Very cool landscape Mike & Mighty! I am taking my first backpacking trip in the Southwest in a week (Arizona's Superstition Mountains) and am really looking forward to exploring a desert/canyon area.
Layne
- Joined Jan 4, 2021
Sharing the natural beauty of the great outdoors one mile at a time!
Based in North Carolina.
Video Adventures: https://www.youtube.com/laynecomfort
Congratulations on the honeymoon Mike & Mighty!
How fortuitous that you were in position to jump on the cancellation. This looks like an awesome way to experience a bunch of different Hawaiian environments in one go. HI has always been on my list of want-to-visits.
Congrats on the recent growth Mike! If there is one thing that all of us adventure seekers can agree on it is that hard work pays off. Looking forward to seeing the continued development.
Sounds like a great adventure Mike & Mighty! Kayak camping is always nice because you don't have to carry the gear on your backs. ALthough battling the wind is never fun.
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MikeJones I would advise checking in advance of a trip as the regulations and methods to obtain a permit are subject to change.
As of March 2020 the current rules are that a permit is required for overnight camping on weekends (Friday and Saturday nights) and holidays from May 1 through October 31.Overview: Is That All Ya Got Backpacking Loop - Linville Gorge
This 20+ mile backpacking route in North Carolina's Linville Gorge Wilderness tests the adventurer at every turn. Strenuous climbs, rocky descents, unofficial trails, treacherous river crossings and more await. Is That All Ya Got?
Map: Spence Ridge Trail, Linville Gorge Trail, Leadmine Trail, Mountains-to-Sea Trail : Pisgah National Forest
Linville Gorge detailed trail map available here.
Caltopo map available here.
Trail Guide: Is That All Ya Got Loop - Spence Ridge Trailhead - Pisgah National Forest
The ITAYG Loop can be started from any access point along its length but it is typically advisable to tackle the Spence Ridge river crossing before the MST crossing. That is to prevent getting stuck on the opposite side of the river as your vehicle. We started this 3-day trip at the Spence Ridge Trailhead.
The hike begins gently along the Spence Ridge Trail before descending sharply to the bottom of the Linville Gorge. The roar of the Linville River is heard long before reaching its rocky banks. The remains of a bridge that was washed away in 2013 can be seen at the crossing area. Scout around for an ideal spot to ford, it is generally considered safe at a Linville River cfs of 150 - conditions can vary and you'll have to make your own decision on what feels safe at the crossing. After crossing there are a plethora of beautiful campsites along the Linville Gorge Trail.
Day 2 continues along the Linville Gorge Trail following the Linville River until it connects with the Leadmine Trail. At the time of this trip Leadmine was an unofficial trail but will be officially maintained by the Forest Service starting in 2021. Leadmine cuts steeply away from the river and dives up and down several ridges before ending at the Mountains-to-Sea Trail. Following along the MST brings the second crossing of the Linville River. Shallower but wider than the crossing at Spence Ridge, the MST crossing is generally considered safe at a Linville River cfs of 200. The trail then shoots away from the river as it climbs Shortoff Mountain towards some of the best views of the trip. There are plentiful campsites along the Shortoff Ridge to pick from.
The Chimneys and Table Rock are highlights to look forward to on the final day. No adventure in the Gorge is complete without a bit of scrambling and there are areas along the Chimneys that add a dash of mild adventure. Table Rock is one of the most breathtaking views in the Southeast, with the rugged chasm of the Linville Gorge spread out in a feast for the eyes. The Table Rock Gap Trail finishes off the ITAYG Loop back to the Spence Ridge Trailhead.
Nice video, waiting for the day we get a trip report from Mighty's perspective!
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Overview: Great Smoky Mountains National Park Backpacking: Mt Sterling - Big Creek - Mt Cammerer Loop
This 3-4 day backpacking route in the Northeast Corner of the National Park captures the true multi-faceted essence of the Smokies in one trip. Breathtaking views, lush ecosystems, waterways of all shapes and sizes, historical sites and, of course, the steep ups and downs of this land.
Map: Mt Sterling, Walnut Bottom, Mt Cammerer
Caltopo map available here.
