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Western North Carolina

March 26, 2011 by

In the western part of Cherokee County lies the Western North Carolina regions which includes various towns such as Andrews, Murphy, Peachtree, Ranger, Marble and a few others. Whats fascinating about this region is the Blue Ridge Mountain and the surrounding Great Smoky Mountains. The who valley is is spread on hundreds of miles. There are numerous rivers and waterways that are found in this picturesque valley that pull people again and again to this region.

The mountain range is steep and reaches to the sky which brings trekkers to this place from around the world. If someone lists top ten trekking destinations in America, this would definitely be in the list at the top five. There are no well-defined trails for trekking here, which makes it more fun. The joy of getting lost in civilization the same way that Cherokee Indians did thousands of years ago is a joy that cannot be defined in words. There are many ancient sites located in this Western North Carolina region. Most of them are found, a few are yet to be found, you could be one of the few people who actually does find a new ancient artifact. Many destinations in this region are still known by their old native tribal names that were given by the Cherokee tribes that lived here for thousands of years. This region was the last stronghold of the Cherokee tribe who protected this land as their motherland. This place is dotted with numerous waterways and districts which make this area fertile. All the waterways are still known by their tribal names. The area is marked by the Nantahala National Forest in the north and east which border this vast region.

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Hanging Out at Hanging Dog Recreation Area

December 19, 2010 by

The Nantahala National Forest is home to Lake Hiawassee, a beautiful body of water that is the perfect spot for hikers, campers and outdoor enthusiasts. Here, you can rest for a few nights and explore the area at Hanging Dog Recreation Area. It has achieved its unique name from Hanging Dog Creek nearby, which was the place where the final battle of the Civil War was fought. Families, groups and individuals come here to get outside and into the fun of the outdoors.

The area offers numerous options for exploration, including boating, hiking, camping and fishing. You can launch your boat at either the Ramsey Bluff Boat Ramp or the Hanging Dog Boat Ramp and paddle off onto the lake for some time on the water. Your family can even take a leisurely lunch at the handy picnic area. Bikers can even take to the trails, weaving along the interconnected loop of the Ramsey Bluff Mountain Bike and Hiking Trail System nearby. These trails have several areas to access the campgrounds and lake.

For those that love to fish, the Hiawassee Lake is the perfect place to go. The lake features a number of fish species, including crappie, bream, white bass, walleye pike, smallmouth bass and largemouth bass. It has a total of 180 miles of shore that you can set up on and cast out into the water. Trout fisherman can take advantage of two different streams in the area that are open to public trout fishing. Before fishing, make sure that you are aware of any required state license, fishing seasons and daily limits on the different species of fish.

The Hanging Dog Recreational Area is a wonderful way to spend a day or even a week in the outdoors. You and your family can spend time together exploring, camping and taking in the sights.

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Exploring the Nantahala Naitonal Forest

December 17, 2010 by

The Nantahala National Forest is one of Cherokee County, North Carolina’s most beautiful areas, with wild forest and a number of opportunities to play and have a great time in the outdoors. You and your family will have numerous chances to see the sights and find activities that you can all have fun doing. It spans an area totaling 500,000 acres, ranking it as the biggest of North Carolina’s four national forests. At the Hiawassee River, you can reach an elevation of 1,200 feet at the Appalachian Lake Dam.

Nantahala means “land of the noon day day” from its Native American background. This is because at noon, the sun just reaches its rays into the valley at this time of day. You and your family can make a day of it at the Nantahala Outoor Center near the Nantahala River. On an annual basis, approximately 250,000 visitors come here to ride the rapids. You can also take a drive through the area, taking in the incredible views and check out the region’s waterfalls.

For outdoor explorers, you can take advantage of a number of other outdoor activities. These include: off-roading, hiking, fishing, camping, riding horses, swimming and using the available boat ramps to launch your boat from. This way, you can find your favorite way to explore the outdoors. There are various places where rental equipment is available, and various fees may be charged.

The Nantahala Naitonal Forest will also allow the chance to see wildlife in their natural habitat, unfettered by societal constraints. There is no end to the fun and possibilities that you can find. Make sure that you add this area to your must do list when entering Cherokee County on your next trip through the area. You will not regret the time that you spend here and the lifelong memories that you will make.

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