Hi all, I’m hoping someone can tell me where along the Ivestor Gap Trail the piped spring is. Specifically, how far from the Sam Knob parking area is it? And is it on a side trail or the main trail? Many thanks!

My son (9 y/o) wants to try backpacking. We've done drive-in camping together a handful of times, I used to go regularly before he was born, and I've done some backpacking (2-3 nights at a time, multiple campsite trips) but that was 2 decades ago.

I've been looking through some old posts on here and it seems like Uwharrie National Forest has some good options for beginners. From looking at this map, I was thinking of starting at the 24/27 trailhead and hiking to the Yates Place camp and back, one way on Dutchman's Creek, the other on the Uwharrie Trail.

Since he's a complete beginner and I'm so long out of practice, I'm planning on doing several shorter hikes near where we live (the triangle) on weekends to build up our stamina, and I'd like to shoot for early-November for our actual trip.

I'm here looking for any suggestions y'all have: other trails/plans; good starter gear (I'm planning on putting out requests in local FB groups so I don't sink a ton of money into gear if my kid ends up hating it); logistics for a 1-night trip; and any blind spots I've got.

I loved the backpacking trips I did when I was young, and I'd love to get back into it and hopefully foster that same enjoyment with my son (and eventually his younger siblings), so I'm all ears, folks. Thanks!

Trump administration to rescind rule protecting old growth forests

Almost 45m acres of national forests could be potentially opened to road construction, drilling and logging

Heading up to Mt Leconte this Friday (Yeah Me!). I have my parking pass and was planning to park at Alum Cave parking lot with Rainbow Falls as a backup. Our goal is to be at the lot around 10:00 to 10:30. The weather that day doesn't look great.

Anyone have any intel if the lots will be full at that time.

Hi! I will be staying in the Banner Elk area for a few days and would appreciate any hiking recommendations.. I have done Grandfather mountain 5 times. Otter falls in Seven Devils.

What other hikes would you recommend? (I’m okay with an hour or so drive.. and may hop over to TN for fly fishing). Interested in waterfalls, fire towers, or just good ole views.

If I wanted to go for a chill run (doesn’t have to be a trail) any recommendations?

Hello all,

I am tentatively planning on flying out to California in October to try to tackle Cactus2Clouds. I think Bowlens to Deep Gap to Mt Mitchell would be a good stepping stone in September.

I know Helene did a number on this trail and was hoping for some locals to respond here and let me know if the trail is open again—I’m seeing conflicting information online.

Also is the transit authority still running shuttles?

I‘m thinking of going from the bottom up then catch a shuttle back down to my car. Also—if they’re up and running, how does it work reserving a spot and how late do they run?

yes yes I know this is all google-able information and I’ve tried but like I said info is all over. So if any of my fellow Redditors here could respond I’d REALLY appreciate it!

(feel free to chime in with any tips, insights, storie of fist times on the trail, etc)

cheers!

EDIT: aaaaaand typo’d the title. fml

Im gonna try to hike it this october but im not sure if its still open or closed since the hurricane (internet can be unreliable) is it now open? Also how hard of a hike is it on a scale of 1-10, ten being like extremely difficult 🤣

I'll be coming from the Upstate of SC so i guess something on the NC side would be closest. Looking for something around 5 miles.

I was thinking about Kephart Prong or Deep Creek Falls.

Im planning a backpacking trip to Grandfather Mountain with one other person. Photos would be helpful! If it matters, I have a trekking pole tent and my friend has a free standing tent. This will also help me decide which trails we are going to take.

This might sound silly, but I am trying to figure out where to park while dispersed camping. I know all the leave no trace rules for where and how to make camp, but there are few roads that go near the north western section of the Appalachian district map (near barnardsville) and I don't know where a safe place to leave the car overnight would be?

I was hoping to find a spot farther along the big ivy trailhead forestry road, but it is closed off due to helene and only the public day area has any parking.

Going to crowders mountain this weekend for the first time, we aren’t experienced hikers by all means but definitely in shape. Throw some trail recommendations! Definitely debating between the pinnacle trail, rock top trail, or the backside trail.

A photographer friend and I are looking for gentle trails and walks anywhere between Winston Salem and Fort Bragg where we can take middle of nowhere pictures. The kind of beautiful place we are unlikely to come across other hikers. Does anyone know of a place? I love Shacktown falls but it’s a little far for the photographer.

All right people I am back again with yet another review. I did the Laurel loop today. Now I did go off trail and added a little to my hike than the actual trail so my mileage is a little longer than just the trail. However, this is by far the death trail. I have been on since I came here. It’s the first trail where there are points, not the whole thing but points where I actually felt like I was hiking. Once again, absolute beautiful view. Amazing aesthetics and wildlife. This trail I would give 3.5 stars at five. By far the best trail I’ve been on and honestly, it was so peaceful. But as I told the park, Ranger at the visitor center there’s a lot of empty wooded space out here that you could probably add six or seven more trails and they still wouldn’t be intrusive to anyone or other trails. I even saw a spot where you could make a four wheeler trail, but there’s also a lot of spots that should
be maintained better and cleared out for maybe 100 foot off trail shoots to take you to looking spot the grave view or areas to do other things. I love this trail but seeing a lot of the space and a lot of opportunities overall, the only thing else to say is that whoever is in charge of trails here in this park, whoever the trail masters, you need to do a little better at your job. But like I said, I’ll definitely be back. This is absolutely beautiful. I’ll be out again tomorrow for a very short hike with my three-year-old. Maybe I’ll let him help me write that review. 😂.