The Slow and Steady Hiker

Hike to Hemlock Falls at Moccasin Creek State Park followed by a little swing time overlooking Lake Burton. This is a lovely trail that mostly follows the creek and there were a number of impressive, full Cascades before the falls as a result of recent rain.

The hike to Moore Cove Falls is a 1.4 mile round trip hike in the Pisgah National Forest. After a lot of rain the area was alive with snails, mushrooms and a good flow of the falls.

While driving the Blue Ridge Parkway to Brevard I couldn't resist a little hike to Skinny Dip Falls and to visit one of my favorite trees, known as the Dragon Tree. Part of the Mountain to Sea (MST) North Carolina's 1,175 mile trail from the Smoky mountains to the Outer Banks. Skinny Dip Falls exists now in an altered form as it was significantly changed by Tropical Storm Fred in 2021.

The Blue Ridge Parkway is a pilgrimage all Americans should take. It has views, trails, waterfalls, wildlife and flowers, and in the fall you can enjoy the changing colors. Right now we are getting rain so there are a lot of seasonal little falls coming down rocks and the views may be there or you may be completely encased in the clouds. Either way, it's worth it.

Iron Hill Trail at Red Top Mountain State park is a fairly flat and wide four mile loop with lovely views of Lake Allatoona. It has something to offer in all seasons..

On Saturday I hiked to Licklog and Pigpen Falls on the South Carolina Foothills trail, which is about a two mile round trip hike through lovely woodland that you can continue on to the Chatooga River. There was still Trillium blooming along the trail and the heavy tree canopy allowed some light to reach some of the ferns alongside the path.