Trail Review: Chimney Tops Trail, GSMNP

Trail: Chimney Tops Trail - GSMNP
Location: Great Smoky Mountains National Park; Newfound Gap Rd, TN
Trail Length: 3.8 miles round trip (out and back)
Difficulty: Strenuous (but short)
Solitude: Frequently crowded

The Chimney Tops trail is one of the more popular hikes in all of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This is for good reason. The trail packs a lot into only 1.9 miles (3.8 round trip.) One of those things is elevation gain. This trail meanders through some lower sections of the park and a few beautiful stream crossings before sending hikers practically straight up the mountain. The total elevation gain on this short trail is 1,487 feet. The trek ends at a rocky summit that offers panoramic views of the park. Or, if you don’t quite get to the VERY top of the summit like this author (more on that later), you still get great views. If you’re just passing through the park and don’t have a ton of time to explore, this trail is especially rewarding (I also recommend the Clingman’s Dome to Andrews Bald hike for those with limited time to explore the park.) Here’s a quick overview of the Chimney Tops trail and some more photographs.

10 Reasons Backpacking is WAY Awesomer Than Car Camping

Camping is awesome. Fresh air. Sitting around a fire. Sleeping under the stars. The soothing sounds of birds, frogs, and crickets interspersed with the monotonous industrial hum of RV generators powering flat screen televisions and portable speakers blaring pop country radio. Wait. That last part isn't so awesome. Sometimes a campground feels more like a temporary trailer park (because it is) than a nature experience, especially during the most crowded summer months. If you simply want to have a bonfire party in a public setting, car camping can still be awesome even amongst screaming kids, crappy stereos, and golf cart racers. If you want to chill out or have a more private party while genuinely enjoying the wilderness, there is no comparison between car camping and backpacking. The latter is way more awesomer. Here are 10 reasons why (though only one is needed - skinny dipping!):

Tenacious Tranquility

Well, it only seems appropriate that this blog's inaugural post would stem from my inaugural camping trip of 2013. I'm starting this blog to help document and reinforce my efforts to move towards a more simple and resourceful life. As I mention in other sections of this blog, spending time in nature and wilderness has been a big catalyst for starting my hippie-trippy journey towards a more meaningful life path (or call it my mid-life crisis journey if you prefer accuracy over poetry.)  This past weekend, my girlfriend, Kendra, and I packed up our gear, loaded our dogs, and spent one of the first beautiful weekends of the year at a nice state park less than an hour's drive from our homes in Nashville.  Due to cold winter weather and busy schedules, we hadn't found the time or energy to get out of the city for months. We needed the respite which became all too clear as I found myself working really, really hard to simply relax.