In 2022, the Town of Lake Lure and the Carolina Climbers Coalition began working to open a newly-discovered boulder field within Buffalo Creek Park. Once finished, this boulder field will be far more extensive than the existing Loop Trail Boulders, containing potential for 200+ problems (bouldering challenges) and 20-30 roped routes.
Access to the Upper Creek Boulders has been opened up via the Upper Boulders Trail, which is currently under construction. While this trail was primarily created to serve climbing access, it is also an interesting hiking trail in a previously inaccessible section of the Hickory Nut Gorge.
The Buffalo Creek Loop Trail Boulders and the new Buffalo Creek Upper Boulders Trailhead can be found off of Buffalo Creek Road, while Rumbling Bald Climbing Access Area can be found the Rumbling Bald Trailhead within Chimney Rock State Park.
The Upper Boulders Trail is located within Buffalo Creek Park in the Town of Lake Lure, and once finished, will be a 1.4 mile trail branching off of the existing Buffalo Creek Park Loop Trail. The moderately strenuous trail will gain approximately 500 feet of elevation and will pass boulders and small cliffs that are desirable for bouldering and roped climbing. The wildflowers, cascading creeks, abundant wildlife, remote forest, and summit views will be an attraction for hikers and climbers alike.
The Carolina Climbers Coalition is working on this trail weekly and is looking for volunteer and financial support for this project; for more information, please visit their website. This project is being funded by a grant from the RHI Foundation and the Rutherford County TDA, as part of Rutherford Bound's Year of the Trail initiative.
Additionally, the Upper Boulders Trail is now included in the Pisgah Map Company's Trail Guide to Hickory Nut Gorge, which can be purchased here.
In 2022, the Town of Lake Lure and the Carolina Climbers Coalition began working to open a newly-discovered boulder field within Buffalo Creek Park. Once finished, this boulder field will be far more extensive than the existing Loop Trail Boulders, containing potential for 200+ problems (bouldering challenges) and 20-30 roped routes.
Access to the Upper Creek Boulders has been opened up via the Upper Boulders Trail, which is currently under construction. While this trail was primarily created to serve climbing access, it is also an interesting hiking trail in a previously inaccessible section of the Hickory Nut Gorge.
The Buffalo Creek Loop Trail Boulders and the new Buffalo Creek Upper Boulders Trailhead can be found off of Buffalo Creek Road, while Rumbling Bald Climbing Access Area can be found the Rumbling Bald Trailhead within Chimney Rock State Park.
The Upper Boulders Trail is located within Buffalo Creek Park in the Town of Lake Lure, and once finished, will be a 1.4 mile trail branching off of the existing Buffalo Creek Park Loop Trail. The moderately strenuous trail will gain approximately 500 feet of elevation and will pass boulders and small cliffs that are desirable for bouldering and roped climbing. The wildflowers, cascading creeks, abundant wildlife, remote forest, and summit views will be an attraction for hikers and climbers alike.
The Carolina Climbers Coalition is working on this trail weekly and is looking for volunteer and financial support for this project; for more information, please visit their website. This project is being funded by a grant from the RHI Foundation and the Rutherford County TDA, as part of Rutherford Bound's Year of the Trail initiative.
Additionally, the Upper Boulders Trail is now included in the Pisgah Map Company's Trail Guide to Hickory Nut Gorge, which can be purchased here.
August 25th - Leadership and community members of the town of Lake Lure cut the ribbon on a newly-constructed parking and access area at Buffalo Creek Trailhead that more than triples available parking and links adventurers and outdoor athletes to the beloved and rugged bike and foot paths of Weed Patch Mountain and surrounding wild areas adjacent to Lake Lure and Chimney Rock State Park.
The project was funded through the support of matching donations of $40,000 from both the Town of Lake Lure and the Rutherford County TDA, as well as financial gifts from the Rumbling Bald Resort, and from proceeds from the annual "Rumble" bouldering competition held in the area by the Carolina Climbers Coalition. Wilderness trail access and the economic boon for Lake Lure and the surroundings are among the key objectives for those who have advocated for this and other projects in this part of Western North Carolina.
This trailhead parking project is one of more than a dozen envisioned in an ongoing cooperation between the municipalities in Rutherford County and the county's Tourism Development Authority as part of the Rutherford Bound initiative.
The redesigned trailhead area also provides areas for picnicking equipped with ADA-compatible picnic tables.
Already completed is the Morse Park Overlook Project. The new overlook is directly adjacent to the gazebo and provides park users the perfect location to take pictures, as it directly overlooks scenic Lake Lure.
The Lake Lure Town Center Walkway offers a scenic walk through the Town of Lake Lure. The new and improved walkway connects the Flowering Bridge down to the beach (and beyond!) and pavers have been laid in place of the original brick sidewalk. The project should be completed soon, just in time for visitors and residents to enjoy the sights and sounds of Spring in Lake Lure.
Visit the Lake Lure Town Center Walkway!
Dana Bradley, the Parks, Recreation, and Trails Coordinator for the Town of lake Lure, is excited to move forward with these projects.
Finally, the Buffalo Creek Park Trailhead is growing from a small, six-space parking lot into generous space for 54 parked vehicles. This project has been funded through the Rutherford County TDA, as well as contributions from Rumbling Bald Resort, the Town of Lake Lure, and proceeds from the Carolina Climbers Coalition’s annual “Rumble” bouldering competition. Currently, hikers visiting Buffalo Creek Park are forced to park on the side of the road when the lot fills. If all goes according to plans, this project should be completed by early summer 2022.
