WNC Hikes Archives - Nancy East

MST to Waterrock Knob (100 Favorite Trails Hike #38)

Mon, 08 Aug 2022 18:30:33 +0000

Some routes I hike once. Others play on repeat, especially if they’re close to my home in Waynesville, North Carolina and provide a good workout with outstanding scenery. The 5.1 mile stretch of the Mountains to Sea Trail from Woodfin Cascades to Waterrock Knob is one of my “regulars,” and I’ve yet to grow tired...

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Glen Falls (100 Favorite Trails Hike #10)

Sat, 23 Jul 2022 15:42:48 +0000

Glen Falls is a lovely, short 2ish-mile waterfall hike, just outside of Highlands, NC. Depending on your energy level, it’s even short enough to combine with other hikes in the area. I hiked the Whiteside Mountain loop (2 miles) and Yellow Mountain Trail (12.5 miles) prior to hiking this route. All three hikes are part...

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Yellow Mountain (100 Favorite Trails Hike #9)

Tue, 19 Jul 2022 20:21:34 +0000

Just before hiking this route, I hiked the short 2-mile Whiteside Mountain Trail loop nearby and I wasn’t about to head home afterward. The day was still young and I had been granted a hall pass for its entirety. So I jumped in my car and headed toward Cole Gap and Yellow Mountain Trail. This...

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Whiteside Mountain (100 Favorite Trails Hike #10)

Sun, 03 Jul 2022 18:51:29 +0000

Whiteside Mountain is part of the 100 Favorite Trails of the Smokies and Carolina Blue Ridge Map. It's a beautiful 2-mile loop near Highlands, North Carolina.

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Roan Highlands SB6K Hike

Thu, 07 Nov 2019 21:16:58 +0000

After finishing my map of the Smokies and the Tour de LeConte hike, I needed a new itch to scratch. Checking off the remaining 6000 foot summits in the South Beyond 6000 Challenge (SB6K) that the Carolina Mountain Club hosts felt like a logical plan. The following is a trail journal of a 25-mile day...

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Snake Den – A.T.- Camel Gap – Balsam Mtn.- Gunter Fork (with 8 Smokies SB6K Peaks)

Fri, 21 Jun 2019 17:15:49 +0000

My Hike The following is a trail report for a 40-mile, 3-day backpacking trip which combined the following trails: Snake Den Ridge, Appalachian Trail, Camel Gap, Gunter Fork, and Balsam Mountain Trails. Along the route, I was able to summit the following peaks which are all part of the South Beyond 6000 Challenge (SB6K), sponsored by...

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Hiking the A.T. – Dry Sluice – Cabin Flats – Bradley Fork – Hughes Ridge Trails

Tue, 21 May 2019 01:51:52 +0000

My Hike The following is a trail report for a 27-mile “lollipop” loop hike which combined the Appalachian Trail, Dry Sluice, Cabin Flats, Bradley Fork and Hughes Ridge Trails in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This hike took place in early May and I completed it as a solo day hike. Trail Journal My husband...

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Thomas Divide Trail to Sunkota Ridge: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Wed, 08 Aug 2018 18:27:14 +0000

I’ve passed the trailhead for the Thomas Divide Trail on Newfound Gap Road in Great Smoky Mountains National Park more times than I can count. It’s an unassuming pull out–room for just a few cars, an obligatory trailhead sign at the edge of thick woods at the crest of a small hill. Something about this...

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Palmer Creek-Pretty Hollow Gap-Mt. Sterling Ridge-Balsam Mtn. Trails Loop

Sat, 14 Jul 2018 19:45:35 +0000

I took a fabulous day hike in Great Smoky Mountains National Park last week that combined the Palmer Creek, Pretty Hollow Gap, Mount Sterling Ridge and Balsam Mountain trails to make a 16-mile loop. Inspired by a few hiking vloggers I love to watch, I decided to do something a little different with this trail...

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Hiking Camel Gap Loop in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Tue, 24 Apr 2018 16:06:38 +0000

Having returned a week before from a family adventure in southern Utah, my to-do list is as long as the waterpocket fold in Capitol Reef National Park, but I can’t face it. That’s what happens when you go out adventuring–it makes you long for more and think of nothing else. Plus it’s Earth Day, which...

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