Hiking Friends

We've been off the radar for awhile, but are still getting out on the trails. Please feel free to post pictures and/or comments about your hiking experiences during Covid, both positive and negative. This can be an opportunity to help educate newbie hikers. I'll start: dog p**p should be removed from the trail (use a stick to fling the p**p off the trail), but should NOT be put in a dog p**p bag and left there to not decompose. Dog p**p will be gone in several days if it is left to the weather, not encased in plastic. Leave no trace! 🤢💩🤢 Okay, my soapbox is put away! For now.😆

Well, these times are certainly a challenge for those of us who like to get out on the trails. We hike for peace, downtime, exercise, camaraderie, solitude, quietude, exploration, nature. And, while we're happy that many others are enjoying the outdoors that don't usually find the time or opportunity, I'd like to add some cautions. Crowded trailheads and overused trails will increase the risk of community transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, increase trailside trash, switchback-cutting erosion, and trampling of fragile understory. So, be circumspect when thinking about enjoying your local trails. Do a little research and find lesser-traveled trails, go early in the morning or late in the afternoon, observe and educate others (from a safe 6' distance) about the Leave No Trace ethics https://lnt.org/ . And I wish you health and happiness on the trail. We'll get through this together (from a safe distance, of course!)

For all you out there who want to walk the walk.

We've got exciting projects in the works for 2018! There are 3 new citizen science projects in the works to help protect Rusty Patched Bumble Bees, Spruce-Fir Forests, and Cliffside Ecosystems and WE NEED YOU!

Citizen science relies on the public to contribute to scientific research. By volunteering with Wild South as a citizen scientist you would be an active part of conservation in the Southern Appalachian Mountains and really making a difference. Our projects this year will take you in search of the rarist of Bumble Bees that rely on all manner of flowers from the Springtime ephemerals to the Summertime meadows. You could also have a chance to bushwhack your way onto the highest peaks to collect data in Spruce-Fir forests or find yourself climbing cliffs and boulders in the name of science! Contact [email protected] for more information if you're interested!

Winter is a wonderful time to hike our beautiful WNC mountains. A few of us hiked from Holloway Mtn. Rd. to Rough Ridge yesterday on the Tanawha Trail. A few icy spots, but mostly dry trail conditions. A beautiful day and exhilarating hike!

Flora and fauna on the Elk K**b Trail, 6/29/17

Hello, all. Haven't posted a hike in a while, but plan to hike to Elk K**b tomorrow, June 29. Meet at Cashpoint ATM at New Market Center at 9 a.m. to carpool, or at the trailhead at Elk K**b State Park at 9:30 a.m. Water, good hiking shoes recommended. Trekking poles optional. The flame azaleas and Gray's lilies were blooming there last week, probably still blooming. Reply here if you want to go and where you'll meet us. Hope to see you!

Okay, fellow WNC hikers: who's in? Would love to go west into TN to do one of these!

The 10 Best Weekend Backpacking Trips in Tennessee Surrounded by no fewer than three national forests to the south and east (plus the Great Smoky Mountains) Tennessee is a backpacker’s paradise, with a backcountry trip to suit every experience level.

Tomorrow looks to be the last moderately warm day for a while (maybe months!), and it hasn't rained lately, so tomorrow looks to be an ideal day to hike the Boone Fork Trail, while it's relatively dry. Plan to start at the Price Park Picnic area at 10a.m. or ride together from Boone around 9:40. If anyone is interested, please post here tonight or by 8 in the morning and we'll coordinate. Hope you can come!

I am looking for somebody to do an overnighter with me Sunday night into Monday, October 2-3. I haven't decided on a route yet; that will depend on if anyone can go with me or not. Last year I walked on the Tanawha Trail from Rough Ridge on the BRP to Price Park and camped there, then walked on the Old John's River Road on the MST to Shull's Mill and back on the Rich Mtn. trail to Yonahlossee, back to my house. We could get a ride to the trailhead, courtesy of my husband Bill, and leave a drop car wherever we decide to finish up. The weather promises to be a nice, crisp autumn day with temps into the mid-40's at night. And, if we end up camping at Price Park, we could have our friends meet us at Price Park and cook for us! If anyone is free Sunday and Monday and is up for it, please let me know ASAP and we can decide on a route (Roan Mtn, TN, or Tanawha Trail, or other suggestions welcome). Post a reply here if you are interestsed.

I'd like to do the Tanawha Trail tomorrow from Rough Ridge parking area on the BRP to Holloway Mountain. The hike is about 7.5 miles, easy to moderate, and requires a drop car. If anyone else is free tomorrow and interested, we can meet at Holloway Mountain Tanawha Trail parking area at 8:30a.m., leave a car and drive on to the Parkway. If I hear from a few people and they'd just as soon meet us at the Rough Ridge parking area, we can meet there at 8:45 or so. The weather looks good, so all you should need is water and maybe a snack. If I don't hear from anyone, obviously I won't go. Hope to hear from you! Please post a reply here before 9pm tonight, September 14, 2016, if you plan to go.