New Year's Laurel River Lake

 1/1 - 1/2/23

Laurel River Lake

Nice weather, my wife suggested that I spend the night in the woods. I planned on going one place and when I got to the trailhead there were about 10 cars. I wasn't interested in camping near a bunch of people and I figured that at least some of those people were going to be where I was planning on staying. So, I decided to head to Laurel River Lake. I knew I'd be able to see the sunset/sunrise and the lake is always pretty.

all cell phone pics

I walked along the lakeshore for a bit and found a place to setup camp.

Looks like there is some potential for a nice sunset

It started out nicely ...

... and kept going

Then the stars started to come out

Orion coming up in the east

Venus?

Cloudy morning, no sunrise

A short trip, but a nice way to start the new year

Solstice in the Smokies

Cosby Trailhead (GSMNP)

12/19 - 12/21/22 (2 nights)
2022 Bag Nights: 27
All cell phone photos

Gabes Mountain Trail to Hen Wallow Falls and then Site 34

A couple groups of dayhikes near the falls, but not many people for such a nice day. 

Site 34 is a nice place for the night, the sites are spread out down the creek, probably very popular if it is not winter. 

Day 2: Maddron Bald Trail to Site 29

I had been planning on staying at the Cosby Knob Shelter on the AT. I could have made it, but not sure I would have been functioning the next day. So, I called an audible and stopped short. Site 29 was also nice but much more open, it would feel crowded to share with another group.

Woke to a beautiful day, but weather is rolling in. My