The Graybeard Trail is a 9-mile out-and-back trail in the Montreat area of Black Mountain, North Carolina. It is well blazed with blue, plastic diamonds. The ample signage and maintenance are some of the best I’ve seen since visiting Pearson’s … Continued
Lover’s Leap is a 1½ mile out-and-back trail featuring 3 rocky overlooks near Hot Springs, North Carolina. It’s a very short section of the Appalachian Trail (AT) and you can make the hike a loop by taking the Silvermine trail … Continued
Helton Creek Falls is a waterfall attraction near the Blood Mountain Wilderness in north Georgia. It’s nestled between the Walasi-Yi Interpretive Center and Vogel State Park. I’ve driven past the sign several times and I finally checked it out. It’s … Continued
Pilot Cove/Slate Rock Loop is a 7+ mile series of trails in Pisgah National Forest near Mills River, North Carolina. This area of the forest is much less popular than the traditional attractions along US 276 and the Blue Ridge … Continued
As I’ve said before, I’m more of a hiker than a camper. Even though hikers camp and campers hike, the best part of backpacking for me is the walking. I don’t blog most of my backpacking trips because I start … Continued
I’ve been to Silvermine Bald Overlook a few times. The first time was during my first Art Loeb Trail thru-hike when I randomly stumbled upon it. The leaves were changing and I was stunned at the unexpectedly alpine landscape. View … Continued
Devil’s Courthouse is a 5720-foot rock feature just off the Blue Ridge Parkway (mile marker 422.4) in North Carolina. Although the summit requires a short, steep hike, I’m categorizing it as an attraction because it’s right off the road. There … Continued
Most posts to this site involve the travelog, but some simpler experiences demand be shared as well. As I’ve said before, Black Balsam Knob is one of my favorite places. I’m in the Shining Rock Wilderness often because of all … Continued
This loop was sort of an accident. As I said before, I’m trying to hike every foot of the Mountain Bridge Wilderness this winter. I’ve done much of it before, but this is a fun way for me to try … Continued
I’ve been wanting to get in some big miles while the weather is unseasonably warm and sunny. I had plans in Asheville on Friday night, so I figured I’d just drive to a campsite afterward. That way I could hit … Continued