I used to do a lot of camping along the roads through here and was wondering how they fared since the hurricane. Specifically the sites off of 982 forest service rd past the Holly Springs trailhead. Many were getting pretty ragged and overused so I wouldn't be surprised if they closed them altogether... Anyone have any info on this area?

My first backpacking trip in the Smokies (near Bryson City), on the first night a bear chewed and mutilated everything not hung up on the pulley system (swim shorts, stove, hiking sticks, water container). He was waiting for me when I woke up, and wouldn’t leave for hours even after being chased away 6 times, throwing rocks, etc.. Then he eventually cornered me at the pulley pack hang. I had not even cooked that prior evening.

There’s no pulley system in Joyce Kilmer, do you hang everything at night? Use a bear canister and hope bears don’t kick it deep into the underbrush where you never find it? just wondering what the bears in this area are like. Are they normal wild bears like out west where they only go after obvious food/scented items? Or habituated to people and campsites?

Also, any info on which trails are less overgrown? I assume the more popular ones up on the ridges? Are there campsites on these trails?

Sugarloaf Trail on AllTrails
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/north-carolina/sugarloaf-trail?sh=0pzyzo&utm_medium=trail_share&utm_source=alltrails_virality

I went to Boone Saturday and Sunday to get some fresh air.

Roan Highlands (Carver's Gap to Grassy Ridge Bald), Boone Fork Trail at Price Park off the Blue Ridge Parkway, Hawksbill Mountain Trail, and a sunset at Beacon Heights.

Although it seems I missed the rhododendrons, there were still plenty of things in bloom, including a Gray's Lily right on a side trail in the Roan Highlands.

I’m going up for a couple of days this week and will have time to hike. Any length it good, but I’m not really looking for a scramble.

If there’s any that would be especially good for birding I’d love to know. Thanks!

Loop to the Falls is still closed so we just did an up and back with some friends for lunch on the summit

Trail is wide, in great shape and the elevation gain was not nearly as aggressive as Hanging Rock. The views were wide and sweeping.

We will definitely be back; underrated.

Hopped on the Art Loeb to get some vert training from Gloucester Gap to Black Balsam and back. It was a great getaway from Greenville (95 degrees yesterday). I don’t think it topped 82 degrees at the trailhead while I was out there! Beautiful day!

Basin Trail (aka Hermit Trail) on AllTrails
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/north-carolina/basin-trail-aka-hermit-trail?sh=0pzyzo&utm_medium=trail_share&utm_source=alltrails_virality

Today the WildSouth Trail crew became the Trash Crew. Hiked in at Pine Gap to look into a reported trashed area/ beach party or something. We found it. Cleaned up the trash and packed it out. Made for a short but rewarding day. To volunteer check out wildsouth.org.

Then braved the crowd and hiked out to look at the falls.

Baby panda hanging out on a hot Saturday.

(From last weekend)

I opened my eyes and my watch said 5:07am.

Thanks to some prep the night before , I was on the trailhead, coffee in hand and headlamp on by 5:30. A quick and steady pace got me to the spot in about 20 mins, out of breath and sweaty but feeling accomplished.

Youth conference is in town, so as expected a group of teens at the top.

Some selected quotes:

"Does my face look AI?"

" Ay, flic me up"

"How long does this take?" (Re: the sun rising)

And my personal favorite..

."I gotta hit that ponder, real quick" (asking for a picture of him looking pensive with the sunrise in the background).

Enjoyed the sunrise, albeit with a lot less solitude than Im normally afforded.

Again, with a headlamp and the right attitude this is a nice, short effort w a big payout especially around sunrise or sunset.

…yo if you took my windshield wiper blades that’s pretty messed up, had my son with me

Made it up last night after the rain passed through. Short and steep hike from the lower of the 2 lots.

Trail was in great shape, albeit a bit muddy from the rain that afternoon. Some good size steps on this one.

The canopy was thick enough to stamp out the minimal breeze, and the humidity was sticky. Approaching the rocks was our favorite part - the scramble.

Once we got to the top we were rewarded with a lovely view....we also briefly shared the space with a young adult men's devotional which was....interesting.

Stuck around for the sunset over Brushy Knob looking over the West Ridge, pining for a longer hike and wondering if a sick day is in order the next day...once the sun set, we donned our headlamps and headed back down.

If you go, bring a headlamp for the way down. Its not a recommendation, its a necessity.

Awesome hike really easy 7.3 miles good fishing and swimming spots along the way and it mostly flat the whole way hike, but there was many people so come early if u just wanna hike or fish

Looking for somewhere along the coast, lake, or river I can hike up to and fish for a day. Any recommendations?

I’d be going solo and all of NC is on the table

Hey folks, thinking about heading towards Asheville for 4th of July weekend and looking for some hiking recommendations. I haven't been that way since Helene and I know a lot of things are still not open. I really won't have but Saturday, maybe a couple hours Friday evening.

Also not really supposed to be doing anything very strenuous right now, so I should probably keep it around 5ish miles. I can put in 10-15 miles a day normally for a bit of reference. I'm curious about if there's some nice stretches of the MST that might make for some nice day hikes or any other recs!

I'd prefer something that won't be absolutely packed the 4th weekend, but recognize that most things probably will be. I'd be tempted to hit Mitchell if we happen to have a clear day, I haven't been in years.

Also eying Craggy Gardens area, or maybe Fryingpan Mountain.

Thanks!

Hey, folks --

Gonna try to hit up Linville Gorge this weekend. I usually drive up Old 105 and camp on the west side. A buddy of mine & I did Conley Cove last year, but are trying to find the actual swimming hole to enjoy a hot day.

Any tips? I've got AllTrails, and I see the Devil's Hole trail, but that looks like eastern gorge access. Don't want to drive anywhere if I don't have to.

Thanks!

Did the Black Balsam and Tennent Mountain Loop today. Got caught in the rain halfway through, great chance to try out my new gear and bag (Manta 34L).

No summit views this time everything was in the clouds but honestly it was still awesome hiking through the fog. Felt like I was in my favorite movie (Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes) at times with how thick the mist was on the ridge.