

We ducked through the "subway" along the trail. I bumped my head!

Papa on the other side

Some of the 500 stairs

Ryder, Brandy, and Willoughby are almost there! The climb is only 2/10 mile but takes nearly 30 minutes.

See the stairs behind us? We could have climbed another 200 feet to look down on Chimney Rock. But we had to get back to Asheville before school let out. 

We had to wonder about the restroom emergency evacuation plan. Looks like you leave one of three stalls and go out the door.