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.
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