One of the many coves in Lake Norman State Park

While Lake Norman State Park is well outside the Charlotte City Limits, it still offers relatively quick, easy access to some great trails with views of North Carolina’s Largest lake. The park offers some of the best trail running and mountain biking terrain in the immediate Charlotte area and is accessible for after-work trips if you are located in the north part of town. From downtown Charlotte, it takes about one hour, door-to-trail to access the park. While not extremely technical in nature, the trails are fast, smooth and fun. The park also offers easy access for boats, including canoes and kayaks.

A view from the trail

La Sportiva's Imogene

The days of lacing up a big, burly pair of leather hiking boots every time you go on a day hike are long gone. Today, there are dozens of footwear options ranging from light-hikers for those who need some extra support down to lightweight trail runners for minimalists shaving grams off of every piece of gear.

Regardless of your preferences, a good pair of all-around trail runners is a necessity for almost anyone who spends any time in the backcountry. La Sportiva’s Imogene and Montrail’s Mountain Masochist are both do-it-all performance trail runners. It doesn’t matter if you actually run or not, thee shoes can take you anywhere, from an hour-long hike on a greenway to a multi-day overnight backpacking trip.

Both shoes are described as light, highly breathable performance running shoes by their manufacturers, but in months of testing, each shoe clearly has a very different personality.

It is important to note that trail runners provide support through a totally different mechanism than hiking boots. Big boots gain most of their support by wrapping the foot and ankle up with burly uppers and sometimes complex lacing systems. Trail runners generally have very lightweight uppers so they use the midsole with various densities of cushioning in different areas to provide support from below the foot. No Trail runner will provide enough support to lug 50 pounds of gear through the woods for weeks at a time, but for anything from day trips to long weekends, either of these two shoes would be a top choice.

The biggest point of difference between the two shoes is the weight. The Imogene, at nearly 14 oz. per shoe, out-weighs the Mountain Masochist, which is just over 10 oz. per shoe, by a good 25%. However, La Sportiva puts this extra weight to good use, especially if you plan on using the shoes for longer trips.

The extra weight in the Imogene likely comes from the synthetic leather uppers and the firm, supportive midsole. The midsole is so firm that these shoes actually need some break-in time. The extra support and cushioning is very welcome after a long day on the trail, especially if you are carrying more weight on a regular basis.

The first thing you notice from the Mountain Masochist is the fit. This shoe fit nearly everyone perfectly and it’s super comfortable right out of the box. The midsole is much softer than the Imogene, and provides a plush, road running shoe-like ride. At first, the soft feel and extreme comfort had our testers worried – we weren’t sure if a shoe this comfortable could provide enough support for longer, overnight backcountry trips. It did.

While the Mountain Masochist is not quite as supportive as the Imogene, if you are somewhat athletic, this shoe still has enough structure to get the job done for couple of nights in the woods.

The Bottom Line:

Both of these shoes are great. If you are carrying more weight on a regular basis, the Imogene provides a bit more structure and support. If you are more athletic and prefer the light and fast approach, go for the Mountain Masochist.

Specs:

La Sportiva Imogene

13.76 oz / 390 g

AirMesh/ Synthetic Leather upper with mesh lining on back half and tongue

MEMIex/ TrailShock with Nylon molded shank/ 4mm LaSpEVA

La Sportiva Website

$95.00

Montrail Mountain Masochist

10.8 oz / 300 g

Light and breathable hydrophobic mesh upper with Gusseted tongue construction and webbing and strap closure system

Triple density Vapor Response™ EVA midsole with Full foot Trail Shield

Montrail Website

$95.00

Posted in Backpacking, Footwear, Gear Review, Hiking, Trail Running Tagged: Gear Review, Hiking, outdoor recreation, Trail Running ]]> http://outsidecharlotte.wordpress.com/2009/07/18/montrails-mountain-massochist-vs-la-sportivas-imogene/feed/ 0 krisversteegen La Sportiva Imogene Montrail Mountain Massochist http://outsidecharlotte.wordpress.com/2009/07/10/stone-mountain-state-park/ http://outsidecharlotte.wordpress.com/2009/07/10/stone-mountain-state-park/#comments Fri, 10 Jul 2009 21:37:27 +0000 Kris http://outsidecharlotte.wordpress.com/?p=178 ]]>

A view from the Stone Mountain Loop Trail

The first time I laid eyes on Stone Mountain was when I was 16. I was there to climb The Great Arch, and I had no idea what I was doing. To make a long story short, I struggled, I scared myself silly, but I eventually made it up the route we chose, thanks to a pair of older, more experienced climbers who were kind enough to give me some much needed advice on what climbing at Stone Mountain is all about.

