*****Trail Reviews & Favorite Hikes*****
This page will be used to post trail reviews of hiking trails and to share your favorite hikes (anywhere in the world).
If you would like to submit a trail review or list a favorite hike, please be as descriptive as possible and provide as much of the following information as possible:
Directions to the trail from the nearest location listed on a Rand-McNally type map, length of trail, availability of parking, water sources, difficulty of trail (according to the scale shown below) and any special attractions that the trail contains (great views, wildlife, wildflowers, solitude, etc.).
Please send contributions to me as e-mail at
rainmaker@rabun.net .
Easy (Suitable for beginners or families with small children)
Moderate (Not suitable for small children or solo beginners)
Difficult (Hiking experience definitely required)
Extreme (Don't try it unless you know what you are doing)
| Trail Reviews | Favorite Hikes |
*****Trail Reviews*****
Chimney Tops Trail
Submitted By Rowanangel_f
Length:
4 miles round-trip
Elevation Gain:
1,300’
Rating:
Moderate - Difficult
Location:
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, USA
Directions:
Drive South from Sugarlands Visitor Center on Newfound Gap Road 6.7 miles to the Chimney Tops parking area, which is located on the right (east) side of the road.
The Chimney Tops trail is a short but strenuous 4 mile round-trip hike. The first mile is an easy to moderate stroll through magnolias, eastern hemlock, and rhododendron and offers the tranquil sound of rushing water from two tributaries of the Little Pigeon River. You will cross the tributaries and other streams several times following the trail over sturdy bridges, all of which offer hand rails. These provide views of crystal clear streams running down smooth and mossy boulders and make for great picture spots. After the first mile, the trail comes to a junction with the Road Prong Trail. Bear right at this junction to continue toward the Chimneys.
Leaving the junction behind, the trail begins a steep and steady ascent through a creek valley for the next 600 yards or so. Here the vegetation gives way to the yellow buckeye whose big yellow-and-white flowers begin to bloom in May. Several varieties of wildflowers can be found at this time of year as well. This section is followed by two sharp, steep, and rocky switchbacks which lead to the base of the Chimneys themselves. Here the trail appears to end abruptly at the base of a rock pinnacle and is marked by a park service sign which prohibits anyone from going further. It seems a shame to come all this way without a rewarding view from the top. If you choose to go further, proceed with caution.
The exposed rock outcrops are Anakeesta metamorphic slate and are over 600 million years old. It’s with reverence for this ancient formation that one begins a scramble up the 50 feet of rock face which offers many hand and foot holds. From the top you will discover that it was indeed worth the effort, as a vast 360-degree view of the oldest mountain chain in North America unfolds before you. It is spectacular!
River To River Trail
Submitted By Brawny
Location:
Southern Illinois, USA
Length:
159 Miles
Rating:
Moderate
This 159.15 mile trail spans Southern Illinois, from eastern Battery Rock, located on the Ohio River, to the western Devils Backbone Park on the Mississipi River. It is said that some thru-hikers have carried a small vial of one river to dump into the other at the termination of their hike. As of last spring, only 8 people have been known to thru-hiked in one journey.
A trail guide has been printed which includes topo maps, listing of campgrounds, towns and services along the way. I found the guide to be very useful in clarifying the rerouted trail. It has good discriptions of the various segments, along with historical information. The River to River Trail Society, Bridges Lane, Belknap, IL 62908 is where you may write for more information. The number is 618-658-8409. The e-mail address is listed as bridges@accessus.net.
The section I hiked in March of '99 began at the small town of Herod, 38 miles east of the Ohio River, which is located on Route 34. I drove into town, and was allowed to park at the post office there for three nights, with the assurance that all would be fine.
The trail follows the narrow road about a half mile east, then enters the woods. This trail is in the Shawnee National Forest, and it's as naturally wild as Illinois can get. There were small shallow streams which crossed the trail, which is only moderately difficult. Water isn't hard to get in the springtime. I understand its much more difficult in the summer.
We camped just off the trail at Garden of the Gods that night, on a bluff. Three raccoons gave us an uneasy night, being true food bandits. A thunderstorm encouraged an early departure the next morning. We hiked in the rain until we found a suitable cave to start a fire and dry out some gear and warm up. It is on this trip that I learned how ineffectual a rain poncho is in conjunction with hiking poles.
