Sunrise Hike: Craggy Pinnacle

The member inns of the Asheville Bed & Breakfast Association are all conveniently located in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains.  The majesty of these peaks can be stunning at sunrise.  Follow the adventures of Samantha Fann, innkeeper at Princess Anne Hotel, and her insider tips for a sunrise hike at Craggy Pinnacle.

"Catching a sunset is easy. Catching a sunrise, now that takes a little effort. I put it on my list of things I wanted to do this year and so far, I’ve conquered it 4 times. Each time has been a new and completely different experience than the week before. Each time, changing my life a little more for the better.

Catching a sunrise starts the night before. About 6 years ago when I signed up for my first 5k event, my friends (who were way more into running)) told me to eat a hearty pasta meal the night before. They said this would help my stamina for the run. I clutched this information with the tightest hands--mostly just to have an excuse to eat pasta, guilt-free! So, the night before my BIG 0.7-mile sunrise hike to Craggy Pinnacle, I eat pasta and get a good night’s rest. I aim for a good 8 hours of sleep, but I’ve learned each person is different in this aspect. Do what your body needs.

First thing in the morning, check the Blue Ridge Parkway Real-Time Road Closures Map. Nothing like waking up early to find you are being turned around just a few miles before your destination due to a limb down in the road! I always type the address in GPS (Craggy Pinnacle Hike) to make sure how much time I need for the drive. I plan to get to the parking lot about 45 minutes before sunrise. This gives me 15 minutes to hike to the peak and 30 minutes to enjoy the full rise. (Always double check sunrise time also!)

I wake up about an hour before time to leave. I like to make myself some coffee and eat a light breakfast, usually just some fruit. As for my dress, I recommend layers! The sunrise hikes I’ve taken so far have been in the spring. I like to wear comfy pants, a tank top, a thin long sleeve t-shirt, then a hoodie. I wear my KEEN hiking boots and love them although my friends wear tennis shoes. Two articles of clothing that wear underrated until I moved to WNC: gloves and good socks! These two items are MUSTS for me on all hikes. **Be very aware: morning hikes have lots of damp rocks because of the morning dew. My first hike, I took a tiny spill that left a gnarly bruise! **

I also like to lay out my supplies (sometimes the night before). My necessities are:

• Breakfast bars (I like Cliff Bars to help with any early morning fatigue)
• Thermos with hot water (a tip I learned: fill the thermos with hot water, pour that out and refill with more hot water.The first round of hot water is lining the thermos to help keep the 2nd round hot longer)
• Water bottle
• Tissues (you are going to have a runny nose!)
• Chapstick
• Camera

I’ve taken a book to read or notebook with plans to reorganize my life for the umpteenth, but each time I get out onto these mountain tops, my brain becomes silent. Thoughts just seem to disappear. I’ve slowly come to realize, that’s Mother Nature telling me, this is my time. I need not focus on anything other than what surrounds me. She is right:  close your eyes, take a deep breath through your nose, let your shoulders fall down your back, breathe it all out and open your eyes again. You will never have this sunrise again."

Book Direct for Your B&B Experience

Make the most of your vacation to the mountains of Western North Carolina by staying at one of the inns of the Asheville Bed & Breakfast Association.  Our innkeepers have tips about sunrise hikes, the Blue Ridge Parkway or a drive to Mount Mitchell and lots of other activities.  We love to help our guests make the most of their trip so book direct today!