For peakbaggers or mountain connoisseurs, Mount Guyot in the smokies is a very significant mountain. At 6621 feet, it's the 2nd highest in the smokies and 4th highest in the eastern US, it's also an extremely remote peak and is a treacherous climb no matter what approach you take, usually 15-20 miles round trip plus a bushwhack. Which is why I would like to make a second ascent (did my first for the SB6K in May) and this time bring some tools to clean up the summit area.

The first pic is the current condition, a massive tree covers the rock cairn thats too heavy to simply toss aside, and the summit sign is completely missing. The second pic was pre-helene, a well packed in and flat summit, with a large rock cairn and a wooden sign. So, I would like to clear the main area of all deadfall, reconstruct the cairn, and hang or nail a wooden sign marking the summit into a tree (I also learned the NPS used to have a summit sign up back in the 80s that since got destroyed). I'm also thinking of bringing an old Nalgene bottle and putting a small notebook in there to serve as a summit log, since this peak is such a beast compared to most others in western NC. Would include date, route, and group members.

Thoughts on this? And would anyone like to join? I dont have any wood working skill but I'm sure I could carve out a simple sign, or just marker it in

That guy's cave post went over so well I thought I'd share some gold mine pictures. I don't want anyone to do anything unsafe so maybe don't stick your head in there?

Me and my wife will be driving through! We want to hike one of the other. Which should we do?

A buddy of mine expressed interest in camping, planning on taking him on a first overnight. Any suggestions for noobie trails with a view?

I don't wanna kill him or scare him off taking him on my usually trails.

Thanks in advance!

Edit: might be helpful to mention I'm in Greenville sc just over the border. My usual stomping grounds are Linville gorge and shining rock.

My stepson and I did a 13 mile hike this morning at the Birkhead Mountain Trail. It was very quiet and didn’t see anyone until we were just a few miles from getting back to our vehicle. My favorite part was the creek beds.

On the Robbin’s Branch Trail we came across about three large stone walls right off the path, I’m guessing they were built at some time to help with erosion but not sure. My stepson was really curious about them. We also found a large hoist cable right off the trail and it seemed like such an odd place for such a thing. There was a lot of quartz in that area and I thought maybe it was used for mining purposes a longtime ago. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

My wife and I have a backpacking trip planned Sat-Monday. Will be on popular trails and have reserved our backcountry campsites out near Bryson City. Forecast calls for rain Sunday, quarter of an inch, nightly temps in the 50s. We are beginner backpackers (~12 days spent backpacking, got into it in 2024). We have backpacked in warm rain but not cold rain.

Planning a loop beginning Saturday morning, camp, finish Sunday morning. Sunday grab lunch in Bryson City and head into another loop (Smokemont), camp Sunday night, finish up sometime Monday. So Sunday afternoon and night on Smokemont we will be hiking, setting up, and camping in the rain with temps in the 50s. We have a tent, sleeping bags, rain jackets, and will have some cool weather clothing. Will bring a couple extra changes of clothes to stay dry.

For those with experience - should we reconsider hiking and camping Sunday? Are we getting in over our heads with a cold rain variable or are we “good” as long as we have dry clothes and a warm sleeping bag. Are there concerns with creeks/rivers flooding with a quarter inch of rain or would be generally be “ok” at the provided campsites? We have the option to stay with family Sunday night instead and then do a day hike Monday after the rain ends.

Is this normal in North Carolina? The bagged shit is almost on every trail, even thrown into trees? What gives?

Taking hubby on his first backpacking trip in a couple weekends for 2 nights. We’re looking at the Birkhead Wilderness Area, specifically Tot Hill Farm access, possibly the Camp 3 loop. It sounds like there are ample campsites to choose from along the way.

Im wondering if anyone has been through the area lately, and can speak to the water access? Have the creeks recovered from the dry summer, or should we plan to pack in water? Any favorite campsites we should keep on our radar? We generally like a bit of privacy and don’t mind hiking a bit to get off the beaten path (and away from people)

Hey, im looking to do a fall backpacking trip with some of my XC team (10). I was originally planning to go out on the art loeb trail from black balsam to shining rock, however i learned you are not allowed to have fires in the wilderness. Could you please give me some suggestions for scenic fall foliage and trails that allow fires (even if only in designated pitts).

