Hoping to get some intel on the parking at Carver’s Gap (Roan Mtn) for next weekend (May4-5).

How big is the lot, and is it likely to fill up at some point in the day? I’m driving out from central NC and trying to figure out how early I have to leave. Thanks!!

I’d love to plan a 3 day / 2 night trip that covers at least 20 miles, isn’t out and back, and ideally traverses some remote and “out there” feeling terrain. Anyone have any recs that check those boxes?

Hi all,

My son is in scouts and the backpacking trip they had planned this month has been postponed. He's never backpacked before and asked if just he and I could go the first time. I'm all about that. I'm in SC, but just over the bridge into Charlotte. Where are some good trails 7-8 miles round trip with somewhere to camp in the middle that are within an hour or two of Charlotte? We have all the gear and he's experience hiking, but backpacking is something new for him.

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Afternoon everyone! I plan on taking a few buddies out to the blue ridge mountains and we want to spend 2 full days hiking and camping. We’re all marines in good shape and we’re wanting longer hikes with a few challenges but a strong emphasis on summits and views. I’ve lived here for 2 years now but this will be my first trip to the blue ridge so I appreciate any advice, help, or recommendations!

My son absolutely loves hiking and I used to but am way out of shape (fat, in my 40s, and have a knee and ankle that occasionally gets twingy).

This means a lot of times when we go one more challenging hikes I'm stuck in the Jeep with a book while he and my partner hike.

Any advice on some that are in the area and will be enjoyable for him but not super strenuous for me?

Length isn't a big deal, as long as the total's less than about 5-6 mi, but elevation completely kills me, especially when there's a lot of roots or uneven terrain on the state parts.
As an example, Crabtree Falls is fun for me except for the section right after the fall going back up hill pushes me a little further than I would like right now and I usually need to be very careful of how I step plus take breathing breaks.

I’m doing a quick 2-day trip out to Roan for the first time. Looking for a decent place to leave my car and backpack up to 4 or 5 miles (but less is fine) for backcountry camping and day hiking.

Recommendations? Thanks!!

I'll be visiting Boone and Asheville area in late May. I'm looking for challenging trails, that I'll feel safe walking solo, bear-wise. We don't have bears in my usual hiking area, and reading through GSMNP website, it feels intimidating, or maybe not responsible walking some areas alone.

I'm an experienced hiker, and I don't mind walking long distance for the whole day. For now, what I found is Grandfather peak and Woody Ridge Trail that might fit.

Any tips or other suggestions?

Thanks!

Hello! My wife and I are moving out of NC in Aug and I always wanted to go see Linville Gorge. As such, we are planning a day trip up there in two weeks. The trip will be six weeks before she is expected to give birth to our first child. Is doing the Hawksbill Mountain Trail reasonable? All Trails says it is only 2 miles round trip with only 600 feet of elevation change, but I am concerned about any scrambling or steep parts given she is pregnant.

As an FYI, my wife has been very active during her pregnancy so the hike itself is not a concern, assuming its straightforward. I just have never been and do not know what to expect.

Feel free to also recommend any milder hikes with good views of the Gorge. We are really excited to see it in person!

I’ll be up in the Boone area this weekend, and I’ve really hiked a bunch of the trails within a 45 min drive of town.

I’m considering making the hour or so drive to Roan. A moderate to strenuous 2-6 mile hike that involves at least 1 bald with a lookout is what I’m ideally looking for. I’ll have a dog and my pregnant but fit wife with me. Does anyone have a specific recommendation for their favorite Roan Mtn hike that fits the bill?

I will have up to five days to do something the second week of May and I'm thinking about doing one of these:

• Art Loeb Yo-Yo. I've never done it so it has to happen at some point!

• Mountains to Sea Trail Segment 4. Looks really amazing, but I would need to figure out a shuttle and I do not have a permit for the Gorge, assuming I can't get one of the Wednesday week-of permits. Not a showstopper at all, but perhaps not ideal. I think finding a shuttle driver will be the hardest part.

• Foothills Trail. I have done this before, but two days of solid rain meant I saw nothing at all from Sassafras, so I definitely want to do it again sometime.

• Something else amazing that I'm missing?

Thoughts or advice? Many thanks!

Wife and I booked 2x nights right outside of Blowing Rock (Thurs - Sat) & 2x nights in Brevard (Sat - Mon) for MDW.

Looking to do <5hr hikes on Friday and Sunday - ideally less than 45min drive from home base. We don't mind elevation gain and some challenges, for a reward view(s) but nothing that will take everything out of you by completion (think moderate difficulty to entry level hard).

Also, wife doesn't bike, but I am considering bringing my full suspension trail bike - would be great to know my best trail option(s) to do at least one solo ride between all our other exploring. I'm comfortable on blues and just beginning to dabble in blacks. If you advise not to bring it if I'm rolling solo, all good.

