10. Conditioning Hike to Tennet Mountain -June 2

This conditioning hike was on a very popular trail a short distance off the Blue Ridge Parkway at Black Balsam Mountain. It started at an elevation of 5,650 ft. and we reached our highest point atop Tennet Mountain at 6,057 ft. Our loop started on a very rocky road that was wet and muddy almost like we were wading a shallow mountain stream. Then we left the roadway to ascend Grassy Cove Top. The trail was in full sun exposure for most of the way and the trail was like a trench that had been cut into the side of the mountain. The whole landscape was a sea of blueberry bushes with the blossoms still on the branches. There weren’t many places on the trail affording a view but the flowers in the underbrush and the occasional giant evergreens on the way were interesting. We retraced our way back to the road and took another trenchlike trail up to the peak of Tennet Mountain. This trail was also exposed to the sun but had waypoints along the trail with glorious views of the valleys and mountains beyond. At the peak there were sweeping 360-degree views of the majesty before us. It is impossible to capture the experience with a two-dimensional picture that one experiences in person. We took our time taking in the grandeur, eating our snacks, taking pictures, and chatting with other hikers also beholding the beauty. We descended off the peak and opted to forgo Black Balsam Peak but instead cut through to the road we entered on and headed back to our cars. I know that there are those who think our 6,000 ft. mountains are only rolling hills, but I challenge anyone to follow me on one of my treks up to the top of these peaks and look out to the valleys and ridgelines and then make their judgement. For me, the peaks of the mountains of western North Carolina will always be mountains that I love to wander upon.