I was determined to make this year the year I headed back to take care of some unfinished business on the PCT, so early July found me making my way to Chester, California where I had ended my 2022 hike. I had exited at Chester after walking through the newly opened Dixie Fire burn scar … Continue reading PCT: Chester to Seiad Valley
It has become an annual tradition to head out to the Great Smoky Mountains and Greenbriar Cove during peak wildflower season to explore the Porter's Creek Trail. Three of my hiking buddies and I recently hiked the trail to spend a wonderful evening camped at Backcountry Campsite #31 followed by a 13.5 mile hike on … Continue reading Exploring Wildflowers on Porter’s Creek Trail
Nine of us that often hike together in western North Carolina decided to venture further afield and planned a weeklong hiking adventure in the Gunnison/Crested Butte area of Colorado. I am so grateful to the friends that took on most of the planning, required reservations and also picked me up from my motel in Gunnison. … Continue reading Colorado: Hiking with Friends
Although my intention had been to return to the PCT to complete last year's hike on that trail, extraordinary California weather plus other hiking opportunities helped me decide to postpone my return for another year. I was invited to visit the Gunnison/Crested Butte area of Colorado for a day hiking trip with 8 of my … Continue reading Colorado Trail Part 4: Swimming Upstream and Eating Dessert First!
I was reminded of the existence of the Bartram Trail after hiking past the terminus at Cheoah Bald on the AT last fall. When my dear AT friend, Mudsmeller and I started to plan a spring hike, we took a closer look at the Bartram Trail and decided to give it a go. We were … Continue reading Botanizing on the Bartram Trail
....,sorry no children or pets for me at this stage in my life, but tell me I can adopt a trail and I'm all ears or should I say hiking boots. The Great Smoky Mountain National Park requested volunteers to adopt a trail and hike it 5 times over the year, reporting back on conditions … Continue reading I adopted…..