Graveyard Fields, NC -  (820 words) Includes side bars, Directions  and reference books.

By Bob Grytten

Despite its ominous-sounding name, the area is one of the most popular destinations along the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina. In 1925, a fire destroyed 25,000 acres — a fire so hot that it sterilized the soil in the valley, slowing its regrowth. Today, open fields of grasses and wildflowers thrive, punctuated by trees and shrubs of the returning forest — a unique departure from the dense forest canopy normally found in these mountains.

One hiker exclaims proudly, "Down and back in 15 minutes!" Not us. We linger there, soaking up this voice of nature. Serene. Fresh on this sunny afternoon. Welcome mist bids one to move closer. Here you may even find locals taking a cool dip. Tumbling water cascades over the 100-foot rock face of Second Falls.

After a picnic lunch, we head back. At the juncture we go right, take the footbridge over the Yellowstone Prong and begin a gentle return climb. The sun is low now. On this part of the trail there are many more rhododendron and wide patches of Galex, a prized flower in danger of becoming extinct.

The entire trail has taken about three hours, including stops. Back at the parking lot, another carload of hikers are lacing up their boots. They are in for a special time.

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