The Back of the Dragon - VA 16

The Back of the Dragon - VA 16

Marion to Tazwell - The Back of the Dragon, a 29 mile long section of VA 16 runs north / south between the towns of Marion and Tazwell, Virginia. Climbing up and down the mountain ridges along the way it holds both sweeping curves in the valleys and tight and twisty sections carving through the rocky cuts in the high parts. There is little along the way, a few homes and farms. Most of it is wooded passing through Hungry Mother State Park at the south end. It is a useful road, one of the nicest ways to traverse this area, easy to work into your travel plans. Over the years it has been popularized and marketed as a motorcycle destination ride. The hub of this motorcycle related activity is at the north end in Tazwell where the Back of the Dragon Visitor Center opened a new facility in 2020. Several good rides connect to it and there is some great riding in the surrounding area.

Looking Glass Waterfalls

Six of the easy to access waterfalls surrounding Looking Glass Rock in the Pisgah National Forest.

Gorges State Park

Gorges State Park is a 7,709-acre North Carolina state park in Transylvania County, North Carolina in the United States and along with other conservation lands is part of a 100,000+ acre conservation corridor stretching some 80 miles along the NC/SC state line.

Gorges State Park is a 7,709-acre North Carolina state park in Transylvania County, North Carolina in the United States and along with other conservation lands is part of a 100,000+ acre conservation corridor stretching some 80 miles along the NC/SC state line.

Gorges State Park

Gorges State Park

https://www.ncparks.gov/gorges-stat...

Cahiers Loop Ride - SOUTH

Wayne takes you on a 21 Mile long Motorcycle Ride looping south from Cashiers, North Carolina with 4 amazing and beautiful stops. This is a great ride to do when you visit the Land of the Waterfalls.

Cahiers Loop Ride - SOUTH

Wayne takes you on a 21 Mile long Motorcycle Ride looping south from Cashiers, North Carolina with 4 amazing and beautiful stops. This is a great ride to do when you visit the Land of the Waterfalls.

Viewpoint Cashiers Lake

Holly Berry Mountain Lake

Great views across Holly Berry Mountain Lake of the massive cliff faces on the south side of Whiteside Mountain, the highest cliffs in eastern North America.

Great views across Holly Berry Mountain Lake of the massive cliff faces on the south side of Whiteside Mountain, the highest cliffs in eastern North America.

Grimshawes Post Office

The tiny 5-foot by 6-foot Grimshawes Post Office was in service from 1878 until 1953. It was originally the Whiteside Cove Post Office, though it came to be known as the Grimshawes Post Office around 1909 as all of its postmasters were named Grimshawe. It closed in 1953 and the small building was dismantled and moved to the top of Whiteside Mountain where it served as a ticket office. Ultimately it fell into disrepair. In the 1970's, a local group salvaged the building and restored it here. Once reputed as the smallest Post Office in the USA, it was popularized with postcards, though it claim to fame has been usurped by an even smaller Post Office located in Ochopee, Florida.

The tiny 5-foot by 6-foot Grimshawes Post Office was in service from 1878 until 1953. It was originally the Whiteside Cove Post Office, though it came to be known as the Grimshawes Post Office around 1909 as all of its postmasters were named Grimshawe. It closed in 1953 and the small building was dismantled and moved to the top of Whiteside Mountain where it served as a ticket office. Ultimately it fell into disrepair. In the 1970's, a local group salvaged the building and restored it here. Once reputed as the smallest Post Office in the USA, it was popularized with postcards, though it claim to fame has been usurped by an even smaller Post Office located in Ochopee, Florida.

Whitesides Mountain

The Old Iron Bridge

A classic example of early 20th Century bridge construction with riveted truss members across the upper reaches of the Chattooga River.

A classic example of early 20th Century bridge construction with riveted truss members across the upper reaches of the Chattooga River.

Lower Wildcat Falls

Small roadside waterfall. Hike trails will take you to 3 more. Roadside parking.

Small roadside waterfall. Hike trails will take you to 3 more. Roadside parking.

Sassafras Mountain Observation Tower

An observation platform sits atop the highest mountain in SC with 360 degree views of the surroundings. The state border with North Carolina splits the overlook. It's a short walk from the gravel parking area. Bathrooms at trailhead. El. 3553 Ft.

An observation platform sits atop the highest mountain in SC with 360 degree views of the surroundings. The state border with North Carolina splits the overlook. It's a short walk from the gravel parking area. Bathrooms at trailhead. El. 3553 Ft.

You Can Get to the Highest Point in SC Without Hiking

South Carolina's Sassafras Mountain has an observation tour where you can see into 3 other states! Check out this park for FREE and enjoy hiking and more!

https://kiddingaroundgreenville.com...

Enjoy Spectacular Views from the Sassafras Mountain Observation Tower

Offering an elevated view at the highest point in South Carolina, the Sassafras Mountain observation tower is a must-see landmark in the Upstate.

https://discoversouthcarolina.com/a...