Some Cooking at the Lake
Early August 2025 I took a couple of nights during early August to go canoe camping at Lake James State Park. Had a cool few days; unusual for August, although there is usually a break in temperatures this time of year – just not that cool. Leaving the landing area and civilization: Fishing sucked, but…
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Cataloochee Area Backpack 6/17 – 6/20/24 I made plans to hike a short loop in the Cataloochee area of the GSMNP, partly to use a new tent (REI’s half-dome), but as much to get on the trail again. Six months off was a big pain. Mid-summer ’23, I started to play Pickleball and got addicted. …
Hot August Morning
As opposed to Neil Diamond’s ‘Hot August Night’ I decided on a day hike today. One that I’ve taken plenty of times before, but not in the heat of an early August morning. Reminds me that I really like this trail in the late fall, winter, and early spring. 20 minutes from home, the Boulders…
Short Rain Hike
4/1/23 Took a 3.9 mile walk in Crowder’s Mountain State Park. Hiked from the park office to just past the Pinnacle and back. A bit of rain sprinkling down at the start. Then as I got near the Pinnacle the real rain started, and it looked quite stormy. I decided not to go to the…
Appalachian Trail through the Smokies
2017 I made plans to section hike the Appalachian Trail through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in 2017. The original plans were to hike it in 9 days 8 nights starting at Fontana Dam. I reserved shelters along the way – Birch Spring Gap, Russell Field, Derrick Knob, Silers Bald, Mt. Collins, Icewater Springs,…
Fall 2013 Art Loeb Trail
From September 28 to October 3, 2013 I hiked the Art Loeb Trail from the Davidson River Access to the Daniel Boone Boy Scout Camp. I then hiked back into the Shining Rock Wilderness and over the ridge back to my car at the Big East Fork Trailhead. The Art Loeb Trail is one of…
Upper Linville Gorge
I start a new position as a contract engineer on the 21st, so I figured I’d get out and hike a few miles in the Linville Gorge. I thought about spending 3 nights with an out and back, but realized once I got there that I was supposed to only spend 2 nights, so I…
GSMNP 5-20
This is about a trip I made to the Smokies in the spring of 2020. I had made plans and gotten reservations for campsites up and down Hazel and Eagle Creeks for the week of Easter. I like taking that week off since it only uses up 4 of my vacation days. Well, the Wuflu…
2nd Post
I’ve struggled a bit deciding what to post next on the blog. I finally decided to post about my last backpack trip over Labor Day weekend 2021. I had reserved backcountry campsites 98, 81, 76, and 74 for an out and back trip, starting at the Tunnel that ends at the Road to Nowhere in…
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McLeod's Hikes and Such 