May 12-13, 2024 As I finish the Smoky 900 (all the trails of the Smokies), one loop has eluded me for a while: a 32.7-mile circuit consisting of up the Appalachian Trail from Fontana to Spence Field Shelter, and then down Eagle Creek Trail. Eagle Creek was one of those trails that I had read … More Eagle Creek Trail
June 3-4, 2023 This spring and summer has been a lot of fun. My daughter and I have done several trips (the Virginia Creeper Trail and a beach trip) and she finished up her second spring of soccer. I love being a single dad, it is far-and-away the single most wonderful thing I have ever … More Panther Creek Trail, Ramsey Cascades Trail
October 23-24, 2021 Two miles above Georgia and barely in Macon County, North Carolina (NC) is a wonderful, short loop. It is a quintessential Nanthala Ranger District hike. The trailhead for the loop starts at the end of Blue Valley Road (a gravel road about 6 or so miles south from Highlands, NC). It is … More West Fork Trail, Hurrah Ridge Trail, Picklesimer Rock House Falls 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
August 20-22, 2021 My slow, sloth-like completion of the Smoky 900 continued in August. On a really pleasant weekend, my friend Howie and Johnny met just outside Bryson City, NC and left a car at the Deep Creek Campground. We then all rode together to the northern trailhead for the Deep Creek Trail just off … More Deep Creek Trail
July 31 – August 1, 2021 Shining Rock Wilderness is quite breathtaking, chockfull of sweeping vistas, balds, and several peaks over 6,000′. It is also jammed with people hiking the trails and driving to the trailheads. Right next to Shining Rock, separated by Hwy. 215, is a gem. Middle Prong Wilderness has beautiful vistas, gorgeous … More Middle Prong Wilderness
June 18-19, 2021 Cabin Flats is a very short trail at .8 miles. For some reason, I had never hiked it before, even though I’ve hiked Dry Sluice Gap Trail and Bradley Fork. Aside from hiking the Smoky 900 challenge, why would one hike this trail? Well, it has one of the best campsites in … More Cabin Flats Trail
May 21-23, 2021 My plan was to spend 3 days in the Smoky’s and hike in via Mingus Creek Trail, spend the night at campsite #52 (Newton Bald), hike down to campsite #60 (Bumgarner Branch) via Sunkota Ridge Trail and then back to the car on Sunday via the Deeplow Gap Trail. In total, I … More Mingus Creek Trail, Sunkota Ridge Trail, Deeplow Gap Trail
April 17-18, 2021 I woke up around 6:30 am at campsite 39. There was a faint glow of light showing through my tarp. I climbed out of my sleeping bag into the cold morning and made some coffee. Soon the sunlight shone upon the Shanty Mountain Ridge, and the day began. Johnny and I had … More Palmer Creek 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