The white diamonds with a blue "i" painted in the middle mark the official River to River trail, were well spaced. However, the trail split because of rerouting, and went thru a horse/trailer camp ground, entering from the north, and leaving at the southern end. This would have been very confusing without the trail guide. Few people in the area are even aware of the trail, or its location, so asking directions doesn't always help.
The trail at times was very eroded, not from people, but so much horse traffic that is predominant in the fall. With the day's rain, and the trough like trail, we found ourselves muddy up to our knees.
We camped at High Knob that night. It's easy to find beautiful camping spots, with water. Level is another story. That day we had seen more deer than people, and hawks flying overhead, so the evening campfire was a peaceful time of satisfaction. Poison Ivy thrives in that area, so it's wise to not burn leaves or twigs unless one can be certain they are not from that plant.
We retraced our trail the next two days. The return trip was not at all redundant. The unusual rock formations are interesting, and navagation was easier. The just blooming wild daffodils were lovely.
Hiking this trail in springtime is recommended. Its very hot and humid in summer, and fall brings out hordes of horse related trail events. Winter can be unforgiving.
If anyone is interested in thru-hiking the River to River Trail, please e-mail me at Brawny03@yahoo.com . 14 days are recommended by the trail guide for a thru- hike, although one young man reportedly did it in 8.
*****Favorite Hikes*****
Standing Indian Loop Hike (AT + 2 side trails)
Submitted By Rainmaker
Location:
Nantahala Mountains, near Franklin, NC (USA)
Length:
About 25 miles
Directions:
Take Highway 64 west from Franklin, NC approximately 20 miles, and follow signs to Standing Indian Campground
Rating:
Moderate
This is a beautiful loop hike with many great views that begins and ends at Standing Indian Campground. Overnight, free parking is available at the Backcountry Information Center just past the entrance to the campground on USFS Road 67.
No permits are required, water and wildlife are plentiful, and the area usually is not crowded, except perhaps on holiday week-ends. Part of the hike goes through a North Carolina Bear Sanctuary, and bear sightings (and encounters) are fairly common. In the spring, which arrives late at the higher elevations, wildflowers are abundant. In the fall, the changing leaves can be spectacular.
There is a fairly steep ascent from the campground to the summit of Standing Indian Mountain, but once the altitude is gained, its not "given back" until the hiker exits the AT at Glassmine Gap.
To hike nortbound, locate the Kimsey Creek Trail in the campground, and begin the 4 mile ascent to the Appalachian Trail at Deep Gap. The trail follows the creek a good part of the distance, and goes past several cascades and small waterfalls. Part of the trail is on an abandoned cog railroad bed. The small rail system was used to transport logs from this area many years ago. The Kimsey Creek Trail intersects the Appalachian Trail at Deep Gap. Turn left (north) and begin the (additional) ascent of Standing Indian Mountain. The Standing Indian Shelter is located about a mile north of Deep Gap along the route.
Several miles later, a short side trail is encountered which goes to the summit of Standing Indian Mountain. The short 5 minute walk is worth it; the view is spectacular. For northbound thru-hikers of the AT, this is the first 5,000 ft. mountain they encounter on their journey from Georgia to Maine.
Continuing north on the AT for about 6 miles, hikers will pass the two shelters at Carter Gap. Several gaps and six miles later, the trail begins its VERY steep .3 mile ascent of Albert Mtn. However, hikers are rewarded by spectacular views on the legally climbable fire tower at the summit. The views don't get much better than this in the southern Appalachians!
The Big Spring Shelter is located less than a mile north of Albert Mtn. just off the AT on a side trail. A short distance later, a large grove of virgin Hemlock trees can be seen. Many of these magnificent trees were damaged or killed when fully intact Hurricane Opal held it all together for several hundred miles after leaving the Gulf Of Mexico and hit the area several years ago.
About 2 miles north of Big Spring Shelter at Glassmine Gap, the Long Branch Trail intersects the AT. Descend on the Long Branch trail about 2.3 miles back to Standing Indian Campground.