Let's Take A Look Back At 2019

I have been doing seasonal blogs for a long time. In fact, the first full blog in December of 2013 was one of these. Well, I will admit I had tired of the stat keeping because for me hiking isn't a sport. So, I tried to keep it alive with Top 5 Hike Blogs on the seasons, but that hasn't worked out, so I am going to try one more thing... rolling all of these Season Blogs into one big Year-End Blog.

It will feature the Top 5 Hikes of each season, plus other Top 5 like best Backpacks, Campsites, Favorite Waterfalls, Tallest Peaks and other stuff. This will free me up to do other blogs because Season ones take a lot of time. 

Top 5 Hikes of HikeSummer '19
# 1: Hike to Big Yellow Mountain (Aug. 17)
#2: Gray Lillies & More on the Roans (Jun. 27)
#3: AT Day Hike to Three Falls (Aug. 24)
#4: Finishing AT Hike Hughes Gap to Cloudland Hotel Site (July 25)
#5: AT Hike Iron Mountain Gap to Clyde Smith Shelter (Aug. 15)

Top 5 Day Hikes of the 2019 Fall Hiking Series

#1: Grandfather Mountain Day Hikes (Sept. 24-25)
#2: Mid-Appalachian Hike to Pleasant Garden (Oct. 19)
#3: Snow Adventures in CNF (Nov. 13)
#4: Unaka Mountain AT Hike (Oct. 23)
#5: Six-Pack of Vistas on Camp Creek Bald (Nov. 10)

                                                                                 Top 5 Overnight Trips of 2019
# 1: AT Section Backpack Across the Roan's (July 15-16)
# 2: Grandfather Mountain (Sept. 24-25)
#3: AT Backpack Across Camp Creek Bald (Aug. 20-21)
#4: SC 3-Day Backpack in Rocky Fork (Aug. 31 to Sept. 2)
#5: SC Backpack at Mt. Mitchell (Jun.29-30)

Top 5 Non Hikes of 2019

#1: TCC Float Down the Clinch (Aug. 5)
#2: Missing Link on the Foothills Parkway (Oct. 25)
#3: Gatlinburg Sky Bridge (July 30)
#4: TCC Naturalist Rally (Sept. 28}
#5: TCSC Spring Chapter Meeting (May 3-5)

Top 5 Pete Hikes...BITICHES!
#1: AT Section Backpack Across the Roan's (July 15-16)
#2: Roan Highlands Easter Snow Hike (Apr. 21)
#3: SC Backpack at Mt. Mitchell (Jun.29-30)
#4: AT Backpack Across Camp Creek Bald (Aug. 20-21)
#5: Grandfather Mountain (Sept. 24-25)

Top 5 Campsites

#1: Overmountain Gap, Roans PNF (July 15-16)
#2: Max Patch, AT (Oct. 9-10)
#3: Buncombe Horse Trail, Mt. Mitchell (June 29-30)
#4: Jerry's Cabin, AT (Aug 20-21)
#5: Old Forge Campground, CNF (Sept. 14-15)

Top 5 Highest Peaks of 2019

#1: Mt. Mitchell - 6,684 ft. (Jun. 29)
#2: Mt. Craig - 6,647 ft. (Jun. 29)
#3: Clingmans Dome - 6,643 ft. (May 25)
#4: Big Tom - 6,581 ft. (Jun. 29)
#5: Mt. Buckley - 6,580 ft. (May 25)

Top 5 Waterfalls of 2019
#1: Burgess Falls (Jan. 25)
#2: Cane Creek Falls & Rock House Falls, Fall Creek Falls SP (May 5)
#3: Fall Creek & Coon Den Falls (May 3-5)
#4: Margarette Falls, CNF (April 3)
#5: Sill Branch Falls, CNF (Mar. 28)

Best Hike of Each Month of 2019

 January: Burgess Falls (Jan. 25)

February: Hike to Refurbished Rich Mtn. Fire Tower (Feb. 27)

March: St. Patty's Day Hike at Laurel Run Park (Mar. 17)

April: Roan Highlands Easter Snow Hike (Apr. 21)

May: Waterfalls of Fall Creek Falls (May 3-5)

June: Gray Lillies & More on the Roans (Jun. 27) & SC Backpack at Mt. Mitchell (Jun.29-30)

July: AT Section Backpack Across the Roan's (July 15-16)

August: AT Backpack Across Camp Creek Bald (Aug. 20-21) 

September: Grandfather Mountain (Sept. 24-25)

October: Mid-Appalachian Hike to Pleasant Garden (Oct. 19)

November: Snow Adventures in CNF (Nov.13)

December: Winter Solstice AT Hike Indian Grave Gap to Chestoa (Dec. 21)

Spring-Thru '19: Top 5 Day Hikes

It is hard to believe that Spring has come and gone. There were plenty of Spring days, but there were also ones that felt like Winter and others like Summer...all in the same week.
There were a number of high peaks that I visited, like Roan High Knob (6,285 feet). However, the tallest was 6,643 feet at the Top of the Smokies on Clingmans Dome. There were a number of large waterfalls and they were all in one Tennessee State Park, Fall Creek Falls. The signature falls was the tallest at 256 feet, six feet taller than it's companion Coon Creek Falls. I also got to do a number of AT (Appalachian Trail) outings during Thru-Hiking season. Overall, it was a great Spring-Thru '19 and here are the best of the best...the Top 5 Hikes of the season...

