Brett (aka Therm Rider) and I start the hike at the Byron Herbert Reece Trailhead which gives us a bonus 1.7 mile hike this afternoon. We reach the Appalachian Trail after a gradual climb of 0.7 miles. After a mile descent, we meet up with Ken (aka Beer Run) at Neel's Gap. He's been watching our packs and the 20 bikers that rolled in to the parking area this afternoon. Bears are active and aggressive in this area. Parts of the Blood Mountain Wilderness have mandatory bear canister rules in … [Read more...]
Protected: Cocktail Hour At Wolf Top Laurel
June 3, 2013 By Leave a Comment
This content is password-protected. To view it, please enter the password below. Password: … [Read more...]
Rattlesnakes In Them Thar Hills
June 3, 2013 By Leave a Comment
We were hiking the Appalachian Trail just north of Neels Gap and ran in to this Timber Rattlesnake crossing the path during a hike to Wolf Laurel Top. Fortunately, Ken was leading us because both Brett and I were listening to our iPods to motivate us up an 800' incline. Let that be a lesson ... if you plan to rock out during your hike, then take position in the back of the pack! Follow this link for a photo of the rattlesnake! … [Read more...]
The Frank Costanza Effect
June 3, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Brett show's off his Frank Costanza look while Boone Dawg chomps at gnats. Yeah ... it's sunset on Wolf Laurel Top and time to relax after a six mile hike. … [Read more...]
Coosa Bald – You Call This A Bald?
April 23, 2013 By 1 Comment
Coosa Bald (4,271 feet) is one of the ten highest peaks in Georgia and it is accessible via the Duncan Ridge Trail which starts near Vogel State Park. The summit hardly qualifies as a bald these days and Mother Nature has mostly taken back this once open area. So if you want some views - go before the leaves bud on the trees, but you'll likely have the place to yourself. Bonus: Here we are at the summit enjoying the views to the South and the sunset to the West. … [Read more...]
A Spring Hike To Coosa Bald (Via The Duncan Ridge Trail)
April 22, 2013 By Leave a Comment
Sixteen years ago, The Ox and I did a winter ascent of Coosa Bald (4,271 feet) via a spur off the Coosa Backcountry Trail. I remembered a few campsites scattered near the summit and decided to return via a much shorter route this time. Coosa Bald is located near (and approachable from) Vogel State Park, and we stopped at Neel's Gap a few miles South of the park. The store was busy on this cool and clear weekend, and The Weasel snapped this photo of hiking boots hanging in the trees … [Read more...]
THE KLONDIKE 2013 (AKA THE SEARCH FOR LONG BRANCH SHELTER)
February 9, 2013 By Leave a Comment
This is a video slide show of our hike to Long Branch Shelter from Standing Indian Campground. It was sunny when we left Atlanta and the forecast was for temperatures in the 50's in nearby Franklin, N.C. Yet as we drive the 2 1/2 hours north to the Appalachian Trail, there is a line of clouds and a cold front moving in from the Northwest. Mobile checks at the Weather Channel has the forecast in constant flux -- and deteriorating quickly. By morning, there would be 8 1/2 inches of snow … [Read more...]