The Great Arch on Stone Mountain

Since then Stone Mountain has become the perfect Fall and Winter getaway destination. The park is only at 1,700 feet with the summit of Stone Mountain at 2,300 feet at above sea level, so it’s climate is relatively similar to Charlotte’s. The one big difference is that it has a huge, 600-foot tall, granite south-facing dome that acts like a giant sun reflector into the valley between Stone Mountain and Wolf Mountain. This feature keeps the valley relatively warm through the winter months, although the area still has fickle weather and a storm can still drop several inches of snow or rain on you at any time.

The Homestead at Stone Mountain

Getting There:

Stone Mountain is in a relatively remote part of North Carolina. The only convenient accommodations are within the park and they all involve a tent. There are a few local markets where you can stock up on food, but the closest restaurants are in Elkin so be prepared to cook your own meals if you plan on spending more than one day in the park.

The Bald Ridgeline in Shining Rock Wilderness Area heading to Cold Mountain

Shining Rock has something for every type of hiker. There are some trails that force you to grovel your way up an inch at a time for a few hundred feet of elevation gain, and there are others that are a casual walk to over 6,000 feet above sea level. Both options reward you with amazing views, abundant wildlife, and comfortable, remote campsites.

Whether you are looking for a multi-day backpacking trip, or a two-hour day hike, Shining rock and the surrounding area can make for a great weekend. The Wilderness Area can be accessed in a single day from Charlotte, but it is certainly better to plan for a weekend to really experience the area.

Wildflowers in Shining Rock Wilderness Area

Shining Rock Wilderness can be accessed from several different trail heads. The easiest is off of the Blue Ridge Parkway near Brevard at the Balsam Knob Trail head. There is another trail head off of US 276, that is also easily accessible, with a great two day loop trail to Shining Rock and back. This loop is much steeper and more technical than the trails from Balsam Knob, so be prepared for a tough hike.

Getting There:

Wild Mountain laurel in full bloom in Shining Rock Wilderness Area

From Charlotte, take I-85 South for about 30 minutes to Hwy 74 West (exit 10B) towards Shelby. This road is stop and go until you pass Shelby, and then it opens up for easier driving. Stay on 74 for a little more than ah hour and then take I-26 West towards Asheville. Near Hendersonville, before you get to Asheville, take Hwy 64 W towards Brevard (exit 49B). Hwy 64 weaves through downtown Hendersonville, so keep a close eye on the signs. Hwy 64 goes straight into Brevard. Once in town, 64 will turn right at a stoplight, but to get to Shining Rock, you want to continue straight on US 276 into Pisgah National Forest. Follow 276 for 18 miles to the Blue Ridge Parkway exit on the right. At the top of the exit ramp, turn left onto the parkway.

The view from Flower Gap on the Art Loeb Trail

Here’s a link to Google Maps directions to the Balsam Knob parking area:

View Map

Brevard has plenty of accommodations and the Pisgah Inn is highly recommended if you want to spend a more luxurious weekend away from home with the family.

Stop by Looking Glass Outfitters in Brevard on your way up to Shining Rock. The crew working behind the counter has plenty of experience in the area and can recommend gear, day hikes and other adventures for any experience level. It’s also a great place to pick up a clif bar or other trail treats before a long day.

Gear: Shining Rock Wilderness Area is in a high mountain environment, and it is a wilderness area, so be prepared for anything at any time of year. Snow or freezing rain is entirely possible any time of year. The temperature can swing from the upper 80′s during the day to the low 40′s at night during the peak summer weeks. Bring rain gear and an extra layer of insulation for every member of the family, even for the shortest day hikes.

The Blue Ridge Mountain go on forever along the Art Loeb Trail

The trails are rugged and can be extremely overgrown. It is possible to hike in with young children in a backpack, but be very careful about low-hanging branches and undergrowth. Outside Charlotte recommends only taking children who can hike at least five miles under their own power into Shining Rock.

Bring plenty of water; the altitude will dehydrate you faster than at sea level. There are several springs and water sources, but a water filter or water treatment tabs are highly recommended.

If you do not bring a camera, you will regret it.

Links:

Wikipedia

Looking Glass Outfitters

Pisgah Inn

Directions from Charlotte

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Rab's Lightweight Drillium Jacket

Rab is a relative newcomer to the U.S. market, but the company has been producing award-winning apparel in the U.K. for over two decades. The brands name comes from the company’s founder, Rab Carrington, one of the best climbers and alpinists in Europe.

Rab’s outerwear and insulation pieces are subtle. There are no fancy piped seams or swervy zippers or funky patterns. Their jackets simply work, and they work hard.

The Drillium is probably the most versatile Jacket in my closet right now. I’ve worn it cycling in the rain, climbing in all kinds of conditions and hiking in temperatures ranging from 90 degrees down to 20 degrees. I even tried golfing in it once. In every situation it did what it needed to do – kept me dry.

The Drillium is light, compact and very breathable. It takes up about 1/2 of the space in my pack compared to most waterproof breathable jackets I own. The hood also has some great features – especially the moldable wire brim you can adjust depending on the direction of the rain and wind.

