MOVIES

This is a collection of photo slideshows that I’ve created over the years that document multi-day adventures on the trail. They vary in length and occasionally exceed 20 minutes, but generally run between 3-8 minutes. To see live video clips from these hikes, click the video tab on the secondary menu at the top of the page.

Ranger Field – April 13, 2024 (password required)

During the spring in North Georgia, the Appalachian Trail is overflowing with activity as thru-hikers begin their 2200 mile journey northbound. Yet the nearby Benton MacKaye Trail is only lightly traveled. So once again we set out for a trip to one of our favorite spots on the BMT and had perfect weather for it. Here’s a video recap.

100 Mile Wilderness, Maine – September 24, 2022

In September 2022, we did a backpacking trip to Maine to celebrate Beer Run’s 50th birthday. Spent a couple nights in the legendary 100 Mile Wilderness and had a chance to visit Casco Bay and Portland’s Fort Williams on the way back to Boston.  Awesome trip, driving the logging roads in the wilderness was an experience in itself.

Jefferson National Forest, Virginia – August 21, 2021

This area is likely my most favorite in the Southeast, and we did it this year with the Camel who was celebrating a milestone birthday!  On our trip we had head butting ponies, distant lightening, a mad ghost cow, a full moon, and we ended the weekend with an incredible feast in Hays, NC – courtesy of the Camel’s neighbors.  Oh … and did I mention that we did a late night podcast about it?  This was possibly the most perfect backpacking weekend ever.  Photo journal here.  Podcast here.  Movie from the weekend here.

Colorado Trail, Segment 9, Colorado – September 12, 2020 

We hiked Segment 9 off the Colorado Trail in September 2020 during the pandemic this year. The Continental Divide Trail shares this section of the Colorado Trail and both footpaths traverse the scenic Holycross Wilderness with elevation above 11,500 feet. There are two cabins available for rent just off the Trail and close to Tennessee Pass at the end of this section.  At the end of the section we stayed at the Continental Divide Cabin which is part of the 10th Mountain Division hut system.

Appalachian Trail, Klondike 2020, North Carolina – February 22, 2020 (password required)

In January 1997, Steve “The Ox” Snyder and I went backpacking in Western North Carolina in what became the first of a 20+ year run of winter adventures in the wilderness.  Over time, these trips were officially dubbed the “Klondike Hikes” and this is our latest venture in to the woods. On this occasion, we climbed to a firetower on the Appalachain Trail in a light dusting of snow. The sunset was spectacular from the tower which has views in all directions of the Western North Carolina Mountains.

New Years Hikes, North Georgia & Western North Carolina 2004-2020 (password required)

In 2004, we began a long standing tradition of heading for the mountains, renting a cabin, and hiking on New Years Eve and/or New Years Day.  Most of these trips were spent with Roger (aka The Camel) and The Brady’s – with a number of other friends mixed in to the group.  In 2012, The Brady’s bought a cabin near Ellijay, GA and thus began Holiday celebrations that lasted until 2020 at their place.  

Appalachian Trail, New England – September 26, 2019

A few backpacking friends and I hit the trail in the fall of 2019 to retrace some steps I took on the the Appalachian Trail 25 years earlier – and to the day.  This is one of my favorite sections in Maine, and there’s some great shots from Mount Washington and other areas in New England to boot.

Trail Days (25th Anniversary) – May 18, 2019

Trail Days was first held in the late 80’s to celebrate the hiker culture and the 50th anniversary of the Appalachian Trail’s completion.  The event has grown exponentially since then and now serves as a homecoming for thru-hikers and for those that are passionate about the A.T.  This year I celebrated the 25th anniversary of my 1994 thru-hike with some backpackers that I met on the A.T. and some friends that I hike with frequently in Georgia and North Carolina.  This is a montage of the photos and video from that weekend – leading off with the annual parade through downtown Damascus, Virginia. 

Rocky Mountain,  North Georgia – December 22, 2018

This is a video of a December backpacking trip to Rocky Mountain in North Georgia. We hiked with our kids in a few inches of snow that came down the prior day, but most of it melted as the temps climbed to the low 40’s during our hike. Yonah Mountain can be seen at sunset in the distance. My 13 year old son gets photo credit for many of the pics.

The Black Hills, South Dakota – June 11, 2017

As part of 50 x 50 x 50 (50 hikes in 50 States before 50 years), we headed for the Black Hills of South Dakota in the summer of 2017.  During the trip we hiked both the Flume and Centennial Trails and camped near the dam at Sheridan Lake.  We also had a chance to make a run through Sturgis (home of the annual biker rally) and stay in Deadwood (an 1800’s era gold town that has gambling to this day).

