October 29, 2022 I intended to hike a huge 20 mile loop at the Road to Nowhere, Noland Creek to Springhouse Branch Trail to Whiteoak Branch Trail, but two things went against me. First, I woke up late and didn’t get to the trailhead until 10:00 am. Secondly, I felt my body getting sick that … More Noland Creek Trail (last mile), Tunnel Bypass Trail
November 8, 2017 This was the last hike in the South Mills River area of the Pisgah Ranger District. I’ve saved it for last, as I did not want to hike it in the summer. Known for being a breeding ground for copperheads, the trail meanders for 3.5 miles besides the South Mills and Bradley … More Riverside Trail
October 1, 2017 The countdown to finishing the Pisgah 400 (all the trails of the Pisgah Ranger District in North Carolina) has begun. Emily and I concocted a great plan: we would stay for the week at her family’s house in Hendersonville and I would spend the days hiking, and then spend the nights with … More Biltmore Campus Trail, Forest Festival Trail, Forest Discovery Trail
June 11, 2017 When I was seven years old we lived on a farm with two ponds and ample pastures. As I was walking with my family one day to fish, I stepped over a snake. I don’t remember reacting to it, but my mom was fairly upset. “That’s a water moccasin.” It was just … More Mullinax Trail, Laurel Creek Trail
April 22, 2017 I respect people that hike the Fastest Known Times (FKT) on trails. As much as I would respect any stellar athlete at an elite level of competition. I just don’t see the point of hiking something the fastest. I love those moments where you simply stop in the middle of the trail with … More Vineyard Gap Trail
April 14, 2017 Laurel Mountain Trail is my last trail in what is known as the Mills River area. 7.3 miles in length, it extends from Yellow Gap on F.S. 1206 to the M.S.T. near Mt. Pisgah and the Blue Ridge Parkway. It is rated as moderate and while there are steep sections, it was … More Laurel Mountain Trail, Laurel Mountain Connector Trail
April 9, 2017 Many years ago, I was day hiking by myself in South Mountain State Park; when from afar I see a middle-aged woman with a giant St. Bernard dog. As I’m prone to do, I yelled out, “Is your dog friendly?” The woman quickly shakes her head and says, “No!” She then kneeled … More Pilot Cove-Slate Rock Trail, Pilot Cove Loop Trail
April 2, 2017 On a sunny spring day, the masses will flock to a select few trails in the Pisgah Ranger District: Pink Beds, Graveyard Fields, Looking Glass Rock, Black Balsam Knob. Hidden near these other beautiful destinations is a gem: Pilot Rock Trail. I hiked three trails: Thompson Creek Trail (#602), Pilot Rock Trail … More Pilot Rock Trail, Pilot Rock Extension Trail, Thompson Creek Trail
March 26, 2017 In the Pisgah 400 challenge, I come across many types of trails. On this day I saw one of the worst trails and one of the best, in a weird forest dichotomy. I parked my car next to F.S. 5050, just outside of the North Mills Recreation Area on F.S. 1206. I … More North Mills River Trail, Yellow Gap Trail
March 19, 2017 Located in the North Mills River area, the Big Creek Trail is partially a pleasant stroll amongst a verdant forest and calm creek and partially a ball-buster of a haul up a mountain. Big Creek starts at the Hendersonville Reservoir, a convergence of Fletcher Creek and Big Creek which creates the North … More Big Creek Trail
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