Author Archives: Bill Fuller
Backpacking Checklist
Here are the basics on what is in my backpack. This is list is variable and greatly depends on such things as weather, how many days I’m staying out, and the difficulty or remoteness of the trail. PRIMARY GEAR Backpack – I have acquired too many, but I currently use two more than the others. … Continue reading
Martins Creek Falls
Martins Creek Falls is a beautiful, small waterfall just outside of town limits in Erwin, Tennessee. It can be reached by a short hike, with the majority of walking being on a slightly ascending old forest road. This road used to stay open to high-clearance vehicles, but the gate has remained closed for a number … Continue reading
Hiking Blunders and How to Avoid Them
Bill Fuller • Column in the Johnson City Press. Jun 28, 2020 Press Article Here You’ve recently decided to go for a hike. You are not alone. The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many people to change their avenues of recreation. With current closures of various events and gatherings, trails are suddenly seeing record numbers of … Continue reading
Waterfalls of Dick Creek – Unaka Mountain
The Dick Creek watershed sits on the northwest face of Unaka Mountain near Erwin, Tennessee. There are two ways to access this remote region. One is from the Limestone Cove area, and the other is from Rock Creek Park. I chose to hike in from the Rock Creek side. There are four waterfalls along the … Continue reading
Sill Branch Falls
Sill Branch Falls is located in the scenic Clark’s Creek area of Unicoi County, Tennessee just off of State Route 81/107 West. With a round-trip of just over a mile, this is a wonderful trek for families and beginners to one of the most stunning waterfalls in our region. This hike is a little uphill … Continue reading
New Photography Page
I’ve recently added a photography page to the blog. Enjoy!
Flint Rock – Holston Mountain Lookout Tower
Holston Mountain is one of our most recognized mountain ridgelines in the east TN/southwest VA area as it spans approximately 28 miles from Elizabethton, Tennessee to Damascus, Virginia. It’s the prominent mountain visible while looking south on most of the I-81 corridor from the Tri-Cities to Abingdon. The highpoint of the mountain is Holston High … Continue reading
Laurel Fork Trail
The Laurel Fork Trail is located just upstream from the very popular trek on the Appalachian Trail to Laurel Falls. Designated as Cherokee National Forest Trail #39 this hike, however, is much more secluded, adventurous, and extremely remote. It requires numerous and often difficult stream fords, deep and muddy areas dammed up by beavers, some … Continue reading
Grayson Highlands Backpacking: A.T./Pine Mountain Loop
This is a loop hike in the Grayson Highlands that I tend to do about once per year, so I’ve posted it a couple times before, but not with all the snowy conditions that I experienced this time. My daughter Taylor and her boyfriend Cameron joined me over their spring break around the end of March. And … Continue reading
Iron Mtn Backpacking: TN91 to Wilbur Dam Road
I finished up a small section of Appalachian Trail that I had not completed before, covering the Iron Mountain ridgeline from TN91 to Wilburn Dam Road. This was a southbound 16 mile hike, spending one night. About 3 miles into the hike my first stop was the Nick Grindstaff Monument. This is very eerie place with … Continue reading