Honorable Mention #1: Buffalo Mountain Hikes (April 24 & May

16, 2019) - I did two hikes in the Spring to my old stomping grounds of Buffalo Mountain. The first was up to White Rocks and its nice view. The second was my annual May wildflower hike where I saw plenty of Mountain Laurel and Pink Lady Slippers. Because of this, I have to give it an honorable mention.

Honorable Mention #2: Smokies High Country Hike (May 25, 2019) - Normally any hike in the High Country of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park would easily make the Top 5 of any season. However, for a number of reasons this Sierra Club outing from Clingmans Dome to Newfound Gap on the AT just missed out. This was the second time I did this one and it didn't go according to plan, either trip, but I did finish this time.

Number 5: Pete's Branch Falls (April 12, 2019) - This was one of the best Wildflower hikes of this Spring. I had done this hike before in the snow, but this one was flat out better. I saw my first Bent Trilliums (Wakerobin) and an area covered in Trout Lilies. There were so many wildflowers it filled most of a blog. Because it had snowed on Camp Creek Bald the water flow was better than my first trip here.

Number 4: Old Forge Loop (May 1, 2019) - This was a hike I had

wanted to do for some time. I had seen it in Molloy's Tri-Cites hiking book and it starts at the Old Forge Campground. You will travel on three trails and have 36-creek crossings on this five-mile loop. The hike also seems like three different hikes. First, it climbs next to Little Jennings Creek then it becomes a high country hike with great views. Once it goes back under the valley trees it is green and moist again. There were some nice waterfalls too.

Number 3: Hughes Gap AT Hike (April 10, 2019) - Spring-Thru

wouldn't be Spring-Thru if there wasn't a AT outing during Thru-Hiking season and this hike from Hughes Gap fit the bill. I never had hiked from Hughes Gap and was surprised to find out it was paved all the way. I hiked an out-and-back to Clyde Smith Shelter passing Little Rock Knob and it's great vista. I also ran into plenty of Thru-Hikers...it was a good day out.

Number 2: Waterfalls of Fall Creek Falls State Park (May 3-5,

2019) - I have combined the three days of the Sierra Club Spring Chapter Meeting. This was my first time to this wonderful state park and I did four hikes over three days. Friday I did a park tour with hikes to Cane Creek Cascade and Piney Creek Falls. I also went out to the beautiful vistas of Millikan's Overlook and Buzzards Roost.  On Saturday there was a hike cut short on the Paw Paw Trail, but the afternoon outing took us to the base of the park's signature cascade, Fall Creek Falls and it's "little sister" Coon Creek Falls. Before I left the park on Sunday I did one more hike with views of Cane Creek and Rock House Falls. It was a wonderful weekend, but still the second best...

Number 1: Roan Highlands Easter Snow Hike (April 21, 2019) -  It

was obvious what number one would be, I knew it that day. I mean, it's an AT hike, on the Roans and in the snow...not a fair fight at all. It was Easter weekend and the report was snow in the high country, so I decided to head up to Carvers Gap. This was the latest snow hike for me in Spring, so going up was definitely a good decision. Because of wind and Carvers Gap being banked in by clouds, I headed up to Roan High Knob and it's shelter. The second part of the hike I went up to Round and Jane Balds and like earlier it was still banked in but the wind had died down. But it was just a Winter Wonderland in Spring!

New Era In Seasons: WinterOutdoors '18-19 Top 5

This is the dawn of a new age for the Season Blog. It has been a staple of the blog since the beginning. But it is now time for a change, so I am going to a Top 5 Favorite Day Hikes of each season. Backpacks won't be a part of this I will do a separate one on those at year's end.
There are a number of reasons, but the main ones are the Season Blog is time-consuming and I am tired of tracking stats. So, I am just doing a Top 5 and I will mention some facts. Like the highest peak, I climbed, Rich Mountain (3,670 feet) or the largest waterfall, Burgess Falls (136-feet).

Honorable Mention: Hikes at the Cabin (December 2018 & January & February 2019) - Most of the hiking I did during WinterOutdoors was at the Cabin in Southwest Virginia. I did eight hikes and went to most of the spots I hike too. I also cut some new trails by clearing and marking. I do love hiking those woods and they deserve mention.

Number 5:  Panther Creek SP (January 7, 2019) - While this hike took place in
January it felt more March. This hike took place on the boat launch side using the Horse Connector Trail & four others. It offered beautiful views of Panther Creek and Cherokee Lake. Oh, I got to see Teddy the Barred Owl.

