September 22, 2022 Old Sugardlands is not a difficult trail; it may gain 1,000 ft. over 3.9 miles. It’s a historic hike full of side treks to a former CCC camp, rock walls, a rock house and sketchings of a bygone era. On this day, an easy trail turned into a hassle. I started from … More Old Sugarlands Trail
September 17, 2022 The first 2.7 miles of the Rainbow Falls Trail are very popular. Throngs of tourists traipse up what is a very well-maintained trail to the famous 80 ft. falls. Large, hand-hewn stones make stairs upon trails large enough fit 4-5 people side-by-side. On this day, the falls were but a trickle as … More Rainbow Falls Trail, Bullhead Trail (last 1/3)
September 4, 2022 I continued my exploration and hiking of the Smoky trails surrounding Mt. LeConte and Greenbrier, but this time hiked with my good friend Perry. Initially, we planned to hike Old Settlers Trail, but instead opted for Baskins and Grapeyard. In July of this year, flooding closed some trails and campsites at Greenbrier, … More Baskins Creek Trail, Grapeyard Ridge Trail
August 20, 2022 There are 6 different trails that lead to the summit of Mount LeConte. They say Bullhead is the most remote and least traveled. I have no idea why. This trail is a gem and utterly magnificent. I read some accounts that the trail was obscured with no views until Balsam Point, but … More Bullhead Trail (2/3), Twin Creeks Trail
August 7, 2022 Over the past month I have been reading a lot about fast-packing and thru-hiking. I stumbled upon a lot of information, but the best article was by Andrew Skurka. He presents a wonderful cost/benefit analysis of how to hike a fast thru hike. With my own time constraints and while hiking the … More Boulevard Trail
July 11, 2022 It is fascinating to let your mind wonder when hiking in the Smoky’s, because certain paths have feelings and sensations that are unexplainable. Almost as if one can sense the timeliness of the trail. Perhaps the Cherokee or some precursors cut this path to reach water or to hunt. Did settlers bring … More Mt. Sterling Trail, Long Bunk Trail
June 25-26, 2022 In the summer of 2020, I had a great intern, Ben. I always thought that he got the short end of the stick. He had to wear a mask all the time, he was not able to go to court as much, and we didn’t get to hang out. We are of … More Fork Ridge Trail
June 12-13, 2022 Hughes Ridge Trail intersects the Appalachian Trail and the Chasteen Creek Trail/Enloe Creek Trail. The ridge is not a difficult hike, but the hard part is reaching it. From Newfound Gap, it is a 10-mile hike or from Smokemont Campground it is steep 5.6 hike. I chose the latter and set out … More Hughes Ridge Trail
November 9-11, 2021 Fall in the Smoky’s. Sounds cliché, but it’s something that must be experienced. The leaves create a canopy of orange and yellow; it envelops you and delights your senses. On a crisp morning, I parked at Cosby campground and hiked the easy Gabes Mountain Trail (6.3 miles). Hen Wallow Falls is roughly … More Gabes Mountain Trail, Maddron Bald Trail, Albright Grove Loop Trail, Low Gap Trail, Camel Gap Trail
October 12-13, 2021 A divide is nothing more than a dividing ridge between drainage areas. Noland separates Deep and Noland Creek. The northern terminus starts a mile and a half from Clingman’s Dome and the Appalachian Trail and runs south for 11.5 miles to the Deep Creek Campground. My friends and co-workers, Margo and Howie … More Noland Divide Trail
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