wildflowers

Siler Bald via the AT

Highlights: grassy summit, views, fall foliage, Appalachian Trail, Nantahala National Forest Distance:  3.6 mile out and back Elevation change:  1,000 feet Difficulty level: Moderate Trailhead Parking: Wayah Gap picnic area on Wayah Road, about 14 miles west of Franklin NC Website: AllTrails Beer Pairings: Lazy Hiker Brewing: Springer Fever pilsner and 20 Mile IPA The […]

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Twin Arches and Slave Falls Loop

Highlights: sandstone arches, waterfall, cliffs, forest, wildlife Distance:  14.1 mile loop Elevation change:  2,035 feet Difficulty level: Difficult Trailhead Parking: Twin Arches Road, Great South Fork National Recreation Area, Jamestown TN; see link below for more information.   Website: National Park Service Beer Pairings: Wiseacre Brewing Company, Tiny Bomb pilsner & Ananda IPA The Hike:

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Max Patch

Highlights: mountain views, bald summit, Appalachian Trail Distance:  1.5 mile loop Elevation change:  288 feet Difficulty level: Easy Trailhead Parking: NC State Route 1182 near Hot Springs NC. See link below for directions. The parking area is small with room for about 15 vehicles. Website: US Forest Service Beer Pairings: Wicked Weed Brewing Pernicious IPA

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Crabtree Falls (Virginia)

Highlights: Highest waterfalls east of the Mississippi, classic Virginia bucket list hike  Distance: 4 mile out and back Elevation change:  1,070 feet Difficulty level: Moderate/strenuous Trailhead Parking: Crabtree Falls day use parking area, off state route 56 in Nelson county VA. $3 parking fee. Website: US Forest Service Beer Pairings: Blue Mountain Native Species pale

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Chestnut Knob

Highlights: Burke’s Garden, views, bald summit, Appalachian Trail Distance:  4.2 mile out and back Elevation change:  1,400 feet Difficulty level: Strenuous Trailhead Parking: From Burke’s Garden General Store on route 623, continue south east for 1.1 miles. Turn left on route 727 and follow for 4 miles until the road becomes a one lane dirt

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Black Balsam Knob, Tennent Mountain, and Ivestor Gap Loop

Highlights: mountain views, bald summit, wild flowers in spring Distance:  4.6 mile loop Elevation change:  700 feet Difficulty level: Moderate Trailhead Parking: Blue Ridge Parkway mile 420, turn right on Black Balsam Road/Forest Road 816 and drive 1.2 miles to the trailhead Website: US Forest Service Beer Pairings: Green Man Brewery-Green Man IPA & Green

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