July 2 & 4, 2023 Warning: This post talks about the death and suicide of a dear friend of mine. Just in case. In April of this year, my very good friend and constant backpacking buddy, Johnny took his own life. I will never forget the phone call that I received telling me what had … More Hannah Mountain Trail, Rabbit Creek Trail
July 1, 2023 I really enjoy my job, especially some of the benefits geared towards employee well-being. Every seven years we are afforded a months long paid sabbatical. My first attempt at taking this break was in April 2020, which turned out not to be a great time to travel. Fast forward to 2023, I … More Cucumber Gap 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
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 24, 2023 These trails span a rigid dichotomy in hiking terrain. The Ridge Trail is steadier, winds up and out of a lush creek valley, and has some very nice switchbacks. The Bald Trail wouldn’t know a switchback if it saw one, has some brutal ups-and-downs and on this day, a large amount of … More Gregory Ridge Trail, Gregory Bald 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 13, 2023 Far along Hwy. 28, near Tapoco and Joyce Kilmer, is a small ranger station and parking lot, Twentymile. This area is a favorite, as you are unlikely to see others and mostly have the trail to yourself. This whole region is amazing beyond words. Graham and Swain Counties are legitimately one of … More Wolf Ridge Trail, Long Hungry Ridge 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