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Hiking up Whiteside Mountain has become a tradition in my family. I
have seen it every season, and it
has never lost its ability to awe and amaze me. It would be hard for
any visitor to the. Highlands and Cashiers area to miss the bold rock
face that looms over the valleys and coves. It would be even harder
to miss taking at least one hike up to the top to get the view of a
lifetime. Though I have heard that some people have missed it, and
many of them are locals.
The trail to the top of the mountain is not hard to find. It is located off
U.S. 64 east in Wildcat Cliffs Country Club. If you are coming from
Highlands, follow U.S. 64 until you reach the country club on the
right. It's just before the overlook and the county line. Follow the
main road through Wildcat Cliffs till you see a sign for the Whiteside
trail, the parking area will be on the left. There is a $2 parking fee for
each vehicle.
The trail to the top makes a loop. If you go to the right you have a
hard climb ahead of you. If you go to the left you can take your time
up a more gradual climb, but don't forget the steep descent on the
way back to the parking lot. Either way you'll still see the same
magnificent views at the top. -
I could describe every nook and cranny of the mountain for you, but
it's best that you discover them for yourself. Always use caution, of
course. Though most of the views have rails, some do not, and even
the rails haven't kept some from taking the long plunge to the valley
below.
The trail skirts the edge of 750-ft. high cliffs that drop off sharply.
The mountain is rich with history and wildlife. It might be a good idea
to take a pair of binoculars with you, so you can get an up close view
of the peregrine falcons that call the mountain's steep cliffs home.
The falcons were reintroduced to the mountain back in 1985 through
the endangered species program. Whiteside had originally been
part of their native habitat. February 15 through July 25 is their
mating season, and the best time to catch a glimpse of these
beautiful, swift birds.
Whiteside, which tops out at 4,930 ft., belonged to the Cherokee
Nation before the Seventh Cherokee Treaty of 1819. Settlers owned
the land on the eastern slopes of Whiteside during the mid-1800s
and the Macon County Land Company bought the rest of it after the
Civil War for about seven cents per acre. The Ravenel family's
estate swallowed up the mountain in the early 1900s.
The mountain was later owned by a private corporation which used it
as a tourist attraction, busing groups of people to the top of the
mountain. Whiteside was logged in 1947, and after that it was
purchased by the U.S. Forest Service and is now apart 'of the
Nantahala National Forest.
The majority of the mountain has escaped development, and is
preserved for future generations. So if you haven't seen it, now
might be a good time. With fall in full swing, the valleys and ridges
will be on fire with color. Make sure to bring your camera and plenty
of film. You won't want to forget this one.