High Knob Tower provides amazing views of surrounding mountains looking deep into Virginia and west to Kentucky. I took full advantage of camping nearby at Flag Rock Recreation Area - stopping in for multiple sunrises and sunsets. When visiting or passing through, it’s worth a quick stop.
Read MoreThis is a beautiful walk in the woods. While a short hike, there is some modest challenge in terms of elevation as you make your way around the lake below. If hiking in the summer, plan to share the area with swimmers at the beach and swimming area complete with bathhouses.
Read MoreThis is a fantastic lake loop with a ton of flora and fauna to see. Most notably, beavers! I spotted a pair of beavers on the hike and countless trees that fell victim to them. AND, I encountered a black bear! Fortunately, there was a big thicket of rhododendron between us, and I had my trusty bear spray at the ready just in case (I always carry this when hiking alone in bear country). Oh, and the lake is gorgeous - so there’s that!
Read MoreI have a rule. If there is an unmarked trail, check it out because odds are it’ll lead somewhere cool. This is the case here, as I passed a small pull-off with distinct trails when driving down to Little Stony Falls. This trail runs the ridge above the falls and comes to a point overlooking gorges in three directions. It is an EPIC view so don’t miss it!
Read MorePractically a drive-up hike, you won’t work up much of a sweat getting to Little Stony Falls - but you will be treated to a beautiful waterfall that even after extensive drought made for a perfectly serene morning. With rhododendron thickets in view of the falls, this hike would be at its best in summer when the blooms are out.
Read MoreThis is a nice, short hike around the uppermost of two reservoirs on the mountainside above Norton, Virginia. It’s a peaceful walk on wide, well maintained hiking trails with plenty of intersecting biking trails along its length. For those who enjoy fishing, it would appear plenty of trout can be found in these waters.
Read MoreThis is a fantastic hike. While I caught the falls in the midst of a drought, the views atop Pine Mountain more than made up for it. High Rock and Mars Rock are wonderful destinations on their own, with expansive views west. It’s also worth exploring near the falls along the cliff face moving northwest, but stopping at the rock formation that I’d call the “Dragon’s Mouth” pictured below.
Read MoreCloudsplitter 100 keeps getting better each year and now has a great partner in the City of Norton. This is among the more challenging ultramarathons in the region, and it keeps getting better year after year.
Read MoreI never thought a DNF could be so fun! In the inaugural running of Breaks 40, there were more DNFs than finishers with one aid station claiming a third of the field.
Read MoreCloudsplitter 100 is perhaps the best trail race in the region - and it was my first ultramarathon on Kentucky's Pine Mountain State Scenic Trail.
Read MorePine Mountain Trail offers glorious vistas and a great backpacking opportunity with challenging trails, excellent shelters every 8 to 12 miles, and plenty of wildlife - like the 5 black bears we saw on our hike.
Read MoreFinding peace and happiness on the trails of Kentucky.
