Warmer weather is finally here, and droves of hikers are hitting the trails in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. For some, that means a leisurely stroll along the level paths of the Davidson River in the Pisgah National Forest. For others, it means striving to climb the many steep ridges along the Blue Ridge Parkway. No matter which path you choose, the right foods and...
Learn MoreThe U.S. Forest Service announced the recent completion of work to repair the scenic Max Patch area of the Appalachian Ranger District, Pisgah National Forest. “Working with Forest Service personnel, dozens of volunteers donated close to 300 hours of service to help restore this popular site, and we’re grateful for their help,” said Acting District...
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When Blue Ridge Parkway Superintendent Phil Francis retired this year, he left after losing “25 percent of our staff in ten years” and sequestration chopping another 5 percent off his 2013 budget. Superintendent Francis said the National Park Service budget crisis would “require the federal government to rethink funding our parks—friends groups and foundations will need...
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Over the past few years, the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation’s Kids in Parks program has been installing a network of kid friendly hiking trails, called TRACK Trails, on and in communities along the Blue Ridge Parkway. To date, the program has installed more than 20 trails in the regions surrounding the Parkway; and in partnership with several land management agencies,...
Learn MoreThe Blue Ridge Parkway is a wildflower lover’s paradise, offering a huge variety of native species during spring, summer and fall. Depending on your elevation and north/south orientation, some species can be found blooming over a considerably long period of time. This list is a highlight of some of the most popular wildflowers, their usual months in bloom and...
Learn More“Old growth forests are charismatic. People love to see big trees.” Hidden among the expanse of forestland in Western North Carolina are little-known pockets of trees that are several centuries old. Either overlooked by loggers or too difficult to access, the old growth stands act as windows into the past and markers of Appalachian history. Since the end of the Civil War...
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After several years of planning and negotiating, Friends of the Mountains to Sea Trail in North Carolina are ready to start building new trail to connect the MST from Eno River State Park to Falls Lake. Once this approximately 3 mile stretch of trail is completed, the MST will be continuous from Pleasant Green Road in Orange County to Clayton except for one bridge at...
Learn MoreThe U.S. Forest Service reports that the Spence Ridge Trail Bridge in the Linville Gorge, NC is closed because of flood-related damage caused by this past weekend’s rains. Located in the north-central part of the gorge, the bridge connects Spence Ridge Trail (233) and Linville Gorge Trail (231). In general, the Forest Service encourages visitors to the Grandfather...
Learn MoreHickory Nut Gorge, North Carolina, probably best known for Chimney Rock, Lake Lure and the numerous dramatic views it offers, is becoming more accessible to public recreation. From the world-class climbing on the rock faces of Rumbling Bald to trails that link sections of the gorge, the area that includes Chimney Rock State Park is gaining expanded opportunities for...
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Great Smoky Mountains National Park is recruiting volunteers to help staff the visitor information center at Clingmans Dome through November 30. The visitor information center at Clingmans Dome sits at an elevation of 6,300 feet and is a point source of information for the national park and the high elevation spruce fir ecosystem, in particular. Volunteers are needed to...
Learn MoreEver wanted to participate in trail maintenance, but worried it might be too tough? How about learning the process of painting blazes to mark a trail? Members of the Nantahala Hiking Club trail maintenance crew have scheduled a hike for Monday, May 6th, 2013 to learn the process of blazing. Meet at the NHC Clubhouse, 173 Carl Slagle Road, Franklin, NC at 9:00 AM. Call...
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Hiking a state line offers interesting boundary markers and competing blaze markings. This hike on the Foothills Trail follows the boundary from the highest point in South Carolina — Sassafras Mountain — to a convenient end point at Gum Gap in North Carolina. Because of the length, for us this was a two vehicle hike, with one left at each end. Expect a roller...
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A day of hikes, lectures and cupcakes is planned to celebrate Great Smoky Mountains Association’s 60th anniversary on Saturday, June 22, at Oconaluftee Visitor Center near Cherokee, N.C. GSMA’s legacy of providing financial support to Great Smoky Mountains National Park began in 1953 with a slightly longer name (Great Smoky Mountains Natural History Association) and a...
Learn MoreJoin Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy (CMLC) on Saturday, May 11, 2013 for a guided hike through the scenic Johnson Branch conservation easement in Transylvania County. This hike is one of CMLC’s most popular hikes each year, featuring the picturesque property conserved by the Jones family through CMLC. Hikers will enjoy a moderate hike that includes a waterfall,...
Learn MoreThe Blue Ridge Parkway will open the section of the motor road at milepost 358 between Craggy Gardens and Mt. Mitchell State Park on May 4, 2013. The Blue Ridge Parkway road section was closed to allow for the implementation of critical slope stabilization and a road reconstruction project while ensuring public safety and to allow for the completion of the project in the...
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Back to Rough Butt Bald Overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway, and another visit to the Mountains to Sea Trail. The MtS follows, or remains close to the Parkway through much of Western North Carolina, so there are a number of easily accessible jumping off points that head into the backcountry. Middle Prong Wilderness was designated in 1984 and spans rugged high-elevation...
Learn MoreTwo popular trails in Great Smoky Mountains National Park are going to be closed for a while so crews can repair damage caused by flooding this winter. In North Carolina, crews will repair a slide area along Noland Creek Trail. To make the needed repairs, the trail will be closed to all hiker and horse use from April 22 – May 2 from the trailhead to Backcountry Campsite...
Learn MorePardee Hospital is hosting a community outdoor event for the 5th time, Hike to Health, on Saturday, April 20th, 2013 on Bearwallow Mountain. This is a special hike in partnership with Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy. Bearwallow Mountain Trail – Bearwallow Mountain, is located in Henderson County, NC. It towers above the Hickory Nut Gorge, Chimney Rock, and Lake Lure...
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Registration is now open for the 2013 Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) Biennial conference, scheduled for July 19-26, at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, North Carolina. The event is hosted by the five southern Appalachian Trail (A.T.) maintaining clubs and convenes Trail managers, hikers, and fans to celebrate and conserve the iconic National Scenic Trail....
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FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway (FRIENDS) has launched a two-year 25th anniversary celebration commemorating the volunteer-driven organization’s founding in North Carolina in 1988 and in Virginia the following year. “We believe the best way to celebrate a quarter century of service to the Blue Ridge Parkway is with a renewed commitment to America’s...
Learn MoreThe entire Newfound Gap Road across Great Smoky Mountains National Park reopened today between Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and Cherokee, North Carolina, a month ahead of schedule. The road, the only one that crosses the park, was severed by a landslide back on January 16. But at 10 a.m. EST today the entire route was officially reopened. Park Superintendent Dale Ditmanson,...
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Great Smoky Mountains National Park is recruiting volunteers to assist park visitors by roving the Oconaluftee River Trail, Mountain Farm Museum and fields along Highway 441 (Newfound Gap Road). The volunteer positions will be available from now through November 9, 2013. These volunteers will provide information regarding various park regulations including littering,...
Learn MoreRepairs to U.S. 441 are nearing completion. A football-field-sized portion of U.S. 441, which runs through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, was completely washed away in January after days of heavy rain resulted in a landslide. The missing chunk of roadway forced the National Park Service to close the road that serves as a main tourism artery to the Cherokee...
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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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