November 16, 2017 I envisioned the end of the Pisgah 400 in just this manner. In lieu of finishing a small trail in the middle of the forest, I wanted to hike out of Pisgah. The closest to that would be the Shut-In Trail. It winds along the spine of the Blue Ridge Parkway (BRP) … More Shut-In Trail/Mountains-to-Sea Trail: Buck Spring Gap to French Broad River
November 11, 2017 The home-stretch is upon the Pisgah 400. Originally, I thought of doing 28 miles and finishing the challenge in a crazy blaze of glory. As I reflected on that idea, I realized that is not how I have hiked over the past 2 years. I’ve taken my time, enjoyed the trails, savored … More Buck Spring Trail/Mountains-to-Sea Trail: Pigeon Gap to Buck Spring Gap
November 9, 2017 Hiking in Shining Rock Wilderness is always an interesting endeavor. The terrain isn’t terribly difficult compared to the Black Mountain Crest or Grandfather Mountain, but the sheer solitude coupled with the lack of blazes makes orienteering a necessity. According to internet searches, I found only three other bloggers that have posted about … More Fork Mountain 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
November 5, 2017 Bradley Creek Trail is fun. An out-and-back from Turkey Pen Gap covers 12 miles and 28 creek crossings (the 14 crossings are pictured below). Fall foliage was in its late season splendor as orange and red danced brilliantly in the sun from the canopy of the forest. Surprisingly, the water was not … More Bradley Creek Trail
October 5, 2017 Squirrel Gap Trail is unique in Pisgah Forest. Most trails derive from established wagon roads or logging routes from days gone by. Squirrel is a single track path that weaves around mountains. From what I’ve gathered online, it was established under the C.C.C. for hiking. Tangentially, I’ve always been fascinated with the … More Squirrel Gap Trail, Horse Cove Gap Trail
October 4, 2017 I’m not sure why I’ve never hiked Turkey Pen Gap Trail. Located at the parking area for Turkey Pen, the trail runs 5.5 miles to the base of Black Mountain. The plan was not to do an out and back, but to hike it and then coast downhill on the Black Mountain … More Turkey Pen Gap Trail
October 3, 2017 Wilderness is not a luxury, but a necessity of the human spirit. -Edward Abbey Hiking in a federally designated Wilderness is to return to nature, as it was intended, free of blazes, signs and machinery. The Little East Fork Trail starts at Camp Daniel Boone and travels to the heart of the … More Little East Fork Trail
October 2, 2017 On paper, the South Mills River Trail does not look difficult. It’s only 12 miles and follows a river. In actuality, it’s 14.6 miles, crosses the river countless times, and is quite hard. What I thought would be a waltz of a hike turned into a backcountry masterpiece of a trail. The … More South Mills River 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
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