Travel back in time on more than thirty thoughtfully curated hiking routes in the Blue Ridge Mountains, chosen for their rich natural and human history as well as their beauty. Ascend to the state’s highest point, surrounded by ancient forests and historical controversies. Explore the ruins of homesteads and isolated cemeteries of former settlers in Great Smoky Mountains National Park and honor the legacy of the Cherokee and their connection to the land. Encounter sweeping vistas at one of the four routes that lead to lookout towers and marvel at thundering waterfalls featured in major films such as Last of the Mohicans and The Hunger Games. Local author and experienced hiker Nancy East includes helpful maps and comprehensive information about each route, ensuring adventures that are safe, enjoyable, and educational.
About the Author
Nancy East, an avid hiker and backpacker, is a firm believer that you’re never too old to be what you might have been. After a 23-year career as a small animal veterinarian, she retired to pursue her passion as a writer, hiking guide, and speaker. She is a member of Haywood County’s Search and Rescue Team, a founding board member of the WNC Wilderness Safety Fund, a Gossamer Gear Ambassador, and a Southern Appalachian Naturalist. Nothing brings her more joy professionally than educating her fellow hikers about how to stay “safe and found.”
In 2019, she and her good friend, Chris Ford, set the fastest known time (FKT) for a mixed-gender team on the Tour de LeConte Challenge. In 2020, they set the overall FKT for the Smokies 900 Challenge. Nancy has hiked all the trails in Great Smoky Mountains National Park four times, and she continues going back for more. Her first book, Chasing the Smokies Moon: An audacious 948-mile, fueled by love, loss, laughter and lunacy was inspired by her record-setting hike.
When she’s not on the trail, Nancy is a mother to three children and a wife to her high school sweetheart. They live with their beloved dog in the mountains of Western North Carolina.
The ebook version of Historic Hikes in Western North Carolina can be found at Amazon.
Signed copies of my first book, Chasing the Smokies Moon: An audacious 948-mile, fueled by love, loss, laughter and lunacy, are also available.
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