The Yellow Mountain Trail is an out-and-back hike near Highlands, North Carolina. It can combined with other area trails to make a weekend backpacking trip, but most people climb the mountain to visit the historic fire tower at the summit. … Continued
Jones Gap State Park in upstate South Carolina is a real gem. It’s part of the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area along with Caesars Head State Park and a trail network connects the two parks. There’s even a spur that connects … Continued
I drive through Caesars Head State Park all time on my way to Pisgah National Forest in the Brevard and Asheville areas of North Carolina. I somehow got it in my head a long time ago that I already hiked … Continued
The Coosa Backcountry Trail in Vogel State Park in northeast Georgia features a 12.9-mile loop. The park stresses that this shouldn’t be treated as a day-hike, but I disagree with that. The elevation is moderate-to-strenuous for seasoned hikers, but I … Continued
I finally got around to hiking the 4½ mile Coldspring Branch/Bill Kimball loop at Caesars Head. The western trails at Caesars Head (Raven Cliff Falls, Gum Gap, Dismal Loop, and the Foothills Trail connector) seem to get more attention than … Continued
The Foothills Trail is a footpath between Oconee State Park and Table Rock State Park in upstate South Carolina. The white-blazed trail is 77 miles long and features everything from old logging roads to ridge walks to winding contours to … Continued
I was supposed to do the steep section of the Foothills Trail over the weekend, but someone set Pinnacle Mountain on fire. All trails in the Table Rock area were closed. My timing has never been very good. View this … Continued
I don’t know how I’ve never been to Panthertown Valley before. It is a truly unique part of Nantahala National Forest that features a pretty extensive trail system. Best of all, the pathways intersect frequently, allowing you to stitch several … Continued
The Art Loeb Trail is a 30.1-mile pathway through Pisgah National Forest that crosses four 6000-foot peaks and winds around the base of a fifth at Cold Mountain. I’m still shaking down my new gear, so I thought this would … Continued
