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SNOWBIRD MOUNTAINL . O . D . G . E

Find your true North where the mountains kiss the sky

Fly fishing is rarely all about

the fish. We plop our flies not only to pursue an elusive prize, but we also pursue an elusive experience that, perhaps, only a fellow fly fisherman understands. Located in one of the most beautiful areas of the Appalachian Mountain range, the owners of the Snowbird Mountain Lodge understand that experience. Secluded on a mountaintop in Western North Carolina, the privately owned lodge overlooks the scenic Lake Santeetlah as well as the Nantahala National Forest. Open since 1941, this historic lodge provides an unparalleled experience to its guests.by Ragan Whitlock

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The Wolfe brothers, who first built the property, were very concerned with the idea of including only the nearby resources into the business. The original lodge, for which construction first began in 1938, is considered by many to be a visual masterpiece. Now included in the national register of historic places, it was created fully from Native American Chestnut cut on the property. The walkways and rock structure all came from a quarry just outside of Andrews, NC.

The historical significance of Snowbird Mountain Lodge adds to the unique experience. Because of the historical trust, the main lodge will stay practically unaltered for years to come. “Rest assured, if a guest comes back to the lodge after visiting twenty years ago, everything will look exactly the same,” Caretaker Robert Rankin says. “The only thing that has changed recently was a bathroom renovation, which took five years for the approval and construction,” he humorously adds. Robert was a guest at Snowbird Mountain Lodge several times and bought the original lodge structure in 1995. Because preservation is key. many guests may be caught discussing how many decades they have stayed on the property. One loyal guest divulged that she and her husband have been traveling to Snowbird Mountain Lodge for over thirty years and have stayed in the same room every time.

close look - north carolina

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The main lodge, beautiful and historically significant as it is, is no longer the only lodging option at Snowbird Mountain Lodge. The Chestnut and Wolfe Lodges were created in the 90s to meet the needs of guests who preferred more amenities than the fixed historic structure could provide. Private decks, fireplaces and hot tubs can be found in these newer buildings. In addition, Snowbird Mountain Lodge also features an incredibly popular “summerhouse.” This open-air room sits on one of the larger decks and overlooks the vast mountain range. There are several couches and chairs as well as a gas fireplace in the center of the room. Guests are given the option to substitute a dessert at dinner for a S’mores basket to make in the summerhouse.

Though new lodging options have been created to meet the changing needs of guests, the Snowbird Mountain Lodge staff has retained the idea of using local resources that helped build the business. All room prices include three meals per day. Guests can expect a wonderful breakfast menu with most of the ingredients harvested from or near the property. All eggs used for the meals come from their 55 chickens which are positioned directly next to the vegetable garden. The garden contains a vast amount of produce soon to be used in the kitchen. Meats and other hard to manufacture goods come from nearby businesses such as Carolina Mountain Trout from nearby Bryson City who provides the local fish seen regularly on the dinner menu.

The activities offered really make anyone’s experience one of a kind. Upon arrival, each guest finds a large black binder in the room. This binder lists hikes, fishing streams, and lakes with a description of how to get to each location. The staff is also always more than willing to aid any customer with any need they may have. Equipment is available for use at no charge. Fly Fishing gear and spin tackle is offered for anyone who would like to fish in any of the countless nearby trout streams or in lake. Santeetlah, a lake five miles from the lodge entrance. Any guest wishing to rent a paddleboard, kayak or canoe, may simply ask the front desk for a rental key and remember to lock the boats back when finished. Larger bass boats and fishing guides for both the lake and streams are also available if desired.

The four-course gourmet dinners are one of the finest features of the lodge. All meals can be paired with local wines, beer or cocktails made at the extensive bar. In addition to the meal, lunch cards are provided at dinner to request specific sandwiches for the next day. All lunches are packed either in bags or in backpacks to take on whatever activity the guest chooses for the day.

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“Other than using a drift boat, we have every option imaginable to a fishermen in Appalachia,” Robert explains. There are countless miles of trout water within only a few miles of the lodge. Big Snowbird Creek, one of the more popular options, contains many different fishing options on one stream. The lower portion of Snowbird is hatchery supported, with large browns found regularly. While the hatchery supported section is a put-and-take, more fish are seen throughout the summer than in most streams. In fact, in late June, several twelve-inch browns were adapted enough to smack a small grasshopper on the surface. Immediately following the hatchery supported section

is several miles of delayed-harvest water. The delayed harvest has a good number of browns and rainbows. Because of the proximity of the delayed-harvest to a well-maintained hatchery section, fewer people can be seen removing fish from the section when the harvest starts. The last several miles of Snowbird Creek are all wild trout water. “If you are willing to hike, Snowbird has some of the best native brook trout fishing in the state,” Robert says. Snowbird Creek Road follows the stream for the entire fishable stream until the wild section. As many fishermen would prefer, the wild section requires a short to medium hike along a well-maintained trail.

close look - north carolina featured lodge

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featured lodgeApart from the two Snowbird Creeks, many of the other nearby trout waters can be pleasantly surprising. West Buffalo Creek is the quickest area to find trout when leaving the lodge. Three miles from the lodge entrance is West Buffalo road, which leads to the stream in less than five minutes. Sporadic brook trout may be found in the upper reaches of West Buffalo, but mostly six to eight inch rainbows will be found. While their size may be diminutive, these rainbows are incredibly eager and can be found in some of the more beautiful pools.

Other than the wonderful fishing, the most important thing for a prospective guest to know is that the Snowbird Mountain Lodge does not pigeonhole its guests into a certain experience. Guests are given the black binder, which details thousands of activities available to them. Whatever outdoor activity piques the interest of the customer, they should feel comfortable doing or asking the staff for more information. “We try not to overdo anything with our

guests; many of them just want to reconnect with nature and they know exactly what they want,” Robert says. “Other guests would like you to provide them with an option that suits them best. I am confident that after three or four questions, any member of our staff could craft a personal experience for the guest that blows away their expectations,” he continues.

Whatever your ideal outdoor adventure is, you will find it at Snowbird Mountain Lodge. The lodge is incredibly accessible, located only 90 miles from Asheville, 60 miles from Knoxville, 80 miles from Chattanooga and 150 miles (3 hours) from Atlanta.. Despite the proximity to an incredible amount of people, Snowbird Mountain Lodge paints the picture of total seclusion. In the evening, if you drink a glass of wine in the summerhouse, you will hear nothing other than a few birds chirping and the wind rustling through the trees. At night, the skyline is almost barren, no lights and no distractions. “The stars always seem brighter up at Snowbird,” Robert says. Maybe its time to go see why he is right.

close look - north carolina