March 26, 2016 As we raise children, so often we save and show things to instruct them: a favorite book, a movie that changed us, a song that moved us. We hope to impart some of knowledge to them, have them grow with wisdom. How important it is to save trails for our children as well. … More Moore Cove Trail
March 25, 2016 Club Gap Trail: the undulation, the mica-infused rocks, the three second rapid flapping of the cardinal’s wings. Avery Creek Trail is so lush with spring’s first signs. Butterflies were flocking above waterfalls; snails were slithering across mud, flowers starting to bloom. American sensibility dictates that I would map the quickest and fastest … More Club Gap Trail, Buckwheat Knob Trail, Avery Creek Trail
March 19, 2016 The trailhead for Buckhorn Gap is located off of F.S. 477 (2.6 miles from Hwy. 276). On the map, it’s just north of my previous hikes at Pressley Cove and Perry Cove. I created a quasi-loop, hiking the Buckhorn Gap Trail to Twin Falls Trail (very easy grade for 1.5 miles); then … More Buckhorn Gap Trail, Twin Falls Trail, Clawhammer Cove Trail
March 13, 2016 Pressley Cove Trail is steep hike, albeit, at 1.1 miles, it is short. The trailhead is located on F.S. 477, near Hwy. 276 outside Brevard. It’s sort of hidden, but it starts on the right hand side of the road, just past the Bennett Gap trailhead and a one-lane bridge. The trail … More Pressley Cove Trail
March 13, 2016 A rainy day is the perfect time for a walk in the woods. –Rachel Carson Several years ago I decided to day hike on the A.T. over the Roan Mountains in extremely heavy rain and wind. The gales buffeted me as I made my way across the balds, the rain lambasting my … More Bennett Gap Trail, Perry Cove Trail
March 12, 2016 I have a theory: if you draw an imaginary 3 miles radius around a parking lot at a trail head; all conversation within that 3 miles is awful. All conversation outside of it is exponentially better. Why? I have no idea. The second hike of the day was just outside of Coontree … More Coontree Loop Trail
March 12, 2016 I try to keep my blog positive. I do not want to languish in the quagmire of a difficult hike, or complain of people or places. Alas, in the pursuit of hiking every trail in the Pisgah Ranger District, I am faced with hiking trails I normally would not venture upon. The goal … More Grassy Road Trail, Thrift Cove Loop Trail, Starens Branch Trail, Staamns Branch Trail
March 8, 2016 Sycamore Cove Loop Trail is a wonderful little path just north of Davidson Campground. Meant for use by hikers and mountain bikers, the trail traces the outline of Starens Branch and the surrounding ridge. The best part of this medium grade hike was the appearance of trout lilies, the surest sign of spring yet. … More Sycamore Cove Loop Trail
March 8, 2016 The North Slope Trail starts in the Davidson Campground, just outside of Brevard. I parked my car at the Pisgah Ranger District Office, walked east on Hwy 276 for ¼ mile, before turning right into the Davidson Campground. It’s a further ¼ mile walk to the trail head on the left, indicated … More North Slope Trail, North Slope Connector Trail
March 5, 2016 “I like the mountains because they make me feel small,’ Jeff says. ‘They help me sort out what’s important in life. – Mark Obmascik There are three challenging, yet short trails surrounding Looking Glass Rock. I believe they are meant for rock climbers, but they offer the day-hiker an up-close look at the … More Slick Rock Falls Trail, Sunwall Trail, North Face Trail