The Badlands, North & South Dakota – June 8, 2017

As part of 50 x 50 x 50 (50 hikes in 50 States before 50 years), we visited the Badlands of both North & South Dakota – the two States that remained in my quest to hike in all 50 States.  During the trip we stayed in the backcountry of Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota and visited the front country of Badlands National Park in South Dakota.  Both had unique terrain and abundant wildlife including many buffalo and prairie dogs.  

White River National Forest – Aspen, Colorado – June 23, 2016

In the summer of 2016, we stayed in an AirB2B house in Aspen, CO and used it as a base camp to explore a number of high alpine lakes in the nearby White River National Forest over a five day period.  The scenery was spectacular and I wish we had our backpacks and spent the night in the wilderness on this trip.  The whitewater rafting was also a blast.  Kudos to “Drone Boy” for shooting the aerial footage and for putting this video together.

Appalachian Trail, North Georgia – May 2, 2015 (Non-Dream Version)

This is a video recap of a spring hike that I took on the Appalachian Trail with my son and dog near Neel’s Gap in North Georgia. We had perfect spring weather and a simultaneous sunset and moonrise. What a major contrast from the biker rally at the trailhead when we arrived!

Edisto River, Treehouse #3, South Carolina – April 12, 2015

This is a recap of our 23 mile float down the Edisto River April 11-13th, 2015. Day 1, we camped at Colleton State Park (near St. George, SC) and home to one of the friendliest park rangers I’ve met in some time. Then on Day 2, we caught a ride with Carolina Heritage Outfitters to the put-in at Highway 21 and paddled for 13 miles to Treehouse #3 – with no running water or electric but plenty of tiki torches and propane stoves. On Day 3, we finished the float at the Outfitters after a 10 mile paddle. It’s a great trip if you ever get the chance.

Benton MacKaye Trail – North Georgia – March 8, 2015

We had nearly perfect Spring weather for this hike last weekend in North Georgia. My dog slept for most of the next 24 hours after our 9.7 mile loop hike on and around the Benton MacKaye Trail in the Cohutta Wilderness. Spring has finally sprung!

Amicalola Falls State Park, Len Foote Hike Inn – North Georgia – February 15, 2015

This is a winter hike to the Len Foote Hike Inn in the Chattahoochee National Forest that we did with a group of dads and sons from St. Jude Catholic Church.  Kudos to the staff at the Inn – who provided outstanding customer service during our visit.  What a great place….

Chattahoochee National Forest, Bly Gap – North Carolina – January 31, 2015

This is a video of a January 31, 2015 backpacking trip to Bly Gap, North Carolina which is located just past the Georgia-North Carolina State line on the Appalachian Trail.  It was the first time I’d been here in 20 years and it was great to be back.  Northbound thru-hikers love this place because it marks the completion of the first of fourteen States on the A.T.  And it was good to be back ….

Cub Scout Pack 623 – Atlanta, Georgia – August 2013 through June 2014 (password required)

This is a recap of our year with Cub Scout Pack 623 in Atlanta, GA which includes multiple hikes on the Appalachian Trail, a Bert Adams campout, the Pinewood Derby, and a spring overnight trip to the Georgia aquarium, SOAR model rockets, the Blue and Gold Banquet, and Cub Scout summer camp near Alpharetta.

Georgia to Maine Road Trip – 16 States, 2 Countries, 14 Days, ~3517 Miles – June 29, 2013 (password required)

On June 29, 2013, I set out on a ~3517 mile road trip up the east coast with the family.  In 14 days, we visited 2 Countries, 16 States, and spent a fair amount of time hiking on or near the Appalachian Trail.  Major stops on the journey include Huntersville-Wake Forest, NC, Richmond, VA, HoHoKus, NJ, NYC, Augusta-Monson-Stratton, ME, Barton, VT, and DC.  Accidental stops on the trip include Quebec which I accidentally drove in to without passports!

Appalachian Trail, Long Branch Shelter – Western North Carolina – February 2, 2013

This hike starts just past Standing Indian Campground and follows the Long Branch Trail 2.0 miles and 800 feet up to the Appalachian Trail at Glassmine Gap. From here, the route turns to the right and climbs another 250 feet to the headwaters of Long Branch Creek where a shelter built in 2012 resides only a few tenths of a mile off the trail. The structure is two-story and has a picnic table, fire ring, and roomy privy situated in the back.  We got hit with a surprise snowstorm on this trip and had 8 1/2 inches of snow by morning.  So this trip has been code named “The Klondike”.  Runtime is 5 minutes, 26 seconds.