Trail Guide: Sterling - Big Creek - Cammerer Loop
Covering 26-30 miles, this loop starts at the Chestnut Branch Trailhead. The hike begins with a short gravel road walk that leads to the Big Creek / Baxter Creek Trailheads. Here is where the real fun begins with a ~ 4000', ~ 6-mile trek up the Baxter Creek Trail to the top of Mt Sterling. Baxter Creek is widely regarded as one of the most challenging trails on the East Coast. The view (pictured above) from the Fire Tower near Campsite 37 is totally worth it!
Day 2 is a mixed bag of elevation gain, the first half downhill and the latter half climbing back up. The Swallow Fork Trail leads down from Mt Sterling Ridge to the Walnut Bottom area of Big Creek. Campsites abound in Walnut Bottom and it also makes for a perfect spot to grab lunch. After that is the day's climb to link up with the Appalachian Trail on the way to Cosby Knob shelter for Night 2.
Mt Cammerer awaits a couple of miles down the AT on Day 3. There is a lookout tower on top which makes for another prime lunch spot. Those aiming to do a 4-day trip can continue along the AT to Davenport Gap shelter for the night before returning to Chestnut Branch. Those aiming to do a 3-day trip will follow the AT for a bit more before descending down Chestnut Branch Trail to the Chestnut Branch Trailhead.
Looks like a beautiful hike Mike & Mighty. I've not been to SoCal yet but when I visited the northern part of the state I was struck by how y'all get the mountains and the ocean right beside each other. Makes for incredible scenery.
Mike, I agree 100% with your perspective here. The simple truth is that more people are interested in the outdoors than ever before. Information will be shared and places will become more popular.
It is up to those of us with a platform, however small, to show the right way to do things and be an example of how to enjoy responsibly. That is the best way we can contribute to protecting our natural wonders - not by sticking our heads in the sand and pretending people aren't going to come - but by sharing the love and respect that we have for these areas to impart that on others.- Edited
Overview: Yellowstone National Park Pebble Creek to Slough Creek
Yellowstone's Northern Range is the hub of the entire Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem! There is no better way to explore the varied environments located throughout the magical Northern Range than backpacking from Pebble Creek up and over Bliss Pass to Slough Creek.
Map: Pebble Creek, Bliss Pass, Slough Creek
Caltopo map available here.
Trail Guide: Pebble Creek to Slough Creek
This 3-day, ~ 24-mile backpacking adventure starts at the Pebble Creek Trailhead (3K2). The hike begins with a ford of Pebble Creek before mildly climbing through a lush pine forest. ~ 1.5 miles later and the day's climb is over, with views of the Northern Range serving as a treat.
~ 2 more miles of mostly flat intermittent forest and meadow hiking brings one to Camp 1 at Lower Pebble Creek (3P1). 3P1 is an idyllic top-tier campsite located along the banks of Pebble Creek.
The Northern Range is home to the most diverse and numerous collection of fauna in the park. We had the incredible good fortune of being visited in camp by a young male elk as day faded into night.
On Day 2 the hard work begins in earnest. The first ~ 3 miles start off flat, affording a chance to get the legs warmed up for what is to come. 3 crossings of Pebble Creek later and it is time to climb. Getting to the top of Bliss Pass takes ~ 1.5 miles and ~ 2000 vertical feet. We found the following ~ 5-mile ~ 3000 feet drop down from Bliss Pass to Slough Creek to be the most tiring part of the trek. Totally worth every step!
The final ~ mile of the day is an easy walk along the gravel road that makes up the Slough Creek Trail, also serving as the only access to the famed Silvertip Ranch right outside the Park boundary. Camp 2 at Elk Tongue (2S4) is another top-tier campsite with great views of the surrounding area.
Once again we were visited by the Northern Ranges's cornucopia of wildlife spotting a Bald Eagle, mouse, rabbit, otter, deer and porcupine from our site overlooking the creek.
Day 3 of this backpacking route is an easy, yet exceedingly beautiful, trek along Slough Creek. ~ 7 miles and (if lucky) a bunch of bison later the adventure finishes at Slough Creek Trailhead (2K5). This section is popular amongst both day hikers and anglers.
Good report Mike! Looks like a beautiful area to explore.