mikebellhelo

10/31/2023 – Mooney Gap to Big Laurel Falls Trailhead west of Otto, NC

Date: 10/31/2023 Name: Mooney Gap to Big Laurel Falls Trailhead west of Otto, NC Distance: 7.7 Difficulty: Moderate Total Climbing Elevation: 1,017 Type: One-Way Notes: It was a foggy and cool, but comfortable day for a hike. Too bad about the fog since we were hoping it would clear enough for some views of the […]

10/31/2023 – Mooney Gap to Big Laurel Falls Trailhead west of Otto, NC Read More »

10/24/2023 – Opossum Creek Waterfall Trail near Long Creek, SC

Date: 10/24/2023 Name: Opossum Creek Waterfall Trail near Long Creek, SC Distance: 5.3 Difficulty: Moderate Total Climbing Elevation: 876 Type: Out and Back Notes: What a beautiful day for a hike with sunny skies and cool, fall temperatures. The trail was in very good condition and we encountered no blowdowns. Despite the 800+ feet of

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10/17/2023 – Sam Knob and Black Balsam Knob Loop in the southern Shinning Rock Wilderness of Pisgah National Forest

Date: 10/17/2023 Name: Sam Knob and Black Balsam Knob Loop in the southern Shinning Rock Wilderness of Pisgah National Forest Distance: 6.8 Difficulty: Moderate Total Climbing Elevation: 1,499 Type: One-Way Notes: With heavy fog at the trailhead, we proceeded on to Sam Knob rather than have a foggy view on Devil's Courthouse. This was a

10/17/2023 – Sam Knob and Black Balsam Knob Loop in the southern Shinning Rock Wilderness of Pisgah National Forest Read More »

10/17/2023 – Devil’s Courthouse Trail in the southern Shinning Rock Wilderness of Pisgah National Forest

Date: 10/17/2023 Name: Devil's Courthouse Trail in the southern Shinning Rock Wilderness of Pisgah National Forest Distance: 1.0 Difficulty: Moderate Total Climbing Elevation: 279 Type: Out and Back Notes: Due to heavy fog earlier in the day, we completed this as a separate hike after the earlier, longer hike to Sam Knob and Black Balsam

10/17/2023 – Devil’s Courthouse Trail in the southern Shinning Rock Wilderness of Pisgah National Forest Read More »

10/10/2023 – AT to Cowrock, Wolf Laurel Top and Wildcat Mtn.

Date: 10/10/2023 Name: AT to Cowrock, Wolf Laurel Top and Wildcat Mtn. Distance: 5.2/7.3 Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult Total Climbing Elevation: 1,388/2,093 Type: Out and Back Notes: Another "great day for a hike" with cool, fall temperatures and mostly sunny skies. This section of the AT is well-maintained, but the first mile of the hike

10/10/2023 – AT to Cowrock, Wolf Laurel Top and Wildcat Mtn. Read More »

10/03/2023 – Jackrabbit Mtn Central, Highpoint and Burrell’s Cove Loops near Hiawassee, GA.

Date: 10/03/2023 Name: Jackrabbit Mtn Central, Highpoint and Burrell's Cove Loops near Hiawassee, GA. Distance: 6.6 Difficulty: Easy Total Climbing Elevation: 489 Type: Loop Notes: This was a very easy hike on a cool, sunny morning with a trail in very good condition even though well-used by bikers. There were just a few spots with

10/03/2023 – Jackrabbit Mtn Central, Highpoint and Burrell’s Cove Loops near Hiawassee, GA. Read More »

09/26/2023 – Willis Knob Horse Trail-Chattooga River Section

Date: 09/26/2023 Name: Willis Knob Horse Trail-Chattooga River Section Distance: 6.4 Difficulty: Easy Total Climbing Elevation: 761 Type: Out and Back Notes: This was an easy hike on a pleasant early fall day in Northeast Georgia. The trail was in fair condition, but did have a number or short sections of "trail gullies," loose medium-sized

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09/19/2023 – Deep Creek and Indian Creek Loop Trail in the Great Smokey National Park near Bryson City, NC

Date: 09/19/2023 Name: Deep Creek and Indian Creek Loop Trail in the Great Smokey National Park near Bryson City, NC Distance: 7.0 Difficulty: Moderate Total Climbing Elevation: 1,017 Type: Loop Notes: This hike was worth the longer than usual drive due to its well kept trails, nice views, and three falls along Deep and Indian

09/19/2023 – Deep Creek and Indian Creek Loop Trail in the Great Smokey National Park near Bryson City, NC Read More »