Pickens Nose is a trail near Otto, North Carolina that's one of those hikes that's been on my list for a while now. Pictures really don't do this hike justice, so this blog may be a fool's errand, but I'm feeling foolish so here we go! Difficulty: Easy to moderate Length: 0.6 miles one way Why It's Cool: It's just so darn beautiful and full of mountains and Appalachian goodness. Be warned, much of the road to get to this overlook is gravel and curves up the mountain. There was a Corolla in the parking area upon arrival, so don't let the road deter you, but it's worth noting!
The trail from the parking area to the overlook is pretty heavily used, so it is easy to follow. There's an incline near the beginning that's a bit of a booty-kicker (trying to watch that potty mouth here), but the rest of the trail is relatively level.
Wow. The views really don't get much better than this. One thing that's nice about this trail are that there are several overlooks to explore once you've reached the top. Also, those layers of blue mountain waves are almost too gorgeous for words. It's absolutely classic Appalachian beauty and I will never not be in utter awe of how magnificent it is.
This overlook is a different one than the other pictured earlier. If you've seen a photo on Instagram of Pickens Nose, it's probably been from this overlook, and it's easy to see why. One thing that's nice here is that the pointy ledge is not as treacherous to get to as it seems. Obviously, one should always use caution when climbing around on the edge of a rock on top of a mountain. However, you don't need to go to death-defying measures to reach this picturesque spot.
Have a great time exploring those Appalachian Mountains, y'all! As always, remember to practice Leave No Trace when adventuring out in the wilderness. Take only pictures, and leave only footprints.
Happy wandering!
SHOP MOUNTAIN INSPIRED GOODS HERE:
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