Iron Mtn Backpacking: TN91 to Wilbur Dam Road

Posted on September 22, 2012 by Bill Fuller

Bill at Nick Grindstaff Monument

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 a unique story…

Nick Grindstaff was born in 1851.  At the age of three he was orphaned.  Rumor has it that he later moved out west where he was robbed and severely beaten, along with suffering other financial difficulties.  He soon returned to Tennessee where he lived out the final 45 years of his life in total solitude (except for his dog “Panter”) in a very small cabin on Iron Mountain.  Supposedly, in 1923 a man went to visit Nick and found him dead in his cabin.  Some stories say that Panter watched over Nick’s dead body for days and had to be overpowered and tied to a tree so that his body could be buried.  Other stories say that Panter had to be killed and was buried alongside Nick in the chimney-shaped grave, which was once his cabin’s brick fireplace.  To this day many hikers that camp near this area report the spine-chilling howls of a dog late at night.  A few years ago I also had a scary encounter with dog near this very spot. Read more »

Categories: Apalachian Trail, Backpacking, Historical, Lakes, Vistas | Tags: , , | 6 Comments

Rocky Fork Backpacking

Posted on January 15, 2012 by Bill Fuller

Located along the TN/NC border in Unicoi County, TN is the newly purchased U.S. Forest Service property known as Rocky Fork.  This 10,000 acre tract is very rugged, with unmarked trails and very limited trail maps.  My good friend Jimmy Humston and I decided to do some exploring along the northern-most sections of the tract with our ultimate goal being “Buzzard Rock”… a wonderful, but extremely well-earned vista at 4,600′ elevation that overlooks the majority of the property. Read more »

Categories: Backpacking, Lakes, Vistas, Waterfalls | Tags: , , , , | 3 Comments

Dennis Cove Falls

Posted on December 8, 2011 by Bill Fuller

Upper Dennis Cove Falls

If you’re looking for a beautiful and adventurous hike, then check out out upper and lower Dennis Cove Falls in the Dennis Cove Recreational area.  This hike is not overly strenuous and the trail is well-marked, but it does require three creek crossings that can range from moderate to extremely dangerous… depending upon the water level in the Laurel Fork stream.  Staying dry can be a challenge. Read more »

Categories: Day-hike, Waterfalls | Tags: , | 1 Comment

White Rocks and Sand Cave (Cumberland Gap)

Posted on October 1, 2011 by Bill Fuller

On Top of the White Rocks Cliff

Near the Cumberland Gap, and located on the long Cumberland Mountain ridgeline, are two awesome formations known as White Rocks and Sand Cave.  Both of these can be visited in the same day with a strenuous, ~9 mile hike within the Cumberland Gap National Historic Park from the trailhead in the Thomas Walker Civic Park.  This is a tough hike with about 1700 feet in elevation gain, but the trails are well maintained and contain lots of switchbacks that make the climbing a little easier.

I decided to make a loop out of the hike, visiting Sand Cave first and then heading down the ridge to White Rocks.  If you use my route, review the trail directions below carefully.  The trails are in good shape and have signage at trail junctions, but they aren’t blazed, and  I found some of the sign posts uprooted, which could leave you a little unsure at times. Read more »

Categories: Day-hike, Historical, Rock Formations, Vistas | Tags: , , , | 13 Comments

Watauga Dam

Posted on September 21, 2011 by Bill Fuller

Watauga Dam Vista

Watauga Dam was completed in 1949 by the Tennessee Valley Authority, creating a very beautiful lake at 2000′ elevation.  At the time of its construction, it was the highest elevation earthen dam in the world, and  today it still remains as the highest in the eastern United States.  What makes this area so picturesque is that much of the lake is surrounded by National Forest and the towering ridgelines of Iron and Pond mountains. Read more »

Categories: Apalachian Trail, Day-hike, Historical, Lakes, Vistas | Tags: , | 2 Comments

Whitetop Mountain & Buzzard Rock

Posted on September 11, 2011 by Bill Fuller

Buzzard Rock

Whitetop Mountain is the State of Virginia’s second highest peak at 5525′, along with having the highest maintained road in the state.  You can make this a very short and easy day-hike by taking this road all the way to the top of the mountain, but I decided to climb it on foot instead… starting at highway US600 at Elk Garden and heading south on the Appalachian Trail. Read more »

Categories: Apalachian Trail, Day-hike, Rock Formations, Summits, Vistas | Tags: , , | 14 Comments

Rocky Fork to Birchfield Camp Lake – Mtn Bike

Posted on August 21, 2011 by Bill Fuller

Rocky Fork Trio Waterfall

A few months ago I found Birchfield Camp Lake (elevation 4000′) in the Rocky Fork Tract via the Higgins Creek route.   This time I decided to see if I could find it coming in from the main gate at Rocky Fork.  This is a longer route, and since my knee is still tender, I decided to give it a try on the mountain bike. Read more »

Categories: Day-hike, Lakes, Mountain Biking, Waterfalls | Tags: , , | 2 Comments

Grassy Ridge

Posted on July 9, 2011 by Bill Fuller

Sunrise from Jane Bald

Grassy Ridge is a prominent peak in the Roan Highlands sitting at 6180 feet in elevation.  This expansive Southern Appalachian Bald offers 360 degree, unobstructed views, which are undoubtedly some of the best in the eastern U.S.  This is also the highpoint of Avery County, NC.

I left the house very early in the morning and arrived at Carver’s Gap around 5:00 a.m.  I hiked by headlamp for the first mile, crossing the summits of Round Bald and Jane Bald, where I stopped to set up my photography equipment.  This happens to be my favorite spot for capturing sunrises in the east, and this morning’s sunrise did not disappoint me… Read more »

Categories: Apalachian Trail, Day-hike, NC County Highpoint, Rock Formations, Summits, Vistas, Wildflowers | Tags: , , , , | 6 Comments

Grayson Highlands State Park – Rhododendron Trail

Posted on June 25, 2011 by Bill Fuller

Dad Taking Photos on the Appalachian Trail Near Massie Gap

First, I want to apologize for the lack of posts lately.  I went on a 4-day backpacking trip about a month ago and injured my knee, so I haven’t been out much since that trip.  I hope it is healing up so I can get back out on some longer hikes very soon.

I’ve made it a little tradition to go hiking with my dad on Father’s Day for the past few years, and this year we decided to drive up to the Grayson Highlands State Park in southwest Virgina and hike up to the A.T. from Massie Gap.  Dad had never seen the feral ponies in this area, so I figured Massie Gap would be the best chance of that. Read more »

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Bailey Falls

Posted on May 22, 2011 by Bill Fuller

Bailey Falls

This is a continuation to the Margarette Falls hike posted a few days ago…

The Margarette Falls hike is very easy and great for families and beginners, however if you want to be more adventurous you can continue on upstream from Margarette to the very unique, grotto-like waterfall known as Bailey Falls.  This is NOT an easy hike.

You must first climb the VERY steep embankment to the right of Margarette Falls.  The trail here is very faint.  Once you reach the top you must work your way through the underbrush back toward the stream.  Then, just follow the stream as best you can for a couple tenths of a mile… climbing over numerous boulders, fording in certain places, and sometimes just walking up the middle of the stream.   Plan on getting wet. Read more »

Categories: Day-hike, Waterfalls, Wildflowers | Tags: | Leave a comment