I spent the day Friday hiking in one of the crown jewels of Southern Appalachian backcountry - North Carolina's Pisgah National Forest. Located just south of Asheville, it's a stunning place that contain some of the highest peaks in the Eastern United States. The terrain is unlike anywhere else I've been this year, with grassy, open balds that offer incredible views from all directions. I spent most of the day on the Art Loeb trail climbing to the summits of Sam Knob, Black Balsam Knob, Tennent Mountain and Grassy Cove Top and I rose early the next morning and hiked to the rocky summit of Devil's Courthouse. The next time you're in Asheville, plan a side trip to Pisgah - It's a place you won't soon forget.
pretty standard view on a clear day in Pisgah
Sam Knob summit view
late summer wildflowers in bloom. Sam Knob rises in the background.
Black Balsam Knob
Black Balsam Knob summit. At 6,214 feet, it's the 30th highest peak in the eastern United States.
The Art Loeb Trail winds between Black Balsam and Tennent Mountain
Wild Blueberries. And yes - they are delicious.
Tennent Mountain summit
Devils Courthouse summit just off the Blue Ridge Parkway. I hiked early Saturday morning in the dark so this was my only picture.
First off I'd like to thank everyone that has donated to this worthy cause. For the second time I've hit my fundraising goal for the year and will (gladly!) raise the amount again. Thanks so much and let's keep it going. There's plenty of mountains left to climb. Your generosity is an inspiration.
I spent the weekend with some friends in one of my favorite places on Earth - the Nantahala National Forest in western North Carolina. For an outdoorsman, this part of the country is simply paradise. Hiking, whitewater paddling, fishing, mountain biking - The Nantahala has it all. And to top it off the place is staggeringly beautiful. I spent some time hiking to the summits of Wesser and Wayah Bald on the Appalachian Trail along with paddling the chilly Nantahala River. Again, I'll let the pictures and video tell the story.
the AT just north of Tellico Gap near the summit of Wesser Bald
My wife and I spent this past weekend in the beautiful rural town of Floyd, Virginia. It's the kind of place that should probably be a well known Appalachian vacation destination by now, complete with miniature golf and go kart tracks. Thankfully, it is not. And that's just the way most of it's residents like it. Life moves at a slow, steady pace in this part of the world and it's just about the most relaxing place you could possibly imagine. Just off the famous Blue Ridge Parkway (which winds it's way a few miles from town) lies Buffalo Mountain, the highest peak in Floyd County. I managed to hike the mountain all three days I was in town and was shocked to have the entire mountain pretty much to myself. The rocky, exposed summit offers breathtaking 360 degree views of the surrounding farms and woods. It's a beautiful spot. Just don't tell anyone - It's our little secret.
Buffalo Mountain is named for it's Buffalo shaped "hump"
I returned to Blood Mountain yesterday (this time with a fully charged camera) with hopes of capturing some images of the stunning views from the craggy summit. The weather, however, had other ideas. A light drizzle fell as I climbed up the AT and a heavy fog shrouded any views from the summit. All was not lost, however, as the weather kept the crowds to a minimum and I had the peak all to myself. Plus there's a certain spooky quality that comes while hiking through the mist alone on one of Georgia's most famous mountains that you just have to experience for yourself. "No Quarter" by Led Zeppelin was the perfect soundtrack for the day.
BH Reece Trailhead.
Rhododendron and Mountain Laurel in full bloom along the AT
had to make an entry in the Blood Mountain shelter trail register
I thought I was in really good shape. After all, I've been hiking on a daily basis for months now. I've even taken to jogging some portions of Kennesaw Mountain here at home or carrying a backpack loaded with bricks (sorry for the humblebrag). I figured that I could cruise up just about any mountain I wanted. I was wrong. On Friday I hit the Rabun Bald Trail in the Northeast corner of the state and made the challenging 3 mile, 2200 foot climb up Georgia's second highest peak. The final mile or so of this hike is particularly difficult but the reward is well worth the effort - An old stone fire tower at the summit has been outfitted with a viewing platform with 360 degree views of the surrounding mountains. And the fact that the three miles back to the car is all downhill is pretty nice too. I shot some video with my new GoPro so here's a short clip at the summit. Now maybe its time to add another brick or two to that backpack....
Edit - Now with full video
trailhead off FS7. Thanks to whoever left the hiking stick - It came in handy on the way down.
I even managed to fool a few trout in the nearby Chattooga River later that day
