mikebellhelo

Date: 10/29/2024 Name: Standing Indian Mountain via Deep Gap Distance: 5.6 Difficulty: Moderate Total Climbing Elevation: 1,175 Type: Out & Back Notes: We were a bit late for much fall color, but it was still a good hike with ideal cool and clear weather. FS71 to Deep Gap was clear and in very good condition. […]

Date: 10/22/2024 Name: Coosa Bald & North Coosa Backcountry Loop Trail Distance: 8.5 Difficulty: Difficult Total Climbing Elevation: 1,867 Type: One-Way Notes: Today, we had continuing mild and sunny weather with early signs of fall. However, the extended dryness and near freezing weather in this area left quite a few leaves over a mostly unobstructed,

Date: 10/15/2024 Name: Panther Falls and Angel Falls Trail Distance: 2.5 Difficulty: Easy Total Climbing Elevation: 436 Type: Out & Back Notes: This was our second hike on a cool fall day. This hike is short, but moderately difficult from the fairly steep final climb to each fall. The trail is well used, but not

Date: 10/15/2024 Name: Hemlock Falls and Moccasin Creek Wildlife Trails Distance: 4.0 Difficulty: Easy Total Climbing Elevation: 358 Type: Loop with Out & Back Notes: What a wonderful day for a hike with the coolest start, 41°F, since spring. We began and later finished our hike with the Moccasin Creek Wildlife Trail, but no wildlife.

Date: 10/08/2024 Name: Springhouse & Tennessee Rock Trails Distance: 3.6 Difficulty: Easy to Moderate Total Climbing Elevation: 719 Type: Loop Notes: After Hurricane Helene passed nearby and we skipped a week to allow the trails to be checked out and cleared, it looks like many of us were anxious to get out on the trail.

Date: 09/24/2024 Name: Yonah Preserve (Section 200) Distance: 3.4 Difficulty: Easy Total Climbing Elevation: 282 Type: Loop Notes: The trails here are primarily for hikers and mountain bikers. There are lots of trail options in this beautiful woodland tract of 1,000 acres with a beautiful lake and excellent trails. The trails are well marked and

Date: 09/10/2024 Name: Appalachian Trail – Tellico Gap to Wesser Bald & Beyond Distance: 5.6 Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult Total Climbing Elevation: 1,319 Type: Out & Back Notes: Yes, it is a long drive, but there really are some beautiful 360-degree views of the surrounding mountains and valleys from the Wesser Bald Fire Tower. The

Date: 09/03/2024 Name: Lake Russell Loop Trail Distance: 6.0 Difficulty: Easy Total Climbing Elevation: 499 Type: Loop Notes: It seemed like fall with beginning cloudy skies, a light breeze and temperatures between 67F and 73F. The trail was in very good condition with no obstructions. At the beginning of the hike, Heather lead us on

Date: 08/27/2024 Name: Clifftop Vista & Ranger Falls Loop Trails Distance: 5.7 Difficulty: Easy to Moderate Total Climbing Elevation: 1,345 Type: Loops X 2 Notes: With continued cooler weather in the mountains with 63°F to 76°F temperatures, we enjoyed some new and old trails in the Cliffside Recreation area northwest of Highlands, NC. Parking on

Date: 08/20/2024 Name: Jack's Knob Trail from Jack's Gap to Chattahoochee Headwaters Distance: 4.9 Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult Total Climbing Elevation: 1,453 Type: Out & BAck Notes: Another "great day for a hike" with mild, 64°F to 72°F temperatures. This was a moderate to strenuous difficult hike from the several short, but steep climbs on