Whiteside Mountain, North Carolina

Fall is finally upon us and it's the best time to be outside and enjoy the scenery.

The leaves are changing and the air is crisp, making October a good time to take a long weekend and explore.

photo Climber John Fitzgerald pauses on the "Original Route."

Located in the Nantahala National Forest off of U.S. 64 in western North Carolina between Cashiers and Highlands, Whiteside Mountain features a beautiful and exciting spot to spend a weekend. Boasting the tallest cliffs on the East Coast, Whiteside Mountain is worth the trip and close enough to other outdoor hotspots to make a weekend trip worthwhile.

HIKE IT

The Whiteside Trail is a 2-mile loop hike that takes you to the top of the 4,930-foot summit from the parking area. It may seem like a gentle hike, but portions along the way are steep, so use caution. When you get to the top of the trail, enjoy the beautiful vistas of the surrounding Appalachian Mountains and nearby states (Hi Georgia!), but use caution-it's a long way down.

CAMP IT

There's no available camping at Whiteside Mountain, but only a short drive away in the Nantahala National Forest camping sites with facilities are abundant. Check out Blue Valley Campground near Highlands for your typical campground or for a really primitive camping experience visit Elliot's Rock Wilderness Area. This area is open for camping to groups smaller than 10 and remote camping is allowed.

CLIMB IT

Whiteside Mountain is a climbing must for the experienced adventurer. The millions-year-old granite cliffs, like sheets of ice hanging on the side of the mountain, are not only unique in their appearance but also challenging to the avid climber. There are dozens of routes to climb in a varied array of difficulties and a quick search online (like at mountainproject.com) yields plenty of personal accounts of climbs at Whiteside. With route names like "Devil's Courthouse" and "On Second Thought," a little research will pay off.

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