We had 7 days (including 2 travel days) to hike in the Great Smoky Mountains and do all the touristy things in Gatlinburg. I have summarized our 7-day Gatlinburg, TN itinerary in this blog post. If you are planning a trip to Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountains, hopefully this will give you some great ideas!
Our First Hike in California [12/24/2022]
The weekend before the heavy, long lasting rainy weather started, we went on our first hike in California! We decided to hike to Pincushion Peak.
Flat Top Mountain: Foggy Hike to the Tallest Peak of Otter [06/07/2022]
There was something special about this hike. At first, I thought it was not going to be very fun. We had a hard time finding the trailhead to Flat Top Mountain. It was rainy and cloudy. The temperatures were chilly, and of course I did not wear appropriate layers for rainy and (somewhat) cold weather conditions. I had to hit up the Peaks of Otter gift shop to buy myself sweater (and so did Vikas). Our negative attitudes changed midway through the hike. But how?
Old Rag: Our Favorite Hike in All of Virginia [06/20/2022]
Old Rag Mountain is our favorite hike in all of Virginia! We went of a Monday afternoon in the summer. Surprisingly, it was not very crowded. We had the best time hiking and rock scrambling to reach the summit of Old Rag!
Hawksbill Summit: Hiking to the Highest Peak in Shenandoah National Park & Watching Sunset [04/24/2022 & 06/03/2022]
We hiked to Hawksbill Summit which is the highest peak in Shenandoah National Park and also one of the best spots to watch sunrise in Virginia.
Sharp Top & Buzzard’s Roost: The Best Hike of the Three Peaks of Otter [06/06/2022]
Most of me and my husband’s favorite hikes we did in Virginia are located in the Shenandoah National Park. However, there is the Jefferson National Forest which is home to one of our top 5 favorite hikes in Virginia – Sharp Top Mountain. Sharp Top is very popular and is known as the best hike of the three Peaks of Otter.
Mary’s Rock: This Trail Blew Us Away [07/18/2022]
According to one article I read, Mary’s Rock is not as popular as other spots in Shenandoah National Park, but when we went, it was one of the more crowded trails we’ve been on! Not overly crowded I’d say, but still quite busy. The beginning of this hike was so beautiful. So many small overlooks and openings with beautiful views. The trail was well-maintained and so full of greenery! It was a spectacular hike up to Mary’s Rock.
Jones Run-Doyles River Loop: My First Ever Solo Hike [04/16/2022]
Surprisingly, the Jones Run-Doyles River Loop trail was my first ever solo hike. It’s so crazy to me that I have never been on a solo hike before seeing as how I grew up my hiking with my family on our annual (sometimes bi-annual) vacations to the mountains and going to college in the mountains of North Carolina. I guess I always liked the company of someone being with me.
Rose River Falls and Dark Hollow Falls: Quality Time with My Parents [04/23/2022]
I’m actually typing this blog post over a year later, but from what I remember, my parents and I had a great time hiking to Rose River Falls and Dark Hollow Falls! It was well-maintained, not too challenging (e.g. family friendly), and an overall beautiful hike. The waterfalls were flowing quite nicely. Even though Dark Hollow Falls seems to be the most popular waterfall out of the two and slightly taller, I personally liked Rose River Falls better. Maybe because it was less crowded.
Cedar Run and Whiteoak Canyon: Our First Hike Together But We Get Lost [05/09/2022]
The Cedar Run and Whiteoak Canyon Loop was me and my husband’s (then boyfriend) first hike together! I was very much into hiking since I was a little kid, and he had been on a few hikes before. But this 8-mile hike to see a total of 8 waterfalls was the longest hike my husband has ever done. He was very excited for this adventure, and so was I!