The second of our bucket list hikes, this difficult 9-mile hike with over 2,000 feet in elevation gain and descent, will explore the Linville Gorge which is widely considered to be the “Grand Canyon of the East”. Named after William and John Linville who were killed by the Shawnee Indians near Linville Falls, the gorge contains some of the most spectacular and rugged scenery in the eastern US. The hike will descend into the gorge via the Conley Cave Trail and cover over 3 miles along the bottom before climbing back up to the top of the rim on the Babel Tower Trail with a stop to explore its namesake rock pinnacle overlooking the river.
This will be an all-day trip. We will meet at 7:45am at a location to be determined and carpool to the trailhead in the Linville Gorge Wilderness. The estimated return time will be approximately 5:00 pm.
This is a small-group hike for experienced hikers with a limit of 15 participants. This hike is very difficult, and hikers must carry a lot of water to avoid dehydration. Click on the button below to register and you will be contacted by the hike leader to be approved. Once approved, you will be charged approximately 2 days prior to the hike.
Date: February 25, 2023
Time: 7:45am – 5:00pm
Rating: Difficult
Cost: $60 for museum members, $75 for non-members
