Transcript:
Welcome back to Radio Cashiers!
Happy Tuesday!
This is Hannah Lee with Radio Cashiers and today is August 18th, the 230th day of 2026.
Let’s check temperatures across the Highlands – Cashiers – and Sapphire Valley region. It’s been rather warm on the mountain recently!
Reviewing our area’s weather stations shows it is 67 at the Highlands Newspaper, 68 at Cashiers Lake, and 67 at the top of old Baldy in Sapphire Valley. Cassidy we’ll cover a more detailed weather report later in this episode.
Welcome back to your community connection, where today we are exploring the breathtaking Blue Ridge Escarpment, focusing on the ultimate outdoor adventures and local music across Highlands, Cashiers, and Sapphire Valley over the next four days.
We kick off with a major highlight for nature lovers right in the heart of Sapphire Valley at Gorges State Park. This massive park spans over 8,000 acres of temperate rainforest and boasts rugged river gorges, plunging waterfalls, and exceptional biodiversity. Best of all, there are no fees required for day use, making it an incredible budget-friendly option. Visitors can dive into backcountry recreation with 56 miles of hiking trails, 17 miles of biking trails, and 12 miles of horseback riding paths. You can also explore the northern boundary of Lake Jocassee or hike a portion of the famous 70-mile Foothills Trail. If you want to make it an overnight adventure, the park features camper cabins, primitive backpacking tent sites, and RV sites with full hookups. Make sure to stop by the Grassy Ridge Visitor Center, open daily from 9 AM to 5 PM, to see the excellent educational exhibits before heading out. Keep in mind that the park hours are currently 7 AM to 10 PM during August, giving you plenty of daylight to safely explore the 26 waterfalls, but remember that pets must remain on a leash at all times and are not allowed inside the buildings.
Beyond Gorges State Park, the wider plateau is packed with spectacular outdoor options. You can take a scenic drive to view the iconic Dry Falls and Bridal Veil Falls right off the road near Highlands, or make the short, beginner-friendly hike to Silver Run Falls just south of Cashiers, which features a natural swimming hole and a small beach area perfect for a late summer afternoon. If you are up for a moderate challenge, the two-mile loop trail up Whiteside Mountain takes you along the Eastern Continental Divide for dramatic cliffside views over some of the oldest geologic formations on Earth. For an all-day wilderness trek, head into Panthertown Valley, affectionately known as the Yosemite of the East, which offers over 6,000 acres of protected streams, rare plants, and hidden cascades.
If you are looking for specific organized outdoor and community events this week, you can head over to Cashiers on Wednesday morning for the Locally Grown Farmers Market on the Green, running from 11 AM to 3 PM, where you can pick up homegrown treats and local farm crafts. Also, on Wednesday at noon, the Highlands Nature Center is hosting a fascinating outdoor guided walk focused on late summer blooms and adaptations. Led by Dr. Paul Manos of Duke University, this relaxed tour will take you through the beautiful Bog and Pollinator Gardens.
Whether you are looking to conquer rugged rainforest trails or unwind to mountain melodies under the stars, the plateau has an unforgettable four days lined up for you.
Here’s Cassidy with a special music update and your weather forecast.
Welcome back to your Music Guide to Mountain Moments! If you are looking to fill your week with incredible tunes, fine drinks, and great company, the Highlands-Cashiers plateau has an absolute blockbuster lineup of live music waiting for you from Wednesday, August 19th all the way through the weekend. Let’s dive straight into your weekly musical roadmap and these are just a sampling!
Kickstarting your week on Wednesday, August 19th, you have a tough choice to make because the plateau is buzzing with options.
First up, head over to High Country Wine and Provisions at 6:30 P.M. for an intimate singer-songwriter showcase called Songs and Stories. For just 20 dollars, you can catch heartfelt performances from Will Thompson, Eric Erdman, Anthony Peebles, and Lauren Spring paired with fine wine.
If you're craving some classic acoustic strings instead, The Ugly Dog is hosting live Bluegrass from 6:30 to 9:30 P.M.. Meanwhile, over at Happ’s Place, Corey Stevenson will be rolling in fresh tunes from 6:00 to 9:00 P.M.. And if you want a hearty Irish meal to go with your music, Cashiers Celtic Table is throwing their weekly live music night from 5:00 to 9:00 P.M..
