Solar Eclipse Totality in North Carolina

Sylva,
Jefferson County, 
North Carolina

I travelled with my family on a camping trip to North Carolina, and we were fortunate to be able to see the solar eclipse on Monday, August 21, in totality. The timing worked out well, and although this was further than my typical distance on a camping trip, it was worth the effort to view the full eclipse.

Seeing the eclipse in totally vs. only partially (even at 99%) doesn't compare, as the effects are much more impressive when its in full. I had heard this point, but agree with it strongly now that I've experienced it.

Our campground was located in Old Fort, North Carolina, east of Asheville. We had to drive about an hour west, past Asheville, to get to the full eclipse zone. We headed out in the morning, had some traffic, and arrived at Sylva several hours prior to the eclipse. I had chosen Sylva as it is a picturesque town and there were activities related to the eclipse throughout the town. Sylva is located in the area near the Great Smokey Mountains, and the drive there is really pretty and mountainous. Sylva itslef is nestled among the large mountains of the Appalachians. We parked on top of the hill right next to the Jackson County Courthouse, which overlooks the entire town, and this ended being a great place to experience the eclipse as we saw the full town darken and lights go on.

The start of the partial eclipse began at 1:06 PM, and totality was reached at 2:35 PM. The totality lasted for 1 minute and 44 seconds. Up until 10 minutes prior to the totality, it may have been slightly darker, but you really don't notice anything without looking through the eclipse glasses. It's only as the totality approaches does it really start getting area, and then the totality it really gets dark, like at 10 minutes after sunset!

There were crowds of eclipse tourists throughout the town. Thousands of people descended here to witness the event. When totality was reached, a tremendous cheering was heard throughout the town, and then another booing when the totality had ended. Once the totality ended, within 20 minutes almost everyone started heading out, presumably to beat the traffic. It was no avail, as the roads were almost entirely stopped for hours well into the night. It took almost three hours to return to our campsite for a one hour drive! But it was still worth it as this is a once or perhaps twice in a lifetime event to witness.

Hill at the County Courthouse Overlooking Sylva, Prior to the Eclipse

Looking up the Hill to the Courthouse, prior to the Eclipse

The Eclipse has Begun. Partial Stage with somewhat of a Faintness

Partial Eclipse.
I took this photo with a Weldler's Glass over the Camera.

Eclipse is Intensifying and its Getting Somewhat Darker

Eclipse is Nearing Totality. Also taken Through a Welders Glass.

Getting close to Totality. Darkness is Descending Over Sylva.

Immediately Before Totality

Sylva During Totality

The Actual Eclipse. The Photo Adds much more Sun Halo than in Actuality.

Zoomed In

Eerie Experience as the Eclipse gets Obscured by a Cloud Immediately after Totality

Eclipse Picture taken from my Nephew Rafael Koegel,
who took this photo in from Salem, Oregon

Another photo from Rafael

Bear Mountain Bridge, Zoo, and Hessian Lake

Bear Mountain State Park
Westchester/Rockland/Orange Counties,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Appalachian Trail: White blaze
Major Welch Trail: Red blaze
1777 W Trail: Red blaze

Total Time: 1:40 hour
Estimated Distance: 3.1 Miles

Pros: Great views
Cons: Very busy area

Hiking Partner:
Shimmy Rosenberg

I had really hurt myself earlier in the week while climbing down Bear Mountain. I could not do a big hike or any elevation changes, so I opted for something easy, flat, and paved. We drove over the Bear Mountain Bridge and parked on the eastern side at the end of the bridge, on the corner of Route 9D. We walked along the north path of the bridge, which is concurrent with the Appalachian Trail and the point where this trail crosses the Hudson River. After crossing the bridge from Westchester into Rockland, we went though the Bear Mountain Zoo, which also trails along the Appalachian Trail, combined with the 1777 W Trail. We took the detour to Fort Clinton, and took the spur by the bear den to the view in the zoo. We then took the trail to the end of the zoo, walked to Hessian Lake, and looped around its southern end to the trail on the west side, which is along the Major Welch Trail. We then continued around the north side of Hessian Lake, going into Orange county, and then cut across on the grass to Route 9W, which we crossed. We then went along the southern walkway of Bear Mountain Bridge and went back to our car.

Map of the Route

Approaching Bear Mountain Bridge in Westchester

Plaque at the Bridge

Looking Across the Hudson River a the Popolopen Bridge

Looking North a the Hudson River and Metro North Line

Looking North with a Trail in View

Shimmy Midspan

The Three Popopopen Bridges

Hudson River, Facing North

Me on the Bear Mountain Bridge

On the Bridge, with Anthony's Nose Behind Me

Me on the Bridge

The Historical Toll Booth

Me at an Appalachian Trail Plaque, with a Long Distance Hiker to my Left

Cactus Grove Growing in the Zoo

Swans in the Pond in the Zoo

Fort Clinton, in Bear Mountain Zoo

View from Bear Mountain Zoo of the Notch in the Hudson River

Notch Between Manitou and Dunderberg Mountains

Bear Mountain Bridge and Anthony's Nose

North Shore of Hessian Lake, Facing South Toward Dunderberg

View from the Bridge of the Hudson River, Facing South

Bear Mountain Major Welch Downhill

Bear Mountain State Park
Rockland/Orange Counties,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Major Welch Trail: Red blaze

Total Time: :30 hour
Estimated Distance: 1.6 Miles

Pros: Great scramble and views
Cons: Very busy on bottom
Level of Difficulty: Difficult

I usually make a trip to Bear Mountain on one of the Wednesday's in the summer when the park hosts the vintage car show. The show involves vintage and eclectic car hobbyists coming up the large lawn at Bear Mountain and showing off their cars. Its a nice event and very worthwhile visiting.

This time I had my wife drop me off at the Major Welch Trail where it crosses Perkins Memorial Drive. So this hike was down the mountain to the inn area and car show. I ran down the trail very fast, only stopping to take some pictures at the view and at Hessian Lake. My hiking shoes were in poor condition and combined with my lack of hiking sticks and no breaks really put me in pain the next day, spraining my leg muscles.

Please excuse the picture quality. They were taken with my cell phone camera.)

Map of the Route

Major Welch Trail Atop Bear Mountain

View on the Major Welch Trail

At the Famous Viewpoint

Bear Mountain Bridge in the Distance

Looking Towards Anthony's Nose and the Hudson River

Me at the Top

Hudson River and Anthony's Nose

Hudson River Facing North

Looking Towards Brooks Lake

Large Rock Face Descending the Major Welch

Hessian Lake Approaching Sunset

Hessian Lake with Anthony's Nose Towering Behind the Lake

Car Show at Bear Mountain