Appalachian Trail, North & South Crocker Mountain – Northern Maine – September 30, 2012

This hike over the Crocker Mountains follows the Appalachian Trail for 8.1 miles near Stratton, Maine. It can be done from either the ME 27 or Caribou Valley Road trailheads but plenty of effort is required to summit regardless of the direction. The Crocker Cirque Campsite is located about a mile from Caribou Valley Road, and is the best campsite in this area. It is situated in a glacial bowl near a small pond with tent platforms, a spring, and a privy. From the pond, there are views toward the Crocker Mountains and the A.T. with peaks that sit over 1300 feet above the site. It’s a very scenic campsite, but don’t underestimate the difficulty of the terrain in this area.  Runtime is 4 minutes, 5 seconds.

Phillip Edward Island, Beaverstone Bay – Northern Ontario – August 11, 2012 (password required)

Beaverstone Bay sits just off the Georgian Bay in Northern Ontario and shares its water with Lake Huron. It is located between Philip Edward Island and the mainland of Ontario near Killarney and many sailboats enters its waters and follow the Collins Inlet seeking shelter (and sometimes overnight protection) from the winds and waves of Lake Huron. Runtime is 3 minutes, 56 seconds.

Great Smoky Mountain National Park, Kephart Shelter – Western North Carolina, December 18, 2010

This backtrack hike starts at US 441 on the North Carolina side of the part and just north of the Oconaluftee Visitors Center near Cherokee. The trail follows the The Kephart Prong which is a stream that runs down from Kephart Shelter to the Newfound Gap Road (also known as US 441). The shelter sleeps 10-12 and is situated in a valley at the junctions of the Grassy Branch and Sweat Heifer Trails. Runtime is 3 minutes, 22 seconds.

Rebel’s Farewell Slideshow, “Goodbye My Friend” – November 23, 2010 (password required)

After 12 ½ great years together, Rebel passed away just before Thanksgiving 2010. For those of you that hiked and backpacked with Rebel (and there were many), we plan to scattered his ashes on the trail where he spent a great deal of his life and where he helped my wife and I author a book on that very subject. Farewell my friend. I miss you dearly and think of you often. Runtime is 20 minutes, 6 seconds.

Beaverstone Bay, Northern Ontario – June 26, 2010

These are the closing pics from a 2010 trip to Beaverstone Bay in Northern Ontario that were tagged on to the end of a 1+ hour video I made for the group. The water is located off the Georgian Bay which is a large body of water on the northeastern side of Lake Huron.  Runtime is 4 minutes, 21 seconds.

Appalachian Trail, Smarts Mountain – Central New Hampshire – October 24, 2010

Smarts Mountain at 2,190 feet is one of twelve mountains in New Hampshire that exceeds two thousand feet. It is located on the Appalachian Trail and has a firetower and an enclosed shelter on the summit (which is the former ranger’s cabin). A series of tent platforms is located nearby and it can also be assessed from a number of blue-blazed side trails. This includes the Smarts Mountain Ranger Trail (to the southwest), the Clark Pond Loop Trail (to the south) and the Daniel Doan Trail which follows Mousley Creek (to the north and down to NH 25A). Runtime is 3 minutes, 56 seconds.

Appalachian Trail, Sabbath Day Pond – West Central Maine – September 18, 2009

This hike along the Appalachian Trail starts at State Route 17 near Rangeley, Maine and has outstanding views across a vast lake and to Bemis Mountain from the trailhead. From here, the scenery continues as the A.T. heads northbound from ME 17 past Moxie, Sabbath Day, Little Swift River, and South Ponds. A shelter is located about 200 yards from Sabbath Day Pond and a backcountry campsite (with piped spring) is located near the Little Swift River Pond. Both are great places to spend a few hours or the night if you have the time. Runtime is 5 minutes, 43 seconds.

Appalachian Trail, Gentian Pond – Central New Hampshire – November 8, 2008

Gentian Pond is a small alpine lake situated at 2165 feet along a ridgeline northeast of Gorham. The Appalachian Trail passes right in front of the Gentian Pond Shelter which is a small multi-level structure with two platforms for sleeping. The Camel and I were quite happy to find this shelter after climbing up 3.3 miles to the ridgeline. It was being pounded by strong winds from the south when we arrived, and the clouds were depositing their excess water on the ridge as we hiked the remainder of the day. To reach the shelter, we climbed 3.3 miles and 1700 feet from the North Road to Gentian Pond via the Austin Brook Trail which was a great place to break for lunch. Runtime is 4 minutes, 34 seconds.