Moving into Thursday, August 20th, the music keeps flowing. You can catch live music in the beautiful setting of Trailborn Highlands from 6:00 to 9:00 P.M. as part of their Carolina Concert Series, or head to The Ruffed Grouse Tavern for some soulful Blues Music from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M..
But the crown jewel of Thursday night is happening at 8:30 P.M. at the Highlander Mountain House Salon Series. Renowned artist Hayes Carll will be performing tracks from his tenth album, We’re Only Human. It's an incredibly unique opportunity to experience an understated, deeply honest performance in a cozy mountain setting, so make sure to reserve your spot early!
Then Friday, August 21st arrives, the weekend energy officially takes over.
For something truly magical, High Country Wine and Provisions presents Fleetwood Mac by Candlelight at 6:30 P.M.. Imagine listening to timeless Fleetwood Mac hits completely bathed in the warm glow of candlelight—tickets are 40 dollars for that intimate tribute.
Saturday, August 22nd is jam-packed from afternoon to late night.
Start your day early at Western Carolina Brew & Wine with Saturday Live Music featuring David Lloyd playing from 1:00 to 3:00 P.M., or lounge on the patio at Highlander Mountain House during the same time. As the afternoon rolls on, you can catch live music at The Vineyard at High Holly from 2:00 to 5:00 P.M. or settle in at the Blue Line Bar at Brookings' from 3:00 to 5:00 P.M.. At 3:30 P.M., Doug Ramsay takes the stage for Lyrics on the Lawn at the Highlands Wine Shoppe—the perfect spot for good wine and laid-back seasonal vibes.
Once the sun sets, the big evening events start. At 6:00 P.M., the Blue Ridge School Education Foundation presents the highly anticipated 20th Annual Nashville Songwriters’ Round at the Keller Pavilion at the Boys and Girls Club of the Plateau in Cashiers. It’s a spectacular night showcasing the raw, creative intimacy of writers and their guitars. Alternatively, you can head over to Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park at 6:00 P.M. for Saturdays on Pine, featuring The Will Thompson Band. Wrap up your Saturday night with the Alamo Band closing out the weekend at Happ’s Place from 6:00 to 9:00 P.M..
Finally, wind down your week on Sunday, August 23rd. Start your morning with a delicious Bluegrass Brunch at The Ruffed Grouse Tavern, where the live music runs from 10:30 A.M. to 12:30 P.M.. If you miss that, you can catch one last round of weekend tunes over at The Vineyard at High Holly from 2:00 to 5:00 P.M..
Staying in Cashiers or Sapphire Valley? Slopeside Tavern has your Sunday Funday with live music and a build your own bloody mary bar from 12 - 3!
Whether you are looking for classic bluegrass, wine-paired acoustic sessions, or rocking tribute nights, your mountain moments are waiting. Get out there, support these incredible artists, and enjoy the music! View the entire music week on our Local Music Calendar on Radio Cashiers.com
Listeners heading up to the Highlands, Cashiers, and Sapphire Valley plateau can look forward to beautiful mountain conditions over the next four days. Tuesday and Wednesday will bring spectacular, mostly sunny skies perfect for outdoor adventures, with daytime highs reaching the lower 80s and crisp, comfortable overnight lows dropping to around 60 degrees. Clouds begin to roll in by Thursday, bringing a localized chance of afternoon thunderstorms that carries over into a wetter Friday. High temperatures later in the week will cool slightly into the upper 70s, while nighttime lows remain steady in the mid 60s. Pack a light rain jacket alongside your hiking gear so you can transition easily from sunny ridge lines to cozy mountain afternoons
Thank you for tuning in! Don’t forget to check out our Local Music Calendar on our website as there are music sets everywhere this week and weekend. For more information and links to all today’s podcast items including our suggested dining venues, find area web cams, and other important information, visit Radio Cashiers.com. This is Radio Cashiers, keeping you connected to the community all season long. See you next time.