Guided Hike - Whiteside Mountain

• Difficulty: Moderate
• Total Length: 2.5 mi
• Trail Tread Condition: Moderately Rough
• Climb: Hilly
• Lowest Elevation: 4410 ft
• Highest Elevation: 4930 ft
• Total Elevation Gain: 600 ft
• Trails/Roads Used: Whiteside Mountain National Recreation Trail
• Hike Configuration: Loop w/ very short out-and-back extension
• Starting point: Whiteside Mountain Parking Area
• How to Get There: From the corner of Main Street and NC 106 in Highlands, follow US 64 East for 5.4 miles. Turn right onto Whiteside Mt. Rd. (SR 1600). There is a sign for Whiteside Mountain Recreation Area. Follow for 1 mile to the signed parking area on the left. There is a $2.00/day area use fee at Whiteside Mountain Recreation Area.

Begin the hike on the stepped trail that leads uphill behind the sign boards. It starts out fairly steep, but soon merges with an old roadbed which isn't as difficult. You'll cross a wet-weather stream, then reach where the loop splits. This intersection is signed. You may follow the loop in either direction, but I prefer bearing right at the split, up the log and rock steps. It's a steeper climb at first, but it's shorter, and you get to the views more quickly!

After starting up the steps, you'll quickly see how eroded the trail becomes in places. Although it's not terribly difficult, there are some large step-ups and deep trenches where running water has carried the soil away, and in wet weather there will be seepages and mud. It's a shame that a National Recreation Trail of this popularity has gotten into this level of disrepair, although it is granted that trail maintenance in this area is a difficult task. After the initial set of steps, the trail isn't quite as steep, but it still climbs significantly. You'll be traveling through a pleasant, cool forest of mixed hardwood trees, including a few hemlocks and an understory of laurel and rhododendron in places. The trail switches back several times in this first section. One switchback happens on an elaborate staircase structure below a small band of rock cliffs.

The trail will reach the top of the ridge, where you suddenly have a surprising view through a narrow opening in the bushes over the main cliffs on the other side. The trail continues left, uphill, staying in the woods. This isn't the best overlook - it's steep and dangerous, so continue along the trail. The climb moderates and begins traveling along the top of the mountain and the edge of the main cliffs, through a pleasant forest. From this point on, side trails to the right lead to various overlooks. At first, there is no protection - so use common sense and stay well back from the edge. Some overlooks are relatively safe, and sometimes the rocks are steeper after your emerge from the woods. There are plenty of opportunities further on to get a safe view, so avoid taking risks here!

As you climb, you'll reach the higher cliffs where the overlooks are more common, and railing has been installed along the main trail at various viewpoints. Don't trust the rusty railing to hold you, though; rather think of it as a line behind which it is safe to enjoy the view. And what a view it is! To the right, you can see the rounded granite domes characteristic of the Highlands area, along with the small settlements, resorts, golf courses, and expensive homes for which the area is famous. Straight ahead and to the left are mostly mountains, with a few farmsteads lying in the picturesque valley below. On the horizon, if it is clear enough to see that far, is the Piedmont region of South Carolina and Georgia, with lakes, towns, and various other man-made landmarks visible. To the far left is a ridge leading away from the main cliffs, where it is possible to get a sense of how steep and sheer the rock faces on Whiteside really are.

The trail will finish climbing over rock outcrops and reach the summit about halfway along the cliffs. A triangular-shaped overlook with a large rock sticking up marks the spot, and on the back of the rock the name of the mountain and elevation is carved deeply. The trees - mostly oaks but throw in a few pines, maples and other hardwoods - are short and stumpy, and mountain laurel grows profusely all along the rocky summits. Spring - when the mountain laurel blooms in mid June - is an excellent time to visit.

After beginning downhill, you begin to get a view back toward the highest point on the mountain and the highest cliffs. The overlooks become less frequent, but in the warmer, sun-filled woods, wildflowers become common. The best view of the cliffs themselves is next, from a concrete slab platform which appears on the right on a side trail, jutting out over the mountainside. This old overlook is the final safe place to enjoy the view, so get your fill before continuing on.

You may have noticed a wide old roadbed on your left at times on the previous section of trail. Now covered with trees, shrubs, herbaceous plants and wildflowers, this old roadbed used to carry tourists to this overlook and the top of the mountain as a tourist attraction, before the Forest Service bought the mountain in the '70's. A post office was located near the top, which was a popular place for tourists to mail postcards of the views!

Just past the concrete slab, you'll reach an overgrown meadow, with a limited view to the Northeast. Here you're back on the old roadbed on which the trail started. Bear left, downhill, away from the cliffs on the old road. This final segment of the hike is much wider, with no views. But you'll be traveling through a very pleasant forest, much different from the one at the summit. It's a cooler, moister place, and grass sometimes grows between the trees and rhododendron. You'll see many more northern hardwoods such as birch and beech. During wet weather, seeps and very small streams will traverse the rocky old roadbed, after trickling down the side of the road cut. Look above you to your left, and you might catch an occasional glimpse of the cliffs that line the north side of the summit ridge. They're not nearly as high as the ones on the south side from which you had an earlier view.

You'll reach the close of the loop before long, and return to your vehicle on the short extension to complete the hike.