Phillip Edward Island, Beaverstone Bay – Northern Ontario – June 9, 2007 (password required)

Here’s a video slideshow of another trip to Beaverstone Bay that is set to Rush’s Freewill and Red Barchetta and recaps our 2007 trip. This kayaking trip starts at the Chikanishing Creek just outside of Killarney, Ontario and ends at Beaverstone Bay. In the Bay (and throughout Collins Inlet) there are numerous islands that make great campsites and you will have a chance to enjoy some swimming, fishing and the abundant wildlife while you are in the area. Runtime is 11 minutes, 27 seconds.

Great Smoky Mountain National Park, Balsam Mountain – Western North Carolina – January 13, 2006

This loop hike starts at the Pretty Hollow Gap trailhead 1.3 miles from the end of the Cataloochee Road at a site called Nellie (near a restored early 1900’s schoolhouse). The route climbs the Pretty Hollow Gap trail to the Mount Sterling Ridge and follows this trail east toward Laurel Gap Shelter. Here it picks up the Balsam Mountain Trail and follows it down to the Balsam Mountain Road for a lengthy road walk to the Balsam Mountain Campground (since the Polls Gap Trail is temporarily closed.) From the Campground, the route descends to Polls Gap and picks up the Rough Fork Trail that descends back to the terminus of the Cataloochee Road and wide open area that occasionally has elk or wild turkeys wandering in the field. In the last few miles of this thirty mile route, there are some historic homesteads (including the S.L. Woody house which sits on Rough Fork Creek). Runtime is 4 minutes, 26 seconds.

Great Smoky Mountain National Park, Mt. LeConte – Western North Carolina – February 3, 2005

On this hike, we started at US 441 and climbed to the Mount Collins Shelter via the Husky Gap and Sugarland Mountain Trails. Once on the ridge, we followed the Appalachian Trail across Newfound Gap and up to the Boulevard Trail which crosses the summit of Mount LeConte at 6593 feet. There is both a shelter and clustering of commercial buildings available for rent on the mountain, and both Myrtle Point and High Top have spectacular views near the summit. The shortest decent from Mount LeConte is via the Alum Caves Trail, but this route takes the longer and more gradual decent along the Bullhead Trail. It intersects with the Two Mile Branch and Old Sugarlands Trails after 5.9 miles and these trails lead back to an overnight parking area at Sugarlands Visitor Center on US 441. Runtime is 4 minutes, 55 seconds.

Bright Angel Campground, Grand Canyon National Park – Northwest Arizona – December 10, 2002

The Grand Canyon is awesome any way you see it, and on this multi-day loop hike we started at the South Rim hiked to the Colorado River and looped back to the South Rim Village. Our hike through the Canyon was amazing and when combined with some snowboarding in Utah and some gambling in Vegas this vacation was tops. Runtime is 6 minutes, 2 seconds.

Heart Lake, Yellowstone National Park – Northwest Wyoming – August 31, 2002

The hike to Heart Lake starts in the southwestern corner of Yellowstone National Park. Our route passes campsites on the Snake River and at Basin Creek Lake and Heart Lake. Both the river and the lakes are loaded with trout which makes for some great fishing if that’s of interest. There is also some choice soaking spots where hot springs mix with the Snake River or Witch Creek. The Park Service only allows soaking in these mixed water areas and not in the hot springs themselves. Regardless, you’ll really enjoy this hike and you’ll have a chance to see a lot of wildlife and some areas still affected by the Yellowstone fires of 1988. Runtime is 9 minutes, 30 seconds.

Appalachian Trail/Bartram Trail, Cheoah Bald – Western North Carolina – January 26, 2002

Cheoah Bald at 5062 feet is the northern terminus of the Bartram Trail and it shares the summit with the Appalachian Trail. The views from here are spectacular from a grassy meadow that looks south over the Nantahala Gorge and from a small clearing that looks north to the Smoky Mountains. We hiked a thirty mile route over Cheoah Bald that included ascents of Wayah and Wesser Balds. The route climbs over 3000 feet from the Nantahala Outdoor Center (N.O.C.) to Cheoah Bald and it is a long and challenging ascent. We finished this shuttle hike by descending Cheoah on the Bartram Trail for five miles to U.S. 19. Runtime is 3 minutes, 59 seconds.