Any Alltrails / Trailforks / Strava / etc. links are appreciated. Thank you!

So, I learned 30 minutes ago that you could boondock/disperse camp there. Then, 10 minutes ago, I learned it was suspended. Can anyone point me towards any current info from them directly?

It's been closed just long enough that I miss going there (don't miss the crowds, though). Does anyone know when the area is supposed to reopen?

Let's say that, hypothetically, I scheduled a backpacking trip during the work week and, hypothetically, my boss scheduled a meeting that I've got to attend virtually on the morning I'm meant to hit the trail.

Is there enough of a signal on Verizon to get service for a Zoom meeting at the Hawksbill trailhead? And/or anywhere along the trail on the east side of the gorge leaving south from Hawksbill? In this hypothetical situation, which is hypothetical, I wouldn't need to have my video on, but would at least need a good enough connection to view another person's shared screen content.

Btw, this is of course all hypothetical, and I would not DARE schedule a backpacking trip during a workday on which it was more likely than not that no one would notice my absence, even if it was going to be REALLY fun, and I REALLY didn't want to work.

I was planning on taking a 2 day hike in Roan but realized all the AT hikers are scheduled to be going through that area and I like to hike to get away from people. Anyone know a good 2 night hike that isn’t Art Loab, Linville or Panthertown?

Me and my husband are wanting to backpacking the linville gorge wilderness area. we got an overnight permit for the end of may, but it’s only for one night. Are there any good loops or anything that can be done in that timespan?

I hiked about 16 miles yesterday at Morrow Mountain following an AllTrails path. I kept getting off trail notifications so I just decided to disregard and walk the blazed trails. Here is a map of Hattaway Mountain where green was the route and blue was the actual hike. Sugarloaf Mountain trail is closed and the Middle Loop trail has changed as well.

Hello, I'm looking to do the art loeb some time in May (NOBO) and need some advice

1: Is there any hope for hitchhiking from the boy scout trailhead back to town (even if it requires walking to the road)? I'll be taking an uber from the asheville airport but I doubt I'll have any luck out there (if I even have service) but I want to avoid paying for a 100 dollar shuttle if I can.

2: Any places that can send and recieve packages for my trekking poles and stakes? I don't want to pay for a checked bag for my cheapo airline I'll be taking. I know theres a post office, but its far from the trailhead and I'll probably be finishing on a Sunday

My wife and I are heading over to Hanging Rock for the first time this weekend. Looking for a good lunch spot for after.

We were going to do pilot mountain, and found the perfect lunch spot over there — The Tilted Ladder — and would love to find something similar close to Hanging Rock.

Hey everyone. I've got a group of people and a camping permit for Linville Gorge this May. We want to do tent camping with gear, including a grill and a cooler of food for a night, so I'm trying to keep that in mind when choosing our spot.

Are there any trails at Linville which would be good for tent camping with the extra gear? Online I am seeing that Spence Ridge is the easiest and gets you right to the river, does anyone know if theres good spots along that trail where we could set up a few tents?

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Thanks!

I was hiking in Hanging Rock yesterday, and was surprised by how different the trail was going up to Hanging Rock. As I'm sure many know, in the past the first part of the trail is easy, then there is a steep set of rock stairs up to the top that closely follows the rocky outcropping. Now the whole trail is the same - a long gradual and wide flat trail (the last ~100 ft are still the same). It's a bit longer and much easier as a result, but also (in my opinion) much less beautiful/special.

I tried Googling this but haven't come up with any reason for why they changed it - based on Alltrails reviews, it seems like this change just happened back in mid-March. Figured maybe somebody here knows why. Were too many people getting injured on the stair section?

Edit: Ok, I found the answer: https://www.ncparks.gov/planning-files/general-management-plan-hanging-rock-state-park/open

On page 40 of this plan from 2020, it says that the trail "to the overlook needs to be redesigned to provide emergency access due to multiple injuries and heavy usage. Trails staff will design an alignment trail built to sustainable design standards and practices."

Fingers crossed that means the old trail will eventually re-open for those who prefer it.

I’m in Winston-Salem and next weekend my brother (m16) and I (m17) are wanting to go camping next weekend (19th-21st) and I’m googling where to go camping and it’s all very confusing?

I was in a wilderness program a few years ago so I know how to camp, set up shelter, make fires, purify water etc, but I’m confused as to where I can go? I’m very interested in a more primitive camping, no restrooms, standard campgrounds, flashlights etc

I know that national forests and BLM land are all fair game, but does that mean I just park my car on the side of the road and hike a mile into the woods to set up camp? Am I allowed to make a small campfire to cook food and use for light?

What all should I bring with me other than rope, sleeping bags, tents, food, and water?

TLDR going camping next weekend but wants to do it old fashion style, where should I go that’s roughly 2-3 hours from Winston, low/no traffic/people, how do I know I’m in legal place to camp and what should I bring with me?