The CragBaby

The view of Linville Gorge from Table Rock.

Boone, North Carolina might be one of my all time favorite bouldering destinations with its gneiss boulder problems scattered amongst amazingly beautiful trees.  I unfortunately was unable to get into Hound Ears, but perhaps that is for the best as it may have resulted in me never leaving the city. =)

Best Time to Visit

• The best time to visit Boone is in the fall and spring when temperatures are in the 50′s and 60′s (Fahrenheit).  If it happens to rain while visiting, certain areas (like Blowing Rock) dry lots more quickly than others (like Grandmother).

Guidebook

• There isn’t a guidebook making the best resource for information being Boone Boulders.  I usually would post up beta here on the CragBaby site, but the Boone locals take great pride in the lack of available information and so I will definitely respect them on this matter.

Camping

• Campsites: There are a couple campsites in the area, but they seem quite pricey at $15 – $20 per night.  I heard that the Julian Price campsite on the Blue Ridge Parkway is very nice, but I did not stay there.
• Free Camping: There are a handful of pull offs along 221 where one can find free camping.  Or there is a great spot on Roseborough Road about 5 minutes past the Lost Cove area.

Food / Drink

• Restaurants: I didn’t eat out while in Boone but did hear that Melanies, located downtown is a good place for grub. (I actually tried to go to Melanie’s but it was closed the day I attempted.)  Also, the restaurant next to the Boone Footslogger (I can’t remember the name) is known to have great burritos.
• Beverage: Beer and wine are sold in all stores.  I did stop by the Sixpence pub in Blowing Rock and really enjoyed my night there.  Delicious brews with very friendly locals.

Personal Hygiene

• Showers: A couple minutes off Blowing Rock road in Boone is a swimming facility with nice showers, cost being $3.  It is a little tricky to find, but the Visitor Information right on Blowing Rock road can give you directions and a map.
• Laundromat: I used a couple different laundromats, but preferred Village Laundry adjacent to the mall.

Other

• Locals: Boone was (so far) the friendliest place I have visited on my road trip.  I seemed to always have a crew to boulder with plus I had numerous non-climbers stop and talk to me, giving me their phone number in case “I happened to need anything” while in town.  Amazing!  The level of hospitality made me feel like I was back in Ireland. =)
• Irrelevant Grades: I noticed that Boone climbers seemed to never talk about the grades of climbs.  Seriously.  They would point out a problem, give the name and everyone would try it.  I sometimes would inquire the grade of a problem after working it, but there was something real fun about just enjoying the climb without a number attached.

Sites of Interest

• Blue Ridge Parkway: The Blue Ridge Parkway is one of the most beautiful stretches of road I have ever driven, being rivaled only by the drive into Denali Park, Alaska.  It is seriously stunning, especially when the fall foliage is still visible.
• Linville Gorge:  Wow! Linville Gorge is stunningly beautiful!  Though a bit of a trek from Boone, it is worth every minute spent driving there.
• Downtown Boone and Blowing Rock: Both these cities have quaint downtowns that can entertain while taking a break from climbing.

Tags: boone, climbing, north carolina

This entry was posted on Friday, November 21st, 2008 at 3:19 pm and is filed under Destination: Boone, NC, RoadTrip2008, TripBeta, climbing, travel. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.