Linville Gorge Wilderness

From its headwaters high on Grandfather Mountain, the powerful Linville River patiently carves the rugged, steep-walled gorge that encloses it for approximately 12 miles. Within the gorge the river drops a dramatic 2,000 feet before leveling out in the Catawba Valley. East of the gorge is Jonas Ridge; west is Linville Mountain. The gorge's rim reaches 3,400 feet, compared with the river's average of 2,000 feet. Plant communities range from lichens and shrubs on the cliffs to laurel and rhododendron along the riverbanks, and in some spots the gorge shelters stands of virgin timber. Assorted odd rock formations along Jonas Ridge — Sitting Bear, Hawksbill, Table Rock, and the Chimneys — attract beginner, intermediate, and advanced rock climbers. With 39 miles of challenging trails, backpackers come to Linville Gorge in substantial numbers. For more solitude, go to the southern half of the Wilderness: south of Conley Cove Trail (1.35 miles) in the western portion and south of the Chimneys in the eastern portion. The rough northern section surrounding Brushy Ridge also receives few visitors. A large black bear population attracts hunters between late October and early January.