May 28, 2017 “There are no words that can tell the hidden spirit of the wilderness, that can reveal its mystery, its melancholy and its charm.” – Theodore Roosevelt When I was very young, I heard people talk about the Smoky’s in terms that is usually reserved for far-distant destinations of allure and mystery. When … More Big Creek Trail, Swallow Fork Trail, Baxter Creek Trail
February 4-5, 2017 “It is one of the blessings of wilderness life that it shows us how few things we need in order to be perfectly happy.” -Horace Kephart I’m often amazed at the reluctance of some to go camping. “What about _______ [insert any deathly fear, i.e. bears, snakes]?” they will ask. “Aren’t you … More Porters Creek Trail
November 27, 2016 Hiking all the trails for a particular area can take one to obscure places they would normally not even think about visiting. Cooper Creek Trail is located on a sliver of North Carolina, abutted on three sides by different jurisdictions: the Cherokee Indian Reservation, N.C., and the National Park. The trail is … More Cooper Creek Trail
November 18-20, 2016 It’s late fall and the temperatures have felt more like mid-summer rather than the cusp of winter. It has been nearly 70 days since any measurable rainfall in Western North Carolina, wildfires are popping up over the region. Most started by deranged pyromaniacs/attention seekers, but the bone dry conditions act like vat of gasoline. … More Mt. Sequoyah, Mt. Chapman
November 11, 2016 Oh, these vast, calm, measureless mountain days, days in whose light everything seems equally divine, opening a thousand windows to show us God. – John Muir I am beginning to understand the mythical allure of the Smoky’s, with its wildlife, epic views and tough, spindly paths. At the end of a tumultuous … More Mount Cammerer Trail, Lower Mount Cammerer Trail
November 5-6, 2016 There are forty peaks over 6000’ as part of the South Beyond 600 Challenge. The most remote and difficult are located in the backcountry of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. I’ll be honest; these are hard peaks to grab. They require a lot of research and a lot of compass/orienteering skills. My … More Old Black, Tricorner Knob, Mark’s Knob, Mt. Guyot
October 13, 2016 This time of year it is very hard to keep me at work. I often will take several “sick days” while the leaves are turning and the weather is cooler. Even though I was “infirmed”, Emily, Alice and I headed to the Smokemont Campground on this beauteous day. There are two ways … More Smokemont Loop Trail
With the promise of changing leaves, the family and I hiked the Flat Creek Trail (2.6 miles) in the GSMNP on a bright fall day. This is an family friendly trail, that winds between Heintooga Bald and Balsam Mountain with three simple creek crossings. I love North Carolina in the fall, and love it so … More Flat Creek Trail
January 31, 2016 I believe that it is so important to take children on hikes as often as possible. Perhaps they won’t recall the detail of the leaves, moss, creeks, and vistas, but they will remember what it felt like to be in the grandeur of the great outdoors. At the end of the Road … More Goldmine Loop Trail
January 30, 2016 Hiking all 900 miles of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park is quite challenging and takes dedication. The best part of the challenge though, are the hikes that I take with my family. Slowing down to look and touch the orange-black fronded mushrooms blossoming from the felled trees. Marveling at the winterberry … More Juney Whank Falls Trail, Deep Creek Horse Trail
