Dave and I have just begun to explore the beauty of North Carolina. Despite Hurricane Helenes' extensive damage, recovery has been impressive. Small towns devastated by water and landslides are slowly rebuilding. Businesses are reopening, as are many of the recreational areas. So, when we read that State Route 64 to Chimney Rock had opened, we jumped at the prospect of a morning hike, blissfully close to home.

*Ladies take in a perilous view from the Opera Box*

Chimney Rock State Park has a rich history. Over a hundred years ago, Dr. Lucius B. Morse, diagnosed with tuberculosis, moved from Missouri to the thermal belt of Western North Carolina. He frequently rode his horse to Chimney Rock—often stopping to admire the giant monolith that towered over Hickory Nut Gorge. A 25¢ donkey ride took him to the top. The panoramic view from above fueled his imagination to develop the area. In 1902, Morse and his brothers purchased the original 64 acres from the original owner, Jerome Freeman. Their stewardship transformed Chimney Rock and Lake Lure into cherished destinations. The family managed the site until 2007, when it was acquired by North Carolina and established as a state park.

Getting there was easy, despite a couple of single-lane closures along the way. However, check for road closures before you head out, as roadwork is ongoing and conditions may change.

There is an entry fee for the park, so it's a good idea to make a reservation if you plan to visit on holidays or weekends. Since we visited in the middle of the week, we pretty much had the park to ourselves.

After parking in the lower lot, we began our adventure on the Four Seasons Trail. This short but steep trail, climbing about 400 feet over 0.6 miles, was an excellent warm-up—especially if you’re considering the additional 27 flights to reach the top of the rock (which, thankfully, we chose to skip for this visit).

*Lush vegetation and massive outcroppings abound.*

Honestly, I was glad to finish the Four Seasons Trail, as it involved a lot of stairs. From there, we continued onto the Hickory Nut Falls Trail, which led directly to the falls viewing area.

The falls themselves are quite impressive—a wall of water cascading over 400 feet—providing a little drama to our hike.

After viewing the falls, Dave, Luci, and I continued up a few more flights of stairs that led to the upper parking area. Here, the Outcroppings Trail begins—consisting of 27 flights of stairs up to the top of Chimney Rock. The elevator to the summit is conveniently located here as well. Dave took the elevator while I stayed at the bottom with Luci, since dogs aren’t allowed on the elevator.

At the top, visitors can enjoy multiple viewpoints or take the Skyline Trail to Peregrine’s Point and the top of the falls. The Exclamation Point Trail is also highly recommended. We decided to save these for another adventure, giving us multiple reasons to return.

*Dave’s view from the top. Lake Lure and beyond.*

Our return to the Jeep was quick and easy. Heading home, we drove through Chimney Rock Village, which is recovering well. After nearly two years of restoration, Lake Lure will celebrate its grand reopening on Memorial Day Weekend. With all roads open, it’s uplifting to witness the area’s revival firsthand.