I drove down from KY to escape the heat and decided to hike this trail. I haven't hiked in NC so didn't know what to expect, but I walked away with a new found love for a place. The trail was definitely challenging and a bit longer than what AT said, which I don't mind because of how much I enjoyed it. I Will be back to explore other trails and some backpacking trips.

Hi hiking friends. New here and just wanted to share that I publish a free biweekly newsletter the Ridgeline Roundup for news about everything WNC forest, mountains and trails. No ads or anything like that - just want to share the latest about our great community. Check it out here. News submissions welcome.

My friend's husband is the person who fell at Shortoff Mountain in Linville Gorge. He is currently in the hospital with multiple serious injuries and may never walk again.

The bills are mounting and they are trying to move him from his current hospital in North Carolina to The Shepherd Center in Atlanta. Shepherd is a nationally recognized rehabilitation hospital specializing in spinal cord injury.

He and his family need help.

https://gofund.me/6662d7779

Started at 3:45 am, ended at 5:20 pm

Wasn't as bad as I was expecting going into it, fatigue was the main issue. But my feet held up pretty well and chafing was at a minimum. What makes this route possible is the fact nearly all elevation gain is at the beginning. I was able to jog an 11-12 minute mile for about a 10 mile stretch of this trail, as well as running all the down portions. My overall average pace was a 17:50 mile

Trail conditions were pretty good, the balsam mountain trail was the worst but it was just hopping over the occasional downed log, nothing treacherous. Water sources were plentiful, I only ever filled up at cosby knob then again by laurel gap.

Watching the sunrise on mount cammerer was incredible, unfortunately I had to wait there for about 40 minutes waiting for the sun to come up because I got there when it was still pitch black.

I got rained on around 2pm and it was downpour for 30 mins straight. Kept me moving though, when I got to mount sterling the views were opening up and I could see all the swirling clouds low in the valleys, was so epic. Also the Baxter creek trail descending mount sterling is so pretty, the moss and fern covered floors with the tall spruce trees feels like I'm in Narnia. Losing 4800 feet in elevation just absolutely killed me though.

A beautiful hike overall, and I'm happy to answer any questions for those interested

Back on Hawksbill working on the re route with WildSouth. Still prepping the new trail corridor so the digging can begin. Today was clearing several downed trees and finishing clearing the corridor for the trail.

To volunteer contact Wildsouth.org

Do you carry a pistol on hikes?
I’m considering getting a 10mm.
Bear gun, and general protection

Thanks

Hi, I’m currently in the Raleigh area, planning to do hanging rock alone. I’ve hiked before but wanted to do a more “chill” one as my first one alone.
What’s the best trail to take ? And how long should I expect to be hiking for ?
Also is there anything essential I should bring other than snacks water bug spray. Are the waterfalls swimmable ?

Started sunny and ended with the last mile in rain. Always a good hike, about 5 miles in a loop off the Blue Ridge Parkway. Good for hikers who want something a bit strenuous but not remote. I always spot sallies along the many creek crossings.

Can anyone id the salamander here? There were a couple of them, about 6 inches long from nose to tail tip pale yellow and brown.

There is a huge yellow jack nest in the middle of the Mt. Mitchell trail about 1.5 miles in from black mountain campground. My friends and our dogs and me just got bombarded. FYI.

I live in west Michigan (lower peninsula) and am starting to get back into hiking. I’ve done a solid handful of miles on the NCT, but have never done any winter hiking on the trail. I’m not interested in snowshoeing or skiing the trail, so my question is how much of the trails around the lower peninsula see enough winter activity to allow hiking in just boots? Would be a possible overnight, but probably more of a day hike situation.

Day hike to Black Balsam Knob & then an out and back on the MST.
Great views, great weather and the joyous hum of bees enjoying the beautiful wild flowers.

Hey all, just checking in to see if anyone can confirm the current status of the High Shoals Falls trail in South Mountains Park. The park office is closed, so I’m unable to call and check. We were considering going here tomorrow based on talking with someone local that said it was back open. However, the website (updated June 9th, so maybe stale info) says it’s still closed. Has anyone been out that way in the last couple weeks that can confirm either way?

Thanks!!

Hey guys I’m planning my next solo hike for this upcoming Monday. I really want to do a sunrise hike. I picked these 2 locations since there around 4.5hrs away from me. I’m doing craggy pinnacle in the morning, heard it’s a really short “hike” to the summit from the parking lot and it’s pretty rewarding. Afterwards I plan to drive to Mount Mitchell once the park opens and do the 5.6 mile trail. My current plan is arrive at craggy around 6am. Sunrise at 7:06am. Spend some time up there. Take the long way around (Use 19 and 80 since the parkway is close so the drive is like 1.5hrs). Get to the Mount Mitchell trial parking lot on the black mountain campground (which I know is close, but maybe the parking lot is open?) and then hike Mount Mitchell! Any advice? I just want to make sure I didn’t miss anything that could sidetrack me. Also could use some good breakfast recommendations = )

This is the trail, I think I might add mount crammerer which would make it nearly 35
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/north-carolina/big-creek-perimeter-loop

Now I have experience with long day hikes, most of mine as of late have been 20-25, and recently I did the 31 mile Art Loeb trail in a day, which was absolutely brutal and I got the worst crotch rash of all time. But because the majority of this hike is on a ridgeline and is pretty flat, it should be a bit easier right? I'm usually able to run on flat terrain for long stretches.

