Saturday November 29: Wake up on top of Little Table Rock Mountain, take lots of pics and backpack out then head down to Wilson Creek for some MTBing

click on the first pic and scroll left and right for a taste of this incredible spot:
Early morning gorge views:The Conley Cove Trail cuts right through the landslide in the gorge wall, click the pic above to enlarge and you should be able to see the trail snaking through.
Shortoff Mountain on down the Gorge:
My campsite was right between Hawksbill (to the right below), Table Rock, and the Linville Gorge (to left in pic below).From my campsite looking back past Table Rock towards Morganton. You can see the town lights at night.
One of the last big overlooks on the way down Little Table Rock Trail^
Then an awesome trail back to Spence Ridge v!
The trail where it crosses the creek.
The hike out was a lot easier then the night hike in at 7:00 pm.
^ Leaving Gingercake acres behind me and down 181 to Wilson Creek for some biking. After a big Thanksgiving day turkey and lunch meat sandwich and another energy drink I was prepared to saddle up for a Big O ride.
Ride start time: 12:36 pm finish time: 2:20 pm
Total mileage: 9.5 miles
Average moving speed: 6.7 mph
Total time: 1:44 Moving time: 1:24 Stopped time: 19:35 min:sec # of stops: 3
Birthday Knob
A true Rhodo tunnel of the sweetest kind:That is Wilson Creek down there:
It was another excellent day in the mountains, morning to evening! Threat of rain all day but only saw a few lite sprinkles and a lot of moisture in the air. Temperatures never less than 50s during my bike ride and probably up in the lower 60s at the warmest part of the day - not bad for late November.
Amos' Epics

Friday November 28, the day after Thanksgiving ride with Steven and evening hike up to Little Table Rock for a short back packing trip

Ride start time: 12:14 pm finish time: 4:32 pm
One broken chain, one flat tire
Max elevation: 4,745' Min elevation: 1,581'
Total time: 4:18 Moving time: 2:37 Stopped time: 1:40 # of stops: 13
Mileage: 14.8 miles Avg moving speed: 5.6 mph
After the ride I headed home for some Thanksgiving leftovers and visted with Noel and Starla for a little while. After a short drive up Hwy 181 I parked at the Spence Ridge Trailhead and did a night hike up to Little Table Rock. I started my hike at around 6:30 or 7:00 pm. Thankfully my $15 Black Diamond headlamp and 3 AA batteries held out until I could setup my bivy at my new campsite and get a fire going. My bivy pad was nice and flat and that was good since my air pad didnt hold air. My old cold weather Slumberjack bag is bulky and heavy but I was warm.My campsite at Little Table Rock.
I carried in the bare minimum, besides the gear I mentioned I also had 2 bottles of water, an energy drink and a couple of snack bars. I used everything I took except the first aid stuff like bandages and neosporin. I didnt want to carry any unneeded or heavy supplies, it was just a quick overnighter afterall. It was an efficient and easy hike in and out. Looking forward to much more of the same soon.Amos' Epics

Thanksgiving Morning Hedleys Loop

I made it a fast ride to get back home in time to take Noel to the 12:45 viewing of Twilight. Clara Ann's dinner was off the hook. I cant believe I was able to eat sooo much!
Ride start time: 9:53am Finish time: 10:50am
Distance: 6.5 miles
Avg moving speed: 7.4 mph
Total time: 57:o7 min:sec Moving time: 51:39 Stopped time: 5:29
Pre-ride festivities:My one stop was at the "Molly Hatchet Mounds" overlook:
Amos' Epics