My camera battery was truly dead – I guess when I thought I was charging it, I wasn’t. But Carol had her trusty digital camera so we were still able to record our adventures. Be sure to click on pictures to see full screen.
Balsam Mountain Campground is reached via the Blue Ridge Parkway and Heintooga Ridge Road. It is the highest campground within the GSMNP system and the cooler temperatures attest to that. It rained on us the latter p
art of the drive and when we arrived at the campground there was a chill and dampness that would stay with us the entire visit. If you’ve never seen a registration board for a GSMNP campground or a backcountry campsite reservation board, this is it. Balsam Mountain is no reservations, first come, first served. The place was maybe half full.
The GSMNP campgrounds are staffed by rangers and also by campground hosts,
who you want to meet as your new best friend. Chuck has been hosting at Balsam Mountain for the past 4 years. Although originally from Tennessee, he will tell you that the NC side of the Smokies is prettier. Chuck moved away to…Wisconsin? Minnesota? When asked why, he’ll tell you about a “blue-eyed, blonde-haired woman.” They both come back in the summers to host at Balsam Mountain. Chuck is an absolute gem, funny stories, good information, interested in what you’re doing, a great ambassador for the Park.
Chuck gave us the scoop on the Heintooga Ridge Overlook and the sunset show every evening. After we got camp set up, C
arol and I walked the mile to the picnic area originally built by the CCC, including the incredible stone slab tables. The area is quite large, including restrooms, and it is easy to picture a church congregation or family reunion spending a beautiful cool summer afternoon there.
The Heintooga Ridge Overlook is a short walk down the Flat Creek Trail. A coup
le of front row benches are there for you to sit back and enjoy the show, which was awesome. Chuck is there to watch it most nights so he can then lock the gate, and he says he doesn’t leave until the very end “because sometimes wonderful things happen.”
Balsam Mountain Campground is reached via the Blue Ridge Parkway and Heintooga Ridge Road. It is the highest campground within the GSMNP system and the cooler temperatures attest to that. It rained on us the latter p
art of the drive and when we arrived at the campground there was a chill and dampness that would stay with us the entire visit. If you’ve never seen a registration board for a GSMNP campground or a backcountry campsite reservation board, this is it. Balsam Mountain is no reservations, first come, first served. The place was maybe half full.The GSMNP campgrounds are staffed by rangers and also by campground hosts,
who you want to meet as your new best friend. Chuck has been hosting at Balsam Mountain for the past 4 years. Although originally from Tennessee, he will tell you that the NC side of the Smokies is prettier. Chuck moved away to…Wisconsin? Minnesota? When asked why, he’ll tell you about a “blue-eyed, blonde-haired woman.” They both come back in the summers to host at Balsam Mountain. Chuck is an absolute gem, funny stories, good information, interested in what you’re doing, a great ambassador for the Park.Chuck gave us the scoop on the Heintooga Ridge Overlook and the sunset show every evening. After we got camp set up, C
arol and I walked the mile to the picnic area originally built by the CCC, including the incredible stone slab tables. The area is quite large, including restrooms, and it is easy to picture a church congregation or family reunion spending a beautiful cool summer afternoon there.The Heintooga Ridge Overlook is a short walk down the Flat Creek Trail. A coup
le of front row benches are there for you to sit back and enjoy the show, which was awesome. Chuck is there to watch it most nights so he can then lock the gate, and he says he doesn’t leave until the very end “because sometimes wonderful things happen.”
2 comments:
It was nice to meet you on top of Balsam Mountain the other day. Of course the day we had to leave it stopped raining. Good luck in your venture.
Michelle and Patrick McDonald
Naples, Florida
Hi Michelle and Patrick -
Great to hear from you! I hope your daughter enjoyed her camp experience and you two had fun in the Smokies. Keep checking back!
Sharon
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