However, most of Rab’s pieces have a very Euro cut to them, and the ultralight Drillium fits even tighter than most. While the jacket is well designed and moves with you, I still needed to size up. The feel of the fabric is also not as supple as some of my other waterproof breathables.

Pros:

• Lightweight
• Compressable
• Very Breathable
• Great Hood
• Versatile

Cons:

• Sized Smaller than Most
• Stiff, Crinkly Fabric

Price: $220-$275

The Bald Ridge-lines of Grayson Highlands

Grayson Highlands State Park was originally named Mount Rogers State Park and was established in 1965. Today, it is the best gateway to ascend Mount Rogers (elev. 5,729 feet), which is about a four-hour day hike round trip. Most of the park is right around 5,000 feet above sea level, making it about 15 -20 degrees cooler than Charlotte in the hottest summer months (the rule of thumb is 3-4 degrees cooler per 1,000 feet of elevation gain).

Grayson Highlands has several unique characteristics. First and foremost is the terrain. The park has the highest concentration of bald peaks and ridge-lines I have seen in the Southeast. This gives the peaks an Alpine feel that you can normally only experience n the bigger mountains out west that are over 10,000 feet.

The wildlife is spectacular in the park. Grayson Highlands has been named one of the most important areas for wild birds in the Virginia mountains. More notable than the birds are the wild ponies. They are a great attraction for kids, and are very accustomed to hikers. The herds were introduced to the park, and the rangers manage the population to sustainable levels by selling off excess colts at auction. Here are a few photos of the ponies grazing form my last trip:

Trails: Grayson Highlands has more trails than most people can travel in a weekend. Also, it links up to the Appalachian Trail (A.T.), so there are literally thousands of miles of trails you can access from the park. The best resource is National Geographic’s Mount Rogers map. It’s available at the park entrance for about $12, or check out Jesse Brown’s Outdoors for maps and trail guides. before you leave town.

LOCATION: The park is on U.S. Highway 58 between Independence, VA and Damascus, VA and is reached from I-77, via the U.S. Hwy 21 exit North of Elkin. Follow U.S. 21 to Independence and turn left on U.S. 58. Travel west on U.S. 58 to Volney and turn left to stay on U.S. 58. Go eight miles to the park entrance on the right.

U.S. 58 is part of The Crooked Road Music Trail, and there are plenty of interesting stops along the way.
Make sure you allow for some extra time if anyone in your family is prone to car sickness.

There is an entrance fee of $3 per car at the park gate.

If you want to make a great weekend trip, continue along The Crooked Road past Grayson Highlands and you will reach the Legendary A.T. town of Damascus. There are numerous Bed and Breakfasts that cater to hikers and backpackers. The town will give you access to the Virginia Creeper Trail, which makes for an excellent day of off road cycling, and access to some spectacular sections of the A.T.

Here’s a link to Google Maps Directions:

View Larger Map

GEAR

Grayson Highlands is at a significantly higher altitude than Charlotte. Weather can be chaotic and just because it’s the middle of Summer, do not underestimate the impact of a storm. There are more cases of hypothermia in the mountains during the summer months than any other time of the year. BRING A RAIN JACKET FOR EVERY FAMILY MEMBER.

The trails are rugged, so wear some good hiking shoes or boots. Trail runners or similar may not be enough for some of the rocky terrain in the park. Also, if you do not bring a camera, you will regret it.

If you are hiking with young children, you will need a kid-carrier backpack. Strollers WILL NOT handle the vast majority of the trails in the park. And please, do not forget to bring a rain jacket and extra insulation layer for all of the kids. The wind is strong all year round, so think ahead.

Here are a few more photos:

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Mountain Island Lake

We visited primarily for the nature preserve and the hiking. Most of the trails are designed with the nearby equestrian center in mind, so they are wide gravel affairs. While this detracts considerably from the wilderness feel of the area, the horses kept our daughter entertained the whole time. Also, there are several hiking-only side trails that allow you to get off the big horse thoroughfares.

In addition to the trails, the equestrian center, the historic plantation, and the nature center, Latta also has a Raptor Center. Overall , it’s an amazing family park only a few minutes from downtown Charlotte.

Location and Directions:

View Larger Map

Latta is located about 20 minutes from downtown Charlotte on Sample Road off of Beatties Ford Road. There is plenty of parking at all of the trailheads. The Nature Center is the first building you see when you enter the park and its a great place to pick up a park map and get your bearings.

Gear:

All of the trails are well maintained and well marked. You don’t need anything more than standard hiking gear. If you are hiking with young kids, I recommend a kid carrier backpack, although there are some shorter trails that can accomidate a jogging stroller. Leave your unbrella strollers at home; they will be practically useless.

Canoe and kayak access is available at the park, however they do not offer rentals.

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