Cold water, warm heart
You still have plenty of time to find love at one of the area's many pristine swimming
holes before they cool off. Actually, they're always cool -- OK, really cold -- but you should
be able to bear it at least till the end of September. Here's a guide to get you started:

• Courthouse Falls: This awesome place was closed after the September 2004 floods
but has reportedly reopened. Head north on Hwy. 215, 10 miles from where it intersects
with U.S. 64, near Rosman (you can also get there by taking 215 from the Parkway). Turn
onto Forest Road 140. Drive three miles till you're just over the Courthouse Creek bridge.
Park and walk the Summey Cove Trail for just a few minutes; you can't miss it. Begin
steep descent.

• Not 417: Take the Parkway to mile marker 417; park across the road -- you'll know
you're in the right spot because there's a spectacular view of Looking Glass Rock. Take
the 417 trail and bear right instead of left (left will bring you to Shinny dip Falls). The hike
is about 20 minutes.

• Midnight Hole: Drive I-40 west to the Tennessee line; take the Waterville Road exit and
follow it down to the Big Creek Campground (you'll pass Mountain Mamma's General
Store). The trail to Midnight Hole is at the entrance to the campground's parking lot, on
the right. The hike (about a half-hour) is a popular equestrian trail, so watch out for horse
pies.

• Big East Fork: This is a nice, private alternative to nearby Sunburst, a popular
swimming destination. Take I-40 west to Canton. From Main Street, turn south on Hwy.
110. Turn left onto Hwy. 276 (near the Jukebox Junction restaurant). Drive about 20
minutes; after passing through Cruso, watch for the Big East Fork trail sign on the right.
Take the trail on the left side of the creek, an easy 15-minute hike till you see a small
waterfall and swimming hole on the right.

• Near Sam's Knob: Just past mile marker 420 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, drive down
into the Black Balsam parking lot. Take the trail that starts at the extreme left of the
parking lot and hike about 25 minutes. From there on down, you'll find any number of
private swimming holes (this is Flat Laurel Creek, a tributary of the Pigeon River's West
Fork).

• Rocky Broad River: Flows by Chimney Rock Park as it heads toward Lake Lure. About
a 25-minute drive from Asheville; take exit 9 off I-240 east and follow 74-A. No hike
required; just park on the side of the road and pick a spot.
Take a short hike and find
one of many places to take a
cool dip during those warm
summer months
Grab your friends and
family and create a
summer adventure you
won't soon forget.
Swimming Holes
The Pines Cottages