April 7, 2021 The Big Fork Ridge Trail starts at Rough Fork at a nice single-log bridge. This is a nice trail, wide in parts, that gradually ascends Big Fork Ridge with only 612′ of elevation gain. There are some nice switchbacks and the ridge provides a wide spot for water and a snack. There … More Big Fork Ridge Trail, McKee Branch Trail
July 12, 2020 In undergrad one of my favorite subjects was phonetics, the study of speech and sounds. So many of the names in the mountains are simplistic in their genesis; deep gap, because the gap is deep; blue mountains, because in low light they are blue, etc. Once in a while, you will happen … More Boogerman Trail
July 8, 2020 Pandemic or not; I am jumping back on the Smoky 900 trail challenge. My family and I have dutifully stayed at home since March 12, 2020. We have cancelled all vacations, trips, extracurricular activities, outings, not eaten out or gotten take-out in an effort to flatten the proverbial curve. Alas, most Americans … More Cataloochee Divide 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
September 14-15, 2019 Looking at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Smoky’s) map, Spruce Mountain Trail is intriguing. It is a 1.2 mile, in-and-out hiking destination located off a one-lane Balsam Mountain Road. Campsite #42 is the terminus of the trail. My desire to hike and camp here is because of this solitude, as it … More Spruce Mountain Trail
August 17-18, 2019 I’ve encountered an abundant variety of wildlife in nature, from a wolf, moose, skunks, an occasional bear, boar, and a plethora of smaller animals. These outdoor rendezvous’ are often brief, with the animal quickly fleeing. This trip was something else completely. I am slowly hiking all 850 miles of trails in the … More Caldwell Fork Trail, Rough Fork Trail
June 13-15, 2019 Blog writing has always appealed to the chronicling portion of my mind (mileage and events). Part of it is a way to remember the trail in a logical manner. The purpose of this space was two-fold: write down a map for my kids to see what I accomplished and encourage others to … More Bradley Fork Trail, Hyatt Ridge Trail, Dry Sluice Gap Trail
July 28-29, 2018 Johnny and I have a tradition that we will go camping/backpacking at least once a month. For July, we chose the 13-mile Hemphill Bald Loop in the North Carolina section of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park (GSMNP). The loop and this area of the GSMNP is fascinating: giant poplars, abundant wildlife, … More Hemphill Bald Trail
December 3, 2017 I am usually punctual with the posting of hikes, but in the finality of 2017, time has eluded me. Last week we had a very atypical snow storm that leveled 10 inches in Boone. Unusual in the sense that winter is not officially here. Prior to the storm, I made my first … More Chestnut Branch Trail
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
