July 30, 2023 The hiking loop from Fontana Dam to Shuckstack Tower, down Lost Cove Loop and return to the trailhead via the Lakeshore Trail is an interesting reminder of the genesis of this region. The modern history of the mountains of North Carolina was marked by several events: the history of Indigenous stewardship and … More Lost Cove Trail
July 18, 2023 Little River Trail is not that difficult of a hike at 6.4 miles long and 1,202’ of elevation gain, but today it was hard. The Canadian wildfires continued to waft in huge amounts of smoke and the weather was extremely hot and humid. The trail is a forest service style road for … More Little River Trail, Rough Creek Trail
July 14, 2023 The second portion of completing all the (Tennessee) trails in the Smokies during my sabbatical started with a nice, albeit hot hike out of Elkmont campground. It was too much in this heat wave to hike all the trails between upper Tremont and Elkmont, so I broke them up into two hikes. … More Jakes Creek Trail, Miry Ridge Trail (1/2)
July 6, 2023 The Brushy Mountain Trail in the Smoky Mountains is a 5.9-mile out-and-back trail that offers breathtaking views of the surrounding area. Starting from the Brushy Mountain Trailhead, I made my way through the lush forests and rolling hills, albeit with little black gnats attacking my ears and eyes. The trail was well-marked, … More Brushy Mountain Trail
April 25, 2023 The Laurel Falls Trail was as ugly as the Middle Prong Trail was bewitching. This trail is chock-full of lush forests, thunderous waterfalls, beautiful foliage, and it is nearly devoid of hikers. I highly recommend it. Five (5) miles along Upper Tremont Road is a hidden trail. Certainly one that I did … More Middle Prong Trail
April 25, 2023 I’ve thought about hiking this trail more than any other over the past two weeks. Is it nice? No. Is there a lovely trail to the falls? No, it’s paved the whole way. Are the falls that impressive? No way. For some reason, this trail is one of the most popular in … More Laurel Falls Trail
April 23, 2023 I particularly like those hiking experiences that are not inundated with people and views and waterfalls. My preference is for the vast green tunnel, the immersion into the depths of the forest. Lumber Ridge and Meigs Mountain are a perfect example of such an occurrence: lush, verdant forests for one to lose … More Lumber Ridge Trail, Meigs Mountain Trail
April 12, 2023 I’ll be completely honest; this trail is janky. Yes, Andrews Bald is pretty incredible, but overall this trail was not fun to hike. Perhaps that’s what makes the Smoky 900 so interesting; you hike trails that you would never hike otherwise. For those reading this and thinking, “this man knows nothing;” you’re … More Forney Ridge Trail
April 11, 2023 This is an arduous climb from Little River Road to the Appalachian Trail (AT) near Mt. Collins. The total ascent is 4,174 ft. over 12 miles. Fortunately, I decided to hike it down in lieu of an all-day push. The trail starts near the Mt. Collins Shelter on the AT. It was … More Sugarland Mountain Trail
April 10, 2023 There is a long series of trails running the length of the northwestern boundary to the park from the Sugarlands Park Headquarters to the Townsend Wye. For 21.3 miles, the trails meander along this edge. From Sugarlands, Cove Mountain is an uphill slog, gaining 2,862 ft. in 8.7 miles. The trail ends … More Cove Mountain Trail, Little Greenbrier Trail, Roundtop Trail