There’s something about September in the High Country.
The mornings start feeling a little cooler. A few leaves begin changing before the rest. And suddenly the trails, overlooks and mountain roads that we drive all year start looking especially inviting again.
This week, we’re starting high — 5,506 feet high — on Beech Mountain.
🏔️ Thinking About Beech Mountain?
There’s something about driving up Beech Mountain Parkway that makes you feel as though you’re leaving one version of the High Country and entering another.
The temperature drops. The road keeps climbing. And by the time you reach the top, it can be difficult to believe you’re still in North Carolina.
At 5,506 feet, Beech Mountain is the highest incorporated town east of the Rockies. That elevation brings wonderfully cool summers, early glimpses of fall color and, of course, a real mountain winter.
Beech Mountain also offers more variety than many buyers expect. You might be looking for a slopeside condo for ski weekends, a classic mountain chalet tucked into the trees, or a more conventional year-round home near golf and club amenities. Each offers a very different way to experience life on Beech Mountain.
We put together a new buyer guide covering some of the practical things listing photos don’t always show.
Read 7 Things to Know Before Buying on Beech Mountain →
Five High Country Hikes to Put on Your Fall List
Fall doesn’t officially arrive until September 22, but the High Country is already easing into the season. Cooler mornings and comfortable afternoons make these late-summer days especially good for getting outside and hitting the trails.
A few hikes worth bookmarking for the weeks ahead:
Rough Ridge
One of the High Country classics for good reason. You don’t have to commit to an all-day hike to reach some pretty spectacular Blue Ridge views.
Boone Fork Trail
A beautiful mix of forest, streams, bridges and meadows near Price Lake.
Linville Falls / Linville Gorge
The Erwins View Trail is a moderate 1.6-mile round trip with several overlooks of Linville Falls and the gorge, including a panoramic view from the final overlook.
Crab Orchard Falls
Tucked away near Valle Crucis, this is a lovely little waterfall hike that feels worlds away despite being close to town.
Elk Knob State Park
A more substantial hike, but the summit rewards you with expansive long-range views that should become even prettier as fall progresses.
And fair warning: spending a cool fall day hiking, followed by dinner somewhere cozy, is also exactly how “maybe someday we should have a place up here” conversations tend to begin.
A Mountain Moment
Sometimes the best part of being in the mountains isn’t an event, an attraction or even a sweeping long-range view. Sometimes it’s six quiet seconds beside a stream, with the late-afternoon sunlight filtering through the trees and nowhere else you need to be.
Kathie caught this little moment recently, and it was simply too peaceful not to share.
Take a six-second mountain break →
📅 This Weekend in the High Country
Autumn at Oz — September 11–13
There truly is no place like Beech Mountain this weekend.
Autumn at Oz begins its first of three September weekends at the Land of Oz, where visitors can follow Dorothy’s journey from Kansas, experience the twister and walk the famous Yellow Brick Road.
Follow the Yellow Brick Road →
High Country Farm Tour — Saturday, September 12
Six Watauga County farms are opening their doors for a behind-the-scenes look at local agriculture.
Visitors can explore the farms, meet the people behind them and shop for flowers, vegetables, meats, crafts, vineyard products and more.
Buskers Fest — Saturday, September 12
Downtown Boone becomes a stage for musicians, performers and visual artists during Buskers Fest on King Street. The free event runs from 1–5 p.m. and includes live performances, art in action and interactive activities throughout downtown.
See the Buskers Fest details →
Thanks for spending a little time with us today. We hope these weekly notes help you get to know the High Country a little better—even if you’re just dreaming from afar for now.
Marc & Kathie Childers
Childers Realty Group
Realty ONE Group Results
BooneHomesForSale.com