Number 4:  Seven Islands SBP (January 31, 2019) - You will notice that this Winter
hike has something the other outings don't have... snow. While it was a good hike having snow is what earned it the fourth place on this list. It was also the coldest hike of the winter to start. The hike was partly on a new path, the Hickory Ridge Trail. I also passed the bridge been built to connect with one of the Islands. It was a nice hike at an excellent park.

Number 3: Burgess Falls (January 25, 2019) -  While a short hike (around two miles) it
had a lot of bang for the buck.  The trail passes two falls the Upper Falls and the Middle Falls. In most parks, the 80 footers would be the main event but not at Burgess Falls State Park.  No that goes to the massive waterfall that gives the park its name. This 250-foot behemoth might be the most impressive waterfall I have visited. This hike might have been higher if I would have gotten to the base, but the stairs down got washed out by a flash flood. Still, Burgess Falls is one incredible waterfall.

Number 2:  Laurel Run Park (January 22, 2019) - No, Laurel Run Falls or any other
waterfall in this park can match the power or beauty of Burgess Falls. But this is a Top 5 Hikes, not waterfalls and this one comes in second for one reason...ice.  I did this one after a cold snap and because of this the main Cascade, Laurel Run Falls had plenty of ice. It was nothing compared to Kiner Creek Falls because it was shaded by the cliff it pours over was coated with ice. While beautiful, it made going under it treacherous.

Number 1: Rich Mountain (February 27, 2019) - Well, had to know this would be Number One as I wrote an entire entry just on the refurbished fire tower, so I said all I needed on the mountain sentinel. It was also the last hike of Winter, so you can say that I saved the best for last in m more ways than one. Anyway, this is a favorite hike of mine and with the improved fire tower just makes it even better. It is fitting that I closed WinterOutdoors with the top hike. Like I said above Rich Mountain was also the tallest peak too. Oh, and I got a coffee at Laurel Run Store...win, win and win!

Wood Booger Top 5: Favorite Coffee Places

Coffee...something that I came to love late in life, just about eight years ago. I had never cared much for it. That is until I discovered in Italy that I had been drinking it all wrong. After having some Italian espresso (in Italy) it was clear I liked my coffee strong and black. In recent time it has become my new vice. I will say in advance that the Top 3 are really close and on a given day any of the three could take the top spot. Anyway, I have favorite places to get coffee and here are my Top 5...

Honorable Mention #1: Pilot & Flying J Gas Stations - You, may ask Pilot? Yes, this is the best gas station coffee. The standard coffee is good, but what puts them ahead of the rest are these machines that freshly ground coffee to make your cup. It is why I have a Pilot Card.

Honorable Mention #2: Dunkin Donuts - When it comes to fast food coffee you can't beat Dunkin. While who has the better donut, between Dunkin and Krispy Kreme is up for debate there is none about the coffee...that goes to Dunkin. If you don't have a Dunkin, McDonald's is a good second.

Number 5: Open Doors Coffeehouse, Johnson City, TN - Open Door makes the list because another place I like in Johnson City closed. I have to admit the first time I went here I was unimpressed. But the second time I got a "Red Eye" one of the names for a coffee with a shot of espresso, my favorite. Have to say it was much better this time. I think I might try the nitro brewed coffee the next time I am in JC.

Number 4: Double D's Coffee & Desserts; Asheville, NC - This place. also known as the Coffee Bus, is in downtown Asheville and is housed in an English Double Decker Bus...hence both names. So, it gets points as a great setting, but the coffee here is pretty good too...good enough for fourth.

Number 1c: Coffee at the Kyle; Rogersville, TN - Now it is getting tough because there are days when Coffee on Kyle could be number one. When Miss B's closed with it was Rogersville best place to get coffee. But that all changed when I discovered a new coffee place had opened in the old Kyle House. Not only did the coffee here meet Miss B's standards but exceed them. The usually I get here is a "Red Eye," but they also have one of the areas best espressos too. Let me also mention the owner is nice and will talk coffee. The rest of the staff is great too. It is just a great place to relax and get an excellent cup of coffee.

Number 1b: Creamy Cup; Tusculum, TN - Here is another place I love...the Creamy Cup in Tusculum. It is located in a small drive-in location (but there is a walk-up window) across from the University. My "usually" here is called "a Shot in the Dark" but it is the same as a "Red Eye." The best thing about Creamy Cup is the rotating "feature roast" which is always a dark roast...it is always very good. I go here so often they know what I am going to order, they have a great crew. Like I said above there are days when it can't be beaten.

Number 1a: Laurel River Store; Hot Springs, NC - This gem in the North Carolina mountains outside of Hot Springs drew me in on one of my trips hiking in that direction. Like Coffee on Kyle, the Laurel River Store has an excellent espresso, which means a great "Shot in the Dark" ( that is what they call it here). Their regular coffee is fine too and, Sue, who runs it the days of have been there has been friendly and helpful. There is also a nice selection of local bakery good. I like this place so much I once detoured across "the Rattler" to go here. It is just a wonderful place for coffee.