Grayson Highlands in Pictures

Feature picture depicting first light of a new day in Grayson Highlands.

During my last trip to Grayson Highlands, I camped at one of the highest elevation campsites around the entire park. Better still, this campsite provided me with some stunning 360-degree views of the surrounding mountains. Glorious. But if those panoramic views were a serious sight to behold. Well then, you should’ve seen the breathtaking sunset … Read more

Grayson Highlands Backpacking: The Attack of the Wild Ponies

Grayson Highlands Backpacking feature picture of wild pony.

I’m very familiar with backpacking Grayson Highlands in Southwest Virginia. More so than most people. That’s a fact. Simply because I usually backpack Grayson Highlands about two to five times per year. Moreover, I’ve been backpacking Grayson Highlands, like this, for several years now. So I know the trails, campsites, locations of most of the … Read more

The Grayson Highlands Backpacking Dream

The Grayson Highlands Backpacking Dream

The Grayson Highlands Backpacking Dream? Yeah, well, what’s that? I can explain. Easy. First, when you backpack Grayson Highlands, you’re living the dream. Right from the very moment when you step out of your car and breathe in that fresh pine scented mountain air. Already, it’s restoring your soul. Teaching you things, if you’ll listen. … Read more

Sam’s Gap to 19E: A Hiking Horror Story

A Hiking Horror Story

So section hiking Sam’s Gap to 19E on the Appalachian Trail. I bet you want to know what it’s like… Well, I suppose that I could tell you exactly what you’d discover on this scenic and isolated part of the A.T. However, my 75-mile section hike through this remote region was rather strange, scary, and … Read more

Surviving A Close Encounter With A Bear

Surviving A Close Encounter With A Bear

This article is all about what you should do if you ever have a close encounter with a bear in the great outdoors. And more specifically, what you can do to stay alive in that situation. That said, I’m no bear expert. But I’ve had LOTS of close encounters with black bears in my life. … Read more

My Luxury Lightweight Backpacking Gear List

My Luxury Lightweight Gear List

So do you want to lighten up your backpacking load? I have some experience doing this. But I’m not an ultralight backpacker. Nor am I an Appalachian Trail thru hiker. So I don’t count ounces, or even grams, when I’m backpacking. But I am a guy who likes to continually lighten up my base weight, … Read more

Grayson Highlands: How To See The Wild Ponies

Wild ponies grazing in a field at sunset.

So how can I see the wild ponies in Grayson Highlands? That, of course, is the most common question that I’ve been asked whenever I’ve backpacked in Grayson Highlands State Park. And this last time that I visited the park in the late summer and early fall of 2021, it was no different. As lots … Read more

A Quick Guide To Hiking Buffalo Mountain

Tip Top Buffalo Mountain in Snow

So here’s my quick guide to hiking Buffalo Mountain near my home in the Tri-Cities area of Northeast TN. In it, I’ll explain the reasons why I enjoy hiking this mountain so much. I’ll share with you some local tips for hiking this fine mountain. And finally, I’ll leave you with some directions and advise … Read more

Backpacking Grayson Highlands: 7 Tips For Your Trip

Grayson Highlands foal lying in bed of moss.

So you want to come to Southwest Virginia to backpack Grayson Highlands State Park? Why? To see the wild ponies the park is famous for. Of course. Or maybe you just want to day hike it. After all, it’s supposed to be one of the best hiking areas in the country. Then, there’s the gorgeous … Read more

Roan Mountain. Best day hike ever? Possibly.

Visiting Tennessee: When I first came to Johnson City, TN, prospecting for a new town to live in, I’d heard of Roan Mountain but I’d never hiked it. With all the buzz surrounding it, I thought it might be just another overhyped tourist attraction. So when I was in the neighborhood, I never visited the … Read more