December 26, 2019 The Wilderness Act of 1964 is perhaps the most important and poetic laws in the United States. It was and remains revolutionary. In a capitalistic model, we have set aside land to be untouched, undeveloped. Unlike the stringent legal language of most regulations the law defines its purposes as:”[a] wilderness, in contrast … More Big Lost Cove Cliffs Trail
November 17, 2019 If you are looking for a challenging hike near Boone, NC, look no further than the Thunderhole and China Creek Trails. Located near the Blue Ridge Parkway and Blowing Rock, NC. This lollipop hike runs down Thunderhole Trail to Thunderhole Falls and then back up the ridge via the China Creek Trail … More Thunderhole Loop Trail
November 16, 2019 Tanawha translates as “fabulous hawk” in Cherokee. Apropos in meaning, the trail offers wondrous views of the High Country. For years I have meant to hike this trail. In 2017, torrential rains flooded the area and washed out the bridge near the Daniel Boone Scout Trail. In 2018, I started to hike … More Tanawha Trail
September 15, 2019 After camping at Spruce Mountain, I decided to grab another trail before heading back to Boone. One place I had not been to was the Tow String Trail. Sometimes referred to as the Tow String Horse Trail, it runs from Tow String Road to the Bradley Fork Trail near Smokemont Campground. The … More Tow String Trail
July 27, 2019 For the past month, I’ve gone on several backpacking trips and a lot of day hikes, but they have been to places that I have already chronicled (Max Patch to Walnut Mountain, the Roans, the Blue Ridge Parkway around Boone) and have chosen to just enjoy those moments. This past Sunday was … More Yellow Mountain Fire Tower
June 1, 2019 I have put off these two towers on the Lookout Tower Challenge for quite some time. They are short hikes, but they are located very far from where I live. Joanna Bald (or Teyahalee Bald) is located in Andrews, NC and Panther Top is in Murphy, NC. Both are located in the … More Joanna Bald Lookout Tower, Panther Top Lookout Tower
May 13, 2019 I’ve become enamored with the eastern rim of the gorge. For a great day hike with views, a little uphill and nice peaks; I highly recommend the Table Rock Gap Trail. To arrive at the trailhead, start on Hwy. 181, turn onto Table Rock Road, which will turn into a gravel and … More Linville Gorge Wilderness: Table Rock
May 5, 2019 After hiking Albert Mountain Tower, I met my good friend Perry at Outdoor 76 in Franklin, NC. The route to Cowee Tower is not overly complicated. We took Hwy. 28 for 15 minutes and arrived at Cowee. A “town” in Macon County, Cowee once was an important site for the Cherokee people. … More Cowee Bald Lookout Tower
May 5, 2019 Albert Mountain is mainly known for being the 100-mile mark on the Appalachian Trail (AT) from the southern terminus. Albert is located in Macon County in the Nantahala National Forest, just outside the Southern Nantahala Wilderness. I lived in Franklin for a year while I was practicing law in Sylva and would … More Albert Mountain Fire Tower
April 27, 2019 Many fire towers were built as recovery efforts during the Great Depression. At a time of hunger and desperation, the government developed work relief programs, enabling unemployed men the ability to earn a living. The results were some of the 20th century’s greatest engineering feats. Fire towers defy logic. Brut, manmade strength … More Shuckstack Tower
