Higher elevations When you include the mountains that are in the national forest and those that became part of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Haywood County can make a claim to having the highest average elevation east of the Rockies. Six-thousandfoot mountains are the monsters of Appalachia, and Haywood has 18 of them. The county also has another unique claim to fame — all the waterways in the county have their headwaters there. No rivers flow in. Mount Guyot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6621’ Richland Balsam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6410’ Old Black . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6370’ Waterrock Knob . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6292’ Luftee Knob . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6234’ Black Balsam Knob . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6214’ Big Cataloochee Mountain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6155’ Mount Hardy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6110’ Reinhart Knob . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6095’ Plott Balsam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6088’ Tennent Mountain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6060’ Green Knob . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6056’ Grassy Cove Top . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6055’ Sam Knob . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6055’ Cold Mountain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6030’ Shining Rock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6010’ Balsam Corner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6000’ Big Butt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6000’
along with a native plant garden and meditation labyrinth. Paddleboats can be rented on the lake. There is also a pool and playground. The lake is just off U.S. 19 north of Waynesville and east of Maggie Valley. Waynesville is also home to the Museum of North Carolina Handicrafts, which is located in the historic Shelton House and features 19th century crafts, including pottery, quilts, basket and woodworking. Waynesville also has plenty of recreational opportunities for families at its greenway, playground and recreation center. The full-sized recreation/fitness center features an indoor pool and water park. It also includes a game room with video games and ping pong table. A disc golf course starts on its grounds. Just 10 miles outside of Waynesville is Maggie Valley, a quaint mountain delight that sprang up to cater to visitors and still rolls out the welcome mat to traveling tourists. The town is an epicenter of oldtime mountain fun, from family
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Welcome Beverly-Hanks & ASSOCIATES
The high mountain peaks of Haywood County are often rime-covered during winter months. ASHLEY T. EVANS PHOTO
restaurants and fine dining to footstomping Appalachian song and dance to putt-putt, elk-spotting and some of the best snow skiing in the South. From spring to autumn, the valley is also packed with motorcyclists from around the country, who come to traverse the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway, motor through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and enjoy the camaraderie of other riders who make annual treks to Maggie to visit the Wheels Through Time Museum. The Museum is among the highlights of a visit to Maggie, featuring a world-class collection of historic motorcycles and some cars. Most of the motorcycles are still in running condition. The museum has been featured in dozens of television shows and magazine articles. Maggie herself, the town’s eponymous early resident, became its namesake when
her father realized that the hamlet must be named to have a much-desired post office. After submitting the names of his daughters — Maggie, Cora and Mettie — the postmaster settled on Maggie, and in 1904, a town was born. Maggie left the valley for Texas at 17, but her image and namesake live on in the bonneted silhouettes that adorn the town, welcoming visitors to the mountain way of life. A volunteer dressed as Maggie still roams the town’s sidewalks, welcoming visitors and posing for pictures. Speaking of Maggie traditions, don’t miss out on a visit to Joey’s Pancake House. It only serves breakfast, but it’s a hearty meal served up by a staff that knows how to treat their customers. Don’t be put off if there’s a line out the door — which there usually is on weekends — it moves fast and there’s complimentary coffee while you wait. Cataloochee Ski Area features the best skiing in the southern mountains and typically is one of the first ski resorts in the