What should I prioritize during this long hike? How do I keep my feet in good condition, and what should I bring as food (other than electrolytes and the basics).

Hi! I was speaking with my thirteen year old son this morning about a potential fishing trip to the mountains, but he didn't express any interest. I asked, not really thinking he'd be interested, if he'd be up for some hiking. He enthusiastically said yes. We've drifted apart the last year or so, mostly due to my insane work schedule and struggles with mental health. The mental health has somewhat improved, but my doctor has suggested more time in nature as a way of exercise and for the benefits of being surrounded by trees and just being outdoors on general.

So, with that being said, to capture the moment while he's interested, I thought about Hanging Rock. We've never been (usually just go to Stone Mountain to slide down the rocks at Widow Creek falls). It's not too far away, either.

Are there less than strenuous trails there? He's type one diabetic so I don't want him to get too exerted. I also want this to hopefully be the start of a new hobby for both of us, so want the first outing to be successful. Are there any suggested trails for a couple of beginners? I used to hike a lot when younger and in scouts, but I'm in less than ideal shape now, too, pushing forty.

Many thanks in advance for taking the time to read this. Open to any suggestions of other great places to hike, too.

I’m hoping this is a good place to ask. I’ll be in the area of PNF for thanksgiving. Looking to spend some time with my family who are not big hikers, by riding some forest service roads (we love riding dirt roads in the south GA). I found a few on google, just wanted to see what other had to say. Picture of my bone stock truck, I do have ridge grapplers on it.

Tagged Richland Balsam, Lickstone Ridge, Reinhart Knob, and Mount Hardy.

The sunset pictures at the end are my favorite. Was insane running down the parkway with those views

I had planned a loop hike in the Snowbird Wilderness Study Area this week and wanted to give some insight into how it’s looking out there. This hike was not for the casual hiker and portions of this trail system could be dangerous with the state of trail maintenance at the moment.

The plan was to hike out from the trailhead at Hooper Bald off the Cherohala skyway to take the slow downhill King Meadow trail to The Junction and hop on trail 64 (Big Snowbird Creek Trail) that loops back up to a connecting trail called “Mitchell Lick” which completes the loop. Part of Mitchel Lick connects the nice Hooper Bald paths with the King Meadow trail.

Well, we made it about 100 yards onto Mitchell Lick before the trail was completely gone. It’s so overgrown we could not find a trace of it. We decided to pivot and drove to the Junction trailhead up by Robbinsville instead, which connects the King Meadow trail, Big Snowbird, and Snowbird Mountain trails.

There are nice campsites along the road that runs along the creek up to the trailhead, as well as great fishing spots.

Big Snowbird trail was great. We took it from the trailhead headed west. The only issue we ran into was that these are not blazed trails, making some of the dozen or so stream crossings less intuitive than expected. A few spots had some ribbon markers that made things easier (thanks!). The crossings themselves weren’t too bad. I’m 5’3” and the deepest I had to wade in was just over my knees. I could tell they could be rough if the water was higher or after a heavy rainfall.

There are two alternate trails that branch north and south of the 64 to head to some waterfalls. We took the southern trail, 65, the sassafras falls trail to the waterfall. Beautiful cascades. From there, we hit the 65A, which was supposed to loop up a ridge and back down to meet back up with the 64.

64A is also called Burntrock Ridge Trail. I would not recommend this trail to anyone inexperienced in its current state. It’s listed as moderate and maybe it is in the fall or with better maintenance. We headed up at a 30% grade for about a quarter mile which was rough but at the top of the ridge, the trail is so overgrown we had to navigate it mostly by bushwhacking and with GPS. The plants are so thick we lost the trail a few times and had to rely on GPS and literally guessing until we spotted something that looks like the trail. I don’t think even with my experience that we could have stayed on the trail with just a map. The ridge is incredibly steep, making all the many large downed trees potential slides for you to fly off into the holler below if you’re not careful when climbing over. The ridge did not provide any views or anything else other than victory for climbing it. And it was a victory haha.

We made it down and camped down by Middle Falls. Definitely check them out. The pool below them is very nice.

Overall, highly recommend the main Big Snowbird Trail (64). Bring your trail sandals and enjoy getting wet, beautiful mushrooms and trees, and waterfalls. Anything deeper than that, I would download your offline maps and bring a machete.

I’m planning a labor day backpacking trip with some friends, current itinerary is to take the Colbert Ridge Trail up to Deep Gap and summit Mitchell, fill up water there, then head down Commissary Ridge to the Commissary Hill campsite, camp for the night, then head the rest of the way down the Mt Mitchell trail. We would leave a car at each trailhead. Is this reasonable for a generally fit group in their 20s with some backpacking experience?

Additionally, is it possible to just dispersed camp in the woods near either Colbert Ridge trailhead or Black Mountain Campground? I know the campground itself is closed, but we want to get started early.

https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/north-carolina/lick-mountain-via-uwharrie-and-dutchmans-creek-loop?p=-1&sh=0pzyzo&utm_medium=trail_share&utm_source=alltrails_virality

I am considering driving nc 105 this weekend in my fwd ram promaster high roof. I have read that it is sometimes passable in regular sedans. If that is the case I should be ok, but looking for opinions. I would be coming from the south. My biggest concern is probably the long wheel base.