By PAULA CROUCH THRASHER- Journal Constitution
HIGHLANDS, NC — At a spry 85, High Hampton Inn & Country Club, the grande dame of Western North Carolina retreats, is feeling younger than ever. So much so, the rustic but charming stone-and-wood resort — best known for its multi-generational summer family programs — will remain open through the winter for the first time, albeit only on weekends after Thanksgiving.
And why not? Fall brings a bounty of activities, complete with glorious leaves. And winter is a special season when you'd probably hope to get snowed in as the two four-sided fireplaces blaze and hot chocolate is the drink of choice. (Although, according to locals, heavy snowfalls aren't as common as we lowlanders would like to believe.)
The 35-acre lake where children splash in summer will likely be a bit chilly in fall and especially winter (the 117-room resort with lodge rooms, cottages and cabins is perched at a 3,600-foot elevation). But there's plenty more to do to satisfy the fall adventurer.
And the views, as they say, are tremendous. "Because of our high altitude, peak leaf season starts in mid-October and continues through the first week of November. During this time, the forests are ablaze with rich reds, purples, oranges and golds," says David Jones, general manager of High Hampton.
In October, trees planted more than 100 years ago stand in their glory in front of the lodge: ginkgo, bottlebrush buckeye, bald cypress, copper beech and one of America's largest Fraser firs.
Let the leaf-peepers in their cars, vans, SUVs, RVs and motorcycles roar past fall's amazing palette of reds, golds and burgundies. You can lace up those hiking boots to roam miles of well-marked hiking trails lined with maple, black birch, sourwood, hickory, yellow poplar and dogwood trees.
Climb to the summit of Rock Mountain, at 4,370 feet (described as an easy to moderate climb, but somewhat daunting to the tender feet among us), or Chimney Top Mountain, at 4,618 feet, to view the spectacular fall foliage in the valley between Cashiers, Highlands and Whiteside Mountain.
You also can take naturalist-guided and self-guided tours of southwestern North Carolina's waterfalls that cascade over the rock faces of the Blue Ridge. Many of the falls can be easily reached by following scenic U.S. 64 east or west of High Hampton Inn.
The Horsepasture River is the source for four waterfalls in the area: Horsepasture Falls, Whitewater Falls, Drift Falls and Rainbow Falls. Whitewater Falls, which plunges 411 feet, is the highest waterfall east of the Rocky Mountains. U.S. 64 meanders under Bridal Veil Falls and over Toxaway Falls.
And here's something you can't see any other time of year: the "bear shadow." During the last two weeks of October, when the sun sets behind Whiteside Mountain, its shadow forms the image of a black bear. (The best place for viewing is along U.S. 64 in Cashiers about an hour before dark.)
Guests should check the daily activity list posted outside the dining room, where bounteous buffets are served. Outings might include guided hikes and wildflower walks as well as golf and tennis lessons. Or stretch yourself at a yoga session or go for pampering at the Hampton Spa (where, after a grueling — for me, anyway — climb up Rock Mountain, I found the serenity of the ocean with a sea algae body treatment.)
At night, return to the cozy lodge for hot cider by the fireplace or meet friends at the tavern downstairs for something stronger. A perfect ending to a perfect autumn — or, now we can say, winter — day.
Getting there
High Hampton Inn & Country Club is at 1525 N.C. 107 South in Cashiers, N.C. From Atlanta, it's about a 2 1/2-hour drive.
About the resort : Lodging: Rates start from $274, double occupancy, including three meals daily; Thanksgiving–Dec. 22, rate is from $149, double, full breakfast only, weekends only; Dec. 23-March 15, rate is from $139, double, full breakfast only, weekends only. http://www.highhamptoninn.com./
If you are shopping for homes or land for sale in Highlands, NC Lake Glenville or Cashiers area, call Traci toll free at 1-888-277-2006 x 6 or send an mail to traci@carolinapg.com
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