It’s only eight-tenths of a mile long – just a tiny stretch in a hike of nearly 1,000 miles. But conservationists and hiking enthusiasts are celebrating the newest link in the state’s Mountains-to-Sea Trail, which passes through 79 acres of Johnston County woods. The state Department of Transportation gave the tract to the all-volunteer Triangle...
Learn MoreNot rain, nor cold, nor wind, nor injuries will keep the Fortunate Sons from attaining their goal. A group of 18 Marines are three weeks into a 42-week hike that will take them from Clingman’s Dome in the Great Smoky Mountains to Jockey’s Ridge State Park in the Outer Banks along the Mountains to Sea Trail to benefit the Semper Fi Fund. These Marines are participating as...
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Perhaps the most popular hike in the Pisgah Ranger District of Pisgah National Forest, the Looking Glass Rock Trail is a good 3-mile leg stretcher to the top of the famous pluton. Probably not the most scenic hike is the area, but definitely popular because of ease of access, and a little less difficulty than some of the steeper monoliths. Looking Glass Rock is home to...
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Most of the attention in Linville Gorge is focused on the northern features. There are more trails, higher peaks, and family recreation areas. But the south gorge is every bit as compelling and beautiful, with spectacular panoramic views up the gorge and westward to Pisgah National Forest and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Shortoff Mountain is a thousand feet lower than its...
Learn MoreFri, Sep 23 10:00 AM Blue Ridge Parkway Milepost 363.4 – Greybeard Parking Overlook Do you need a break from the summer excitement? Are you looking for a spot to get away from the fall crowds? Join a ranger for a trek up to Lunch Rock, a little stone outcrop with a big view. This 1.5 mile section of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail is a moderate to strenuous one way...
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Kind of an unusual name for the mountain this trail is named after, but it is at 5200 feet, so the snow comes earlier in the season, and more frequently than in the valleys below. North of Asheville, NC on the Blue Ridge Parkway, this hike is in the Craggy Gardens area. There are splendid views of the Great Craggy Mountains and the Black Mountains from the three summits...
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Flat Laurel Creek is in the area just north of the Pisgah Ridge and in between the Shining Rock and Middle Prong Wildernesses. It drains from Sam Knob and Little Sam Knob and runs to the West Fork of the Pigeon River. The trail that bears its name starts at the headwater and travels 3.7 miles around the west side of Little Sam until it meets Hwy. 215 and joins the...
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Looking at a trail map or topographic map, the area of this hike within Shining Rock Wilderness can be somewhat confusing. There is the Greasy Cove Prong, a creek that runs off of the Grassy Cove Ridge. The trail is called Greasy Cove, but it starts/ends at Grassy Cove Top. I think the guys who named the area may have had a touch too much huckleberry wine. Regardless of...
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Linville Gorge runs north to south and has two entirely different rims. Trails on the west rim start on top and go down into the gorge to Linville River. Trails on the east rim go to a series of mountains that offer views into the full length of the gorge, and of the North Carolina Piedmont to the east and the Black Mountains to the west. There are a couple downward...
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John D. Rockefeller, Jr. donated the Linville Gorge Wilderness land in North Carolina to the National Park Service with the stipulation that the tract be protected in its natural state. Wonderful news for future generations, as this wilderness that covers more than 12,000 acres will remain in the same pristine condition for centuries to come. The area is filled with...
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The Middle Prong Wilderness is west of North Carolina Hwy. 215 and north of the Blue Ridge Parkway. It is named after the Middle Prong of the Little Pigeon River that runs through the heart of the wilderness. This is remote territory in the high country near 6000 feet. Prepare yourself for heavy breathing — from exertion, and from natural beauty. This hike occurred...
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I am Jeff Clark, founder of Internet Brothers, producer of this blog, and passionate about hiking. My regular hiking companions have designated me the lead hiker, so I suppose that makes me the slowest Meanderthal. I live in Western NC near the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains. Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests are just out my door, so the content will focus on these areas, but let me know what you would like to see on the site. 
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