Pretty much the title. I'm looking to do it in 3 days, 2 nights either later this month or in the spring. I've only ever done small sections in dryer weather so any advice is helpful!

Hi everyone - I'm looking for advice on how to find car camping spots near Asheville. I'm not looking for people to share their secret spots, but just wondering how I can start my search. Where should I set my GPS to start with? And if I'm going on a Saturday in October, would I expect to find any open spots? TIA

Myself and a group of 3 other friends are going October 16-18 2026 to backpack Carvers Gap to Walnut Mountain trailhead, around 24 miles total. Going up Friday on the 16th, camping somewhere near the Carver's Gap trailhead and then getting up early and hitting the trail.

The plan is to hike to either Wilder Mountain Campsites or Apple House Campsites. Has anyone on here ever camped there and how was it?

According to Far Out, looked like plenty of piped springs and such as well. but plan on taking (2) 1.5L water bottles along with my water filter.

Any pointers on this route?

Doing this hike in 3 weeks- didn’t want to hijack the other thread:
Doing this 3 days/two nights- coming in noonish on Friday half day hike (6ish miles) to either chimneys or where trial to hawksbill split to camp night 1. Day two hike 10-12miles & camp. Then hike out 6ish miles. My questions:

1. How much water would you start with? Feedback I’ve seen is there are “no water sources” on the east side (chimneys side) but AllTrails shows tons. Is there water near table rock? Or the top curve on the ITAYG (near the turn by hawksbill- where I’m thinking to camp night 1). Trying to plan refills on day 1.
2. How concerned about water should I be along the west side(river side)? Looks plentiful but I have been fooled by this in the past at other places.
3. how’s parking at the Wolf Pit trailhead? Looks pretty small. What are other options if full? Are there better trailheads to start?

any camp spot advice for my planned itinerary? Should I change anything or reconsider any parts?
5.

1. any other tips for a noob to the area?

(Numbering got screwed up when I edited the post- doh!!)

Hey all! Just curious what y'alls favorite WNC fall hikes are. I do the BULK of my hiking in Oct/Nov just b/c of the cooler weather and the leaves, and after a number of years, realize that I'm falling back onto old favorites, rather than trying new spots, and just wondering if there are any hikes y'all specifically like taking during this time of year.

Thanks!

I haven't went hiking in a very long time. A friend from work who's very active in hiking in the mountains and myself went to Hanging Rock this past Sunday and did the 5 peak loop challenge. It was definitely a challenge for someone who hasn't hiked in the mountains in 25+ years. I feel like I was doing good until the last push up to Moores Knob, although very slow I kept pushing and finally made it. Went down to the visitor center to buy my 5 peak loop challenge patch but they were closed by the time we got back down to it 😥

Hi everyone! A friend and I are planning a 4-5 day backpacking trip through Pisgah National Forest and are looking for tips/suggestions on trails and campsites. We are both experienced campers (mostly through locations in the Upper and Lower peninsulas in Michigan), but have never backpacked in NC before. We're planning to go towards the end of October for some great fall views.

Looking for any and all advice to plan a great trip!

I'm a teacher and I'm taking a bunch of high school kids soon to morrow mountain on a field trip. We will be camping.

Any advice from people that have been there? This is my first time going.

Update: we are camping at the group sites and then hiking up.

My wife and I are pretty new to backpacking and want to start slow with some short overnight trips in Uwharrie. We already have most of the basic starter equipment (packs, tents, hammocks, sleeping gear, etc.), so we’re not starting completely from scratch. We also have plenty of front-country camping and hiking experience across the country.

We’re also on a pretty tight budget right now, so I’m mostly looking for advice on things like overnight food storage and what’s actually worth spending money on vs. what we can get away with on a budget.

For anyone who backpacks around Uwharrie or other parts of NC, what would you recommend for food storage for a simple overnight? And are there any pieces of gear you would say are worth saving up for rather than buying the cheapest option?

Also, any general tips or tricks for two people just getting started with backpacking in NC would be greatly appreciated! We’re basically trying to learn as we go without spending a fortune right out of the gate.

Fun event to volunteer and show support for runners and charity. Starts and ends at Revolution Mill, Greensboro.

I could upload so many more photos, it's so beautiful up there.

I did carvers gap to roan bluffs, then back and to grassy ridge bald, totaling to 13.7 miles

Also I found the off trail overlook known as colton's cliffs, really cool spot