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  1. #1
    TallPaul's Avatar
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    Southeast High Peaks and Waterfalls route

    Sometimes coming up with a trail for backpacking can be half the fun. Getting the maps out or looking at CalTopo or the HikingProject website... I get a kick out of it.

    I was thinking about hitting some of the MST I skipped over last year.
    Then I got looking at other trails in the area I was interested in... the Southern Appalachian Loop Trail,
    https://www.blueridgeoutdoors.com/go...t-reality/amp/
    which was featured in Blue Ridge Outdoors magazine a few years ago. It combines the Foothills/Bartram/AT/Art Loeb and some other trails to make a loop.

    I also saw a video Neemor (a thru hiker with videos on YouTube) did awhile back on the High Country Loop, which combines the Black Mountain Crest trail, Roan Highlands, Grandfather Mountain, Wilson Creek and Linville Gorge via the MST.
    http://wacphotography.com/the-high-country-loop/. Neemor said some of that terrain was the hardest he’s hiked.

    Anyway I laid all that out on CalTopo and came up with the following route, starting at the Foothills trail and ending in Linville Gorge (or further back to Mt Mitchell). It hits the highest peaks in SC, TN and NC. And some great waterfall areas - Foothills trail area and Wilson Creek. Plus a lot of other balds / high elevation areas - Wayah and Wesser Balds; Shining Rock; Grandfather Mountain:; and Linville Gorge
    I’m not claiming this is anything unique... just borrowing bits and pieces that others put together.
    Thought I’d share it here in case anybody needs a 500+ mile trail to walk.


  2. #2
    STinGa's Avatar
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    Wow! Nice route. I just need to find time to escape work and hit the trail.
    Sarcasm is a dying art.

    Eagle Scout September '85 Troop 339 Smyrna, TN

  3. #3
    TallPaul's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by STinGa View Post
    Wow! Nice route. I just need to find time to escape work and hit the trail.
    Seems like it would be a fun route. Lots into see and towns along the way to resupply in.

  4. #4
    TallPaul's Avatar
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    Anybody out there done the Bartram Trail or parts of it? That’s my biggest unknown. Course I’ve not set foot on the Foothills trail but there’s plenty of info out there on that one.

    I found this blog that mentioned the trail was once voted as the #1 long distance trail for solitude.

    https://www.thehikinglife.com/2017/0...packing-guide/

  5. #5
    Senior Member sidneyhornblower's Avatar
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    Bookmarking this for future reference. It's an ambitious undertaking, both the laying out of the route AND walking it. Good one to ponder, so thanks.
    "...the height of hammock snobbery!"

  6. #6
    TallPaul's Avatar
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    Some additional research on the high peaks either on or near this route.

    You would be over half way of completing the 6k challenge in the southeast by doing this route.



  7. #7
    TallPaul's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by sidneyhornblower View Post
    Bookmarking this for future reference. It's an ambitious undertaking, both the laying out of the route AND walking it. Good one to ponder, so thanks.
    Good meeting you out on the trail!
    I had to get off trail for some personal business but hope to be back on soon. Hope you enjoyed the Foothills Trail.

  8. #8
    Senior Member sidneyhornblower's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by TallPaul View Post
    Good meeting you out on the trail!
    I had to get off trail for some personal business but hope to be back on soon. Hope you enjoyed the Foothills Trail.
    We finished up yesterday, blistered feet and all. I'll toss out a photo down below.

    It was a pleasure and a surprise to meet you on the trail like that. That encounter may make it into a video someday. And then to find you hiking with Artie, who I also know from real life, what are the odds? What a cool unplanned meet-up.

    FHT_victory_lap.jpg
    "...the height of hammock snobbery!"

  9. #9
    TallPaul's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by sidneyhornblower View Post
    We finished up yesterday, blistered feet and all. I'll toss out a photo down below.

    It was a pleasure and a surprise to meet you on the trail like that. That encounter may make it into a video someday. And then to find you hiking with Artie, who I also know from real life, what are the odds? What a cool unplanned meet-up.

    FHT_victory_lap.jpg
    Glad you all made it out ok.
    Did you get any thunderstorms/ winds the last couple days?

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