Who are we?
This blog was started by a couple of reformed-flatlander super friends named Beth and Shawn, who met in Charlotte, NC, after relocating from different parts of the country. Beth recently moved 3 hours west of Charlotte to East Tennessee, expanding our hiking range to the Smokies.
Hiking blogs have been an amazing source of information for us. We hope that posting our experiences will help you navigate hiking gems in the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains.
Hikers like us are…
• Dayhikers who log 5-16 miles per trip.
• Map-watchers: we purchase maps where available, print them from the internet before we bounce, and take photos of map boards on site.
• Respectful of nature and appreciative of trails and the groups who build them. We leave no trace and pay trail fees.
• Usually enjoying hikes in Western North Carolina and East Tennessee.
What we’re serious about:
• Staying on the trail to preserve nature for others.
• Not touching or feeding wildlife. Keep wildlife wild! A fed bear is a dead bear, and a wild pony that loves human attention is more likely to starve in winter or get caught in a round-up.
• OVERPREPARING: using maps, having plenty of snacks and water, and deciding out loud on “bingo” (turnaround point) at the start of each hike so we’re off the trail before dark.
Shawn and Beth say, “Watch out for et ol’ Sneaky Snake!”
Blue Ridge Dayhiking 
My hiking philosophy is completely in line with yours! I am also located in Charlotte, perhaps I will run across you two on a trail someday 🙂 I am looking forward to reading about all your hikes.
Thank you, and back at you, if we haven’t seen you already!
Hello! Just ran across your site today! Please tell me you two have hiked Mount LeConte! You would love it! and don’t bother to do the lower falls at Stone Mtn.! Wolf Rock/ Cedar Rock are the best kept secret at Stone Mtn! The 4 mile Stone Mountain loop trail has been ruined with platforms and stairs, and hikers want to be on the mountain! So disgusted with “improvements to trail” ! Check out “The Jumpoff”. It’s a lovely trail, with killer view! And on the day you hike it, you must hike on over to Charlie’s Bunion. More incredible views!! Google them. You’ll find them! Just a few-4 hours from Charlotte, in the Gatlinburg area. You can stay in a little private cabin up on the mountain for about $125 a night, and see some amazing views and maybe even a bear!! Lots of fun in the Smokies!
Yeah, we were bummed about the stairs and extra people on the Stone Loop after the “improvements.” Thank you for your suggestions! We don’t usually get as far west as the Smokies because of the drive time, but one of us has done Mount LeConte and the other plans to check it out soon because that mountain has lots of great trails. The Jumpoff and Charlie’s Bunion aren’t even familiar sounding. Will be googling!
I am enjoying your blog. I am also in Charlotte and blog about hiking with my dog, Lucy. I have been to a lot of the trails you have posted about, but you also have some on here that I want to try soon. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for your comment! We’re always trying new trails within about 3 hours of Charlotte but get a little behind in posting about all of them, so please keep checking back. Also let us know about any trails you like around here that you think we may have missed!
If you ever do go hiking with them, they’ll even share their extra socks when the ice breaks and your foot gets wet. I would know.