Post by Angela on Sept 20, 2012 6:37:19 GMT -5
Had a great trip to Tsali this past weekend, in the group were three that had never been there before, everyone had a great time. Ran into another group from Augusta. The weekend was great with terrific weather - for those that haven't been - this has long been a mountain biking mecca and the Tsali Recreation Area trails wind along Fontana Lake near Bryson City in the western part of North Carolina. One of the biggest draws is a very nice campground complete with showers that is plunked down right in the center of these trails. So once you park for the weekend you literally can get to all the trails (nearly 40 miles worth) without getting back in your car. There are definitely hills on these trails but mostly flow trail with few technical challenges.
This downed tree out on Windy Point caused a serious reroute that was very difficult to navigate due to its steepness!
Great views along the lake -
The house we stayed in had a great fire pit and with the cooler weather......
Over at the NOC (Nantahala Outdoor Center) the kayakers were playing - fall is a favorite for white water rafting and kayaking - lots of people playing in the river!
Had some great food there at River's End - now that NOC has earned resort status (tennis court added) they serve beverages at River's End -
and across the river at Slow Joe's -
Slow Joe's now has bands/performers on Friday nights at least into September -
On a sad note - the NOC has moved their bike gear out of the main building (seen here) and across the river to the Adventure
Center which carries a lot less bike stuff now -
Spotted this little guy in the river, went down to take his pic but ducks swam up and he bolted, a few minutes later he popped back up to the surface -
Some of us caught the Jack Rabbit Mountain Trails on the way home. They are kind of like a mini-FATS with a great view (the trail winds along the shores of a peninsula on Lake Chatuge in North Carolina) - mostly flow trail about 14 or 15 miles long I'll post a bit more later! Fall apple season is really getting going with most of the apple festivals schedules for October!
This downed tree out on Windy Point caused a serious reroute that was very difficult to navigate due to its steepness!
Great views along the lake -
The house we stayed in had a great fire pit and with the cooler weather......
Over at the NOC (Nantahala Outdoor Center) the kayakers were playing - fall is a favorite for white water rafting and kayaking - lots of people playing in the river!
Had some great food there at River's End - now that NOC has earned resort status (tennis court added) they serve beverages at River's End -
and across the river at Slow Joe's -
Slow Joe's now has bands/performers on Friday nights at least into September -
On a sad note - the NOC has moved their bike gear out of the main building (seen here) and across the river to the Adventure
Center which carries a lot less bike stuff now -
Spotted this little guy in the river, went down to take his pic but ducks swam up and he bolted, a few minutes later he popped back up to the surface -
Some of us caught the Jack Rabbit Mountain Trails on the way home. They are kind of like a mini-FATS with a great view (the trail winds along the shores of a peninsula on Lake Chatuge in North Carolina) - mostly flow trail about 14 or 15 miles long I'll post a bit more later! Fall apple season is really getting going with most of the apple festivals schedules for October!