The Chilkoot National Historic Trail, Southeast Alaska – June 29, 2001

The Chilkoot Trail is a walk back in time. It follows the trail that the stampeders used to reach the Yukon River and float their provisions to the gold fields of the Klondike over a hundred years ago. Many artifacts from the 1890’s still litter the trail and there is great diversity along the way: swamps, deserts, snowy mountain passes, lush canyons, and alpine lakes. The 33+ miles of trail take the backpacker across Alaska and into the Yukon Territory via the Chilkoot Pass. The hiker eventually winds their way down into British Columbia and completes the journey at Lake Bennett via a return trip to Skagway on a historic rail line that is often voted as one of the most scenic in the world. If you are looking for solitude, this trail is not for you since many thru-hikers complete the trek every summer. But if you seek adventure, great scenery, and Klondike history, then you will love the Chilkoot. Runtime is 5 minutes, 50 seconds.

Cross-Country Road Trip – June 29, 1998

This is the second of two cross-country road trips that I did in my younger years.  In 1998, The Ox and I drove across the U.S. and Canada and spent 38 days exploring the Rockies, Cascades, and Pacific Northwest.  This is a video slide show of the journey and it covers the interior of the U.S. that we missed two years earlier.  We also dip in to Canada for a few weeks (to Alberta and British Columbia) which provided some of the best scenery of the trip.  Runtime is 8 minutes, 37 seconds.

Cross-Country Road Trip – June 29, 1996

This is the first of two cross-country road trips I did in my younger years.  In 1996, Mackie and I drove 17,000 miles and hit all four corners of the U.S. on a road trip that took us across the U.S. and Canada and spanned 65 days for me and 38 days for Mackie.  This is a video slide show of the journey.  20 years later – this was one of the most memorable summers of my life.  We are fortunate to live in a country with so many great places to see, and the best part is that you don’t need a lot of money to do it. You just need the time … or to make the time!  Runtime is 6 minutes, 6 seconds.

Denali National Park, Zones 31 & 32 – Central Alaska – June 30, 1995

The route we chose through Zones 31 and 32 was a brutal one. We crossed one canyon, two mountain ranges and forded the Toklat Rivers frequently on the last day of the hike. The scenery however, was spectacular, and we saw more wildlife on this trip than I have ever seen in over twenty years of backpacking. If you are up to the challenge, and in great physical shape, consider this hike. Runtime is 3 minutes, 58 seconds.

Appalachian Trail – April 10th to October 15th, 1994  (short film, ~5 min)

This is a 5 minute slideshow of some of my favorite pics from my hike on the Appalachian Trail – April 10th to October 15th 1994.  I spent 188 days on the A.T. in ’94 passing through 14 states, 8 national forests, 6 units of the national park system, and 60 state park, forest, or game lands.  The video is higher definition and shorter than the one below and was created in April 2019 to mark the 25th anniversary of my hike.  Runtime is 5 minutes, 04 seconds.  

Appalachian Trail – April 10th to October 15th, 1994  (long file, ~40 min)

This is a 38 minute slideshow documenting my thru-hike on the Appalachian Trail in 1994.  I mixed the video two years after my hike in Charlotte, NC using an old VHS camera and a mic/mixing system from the Video Editor. The technology is archaic by today’s standards but it captured the moment at the time.  (See above for a shorter, more recent, and higher quality video production.) 

The slideshow clocks in at nearly 40 minutes (which is likely too long for most), and my kids tell me I sound a bit sad in the early narration. But be patient – things pick up as we close in on Katahdin.  If nothing else, it’s a look back at the A.T. in the early 90’s before modern technology caught up with the Trail and when most hikers recorded their hike with a 35mm camera.  If you want to see a day-by-day log of the hike, then click this link.  Runtime is 38 minutes, 50 seconds.

Rogerson’s Air at Smoky Lake, Northern Ontario, Canada – September 8, 1991

Here’s a brief recap of a trip to Rogerson’s at Smoky Lake.  This is made in honor of Roy Melick who logged nearly 20 years of fishing trips with my family – and shares the same birthday as my son. On this visit we do some fishing, have a shore lunch (with fried fish, beans, and spaghetti) and need two planes to haul out our crew and gear. We depart through morning fog that is streaked with sunlight – which makes for some great video.  Runtime is 4 minutes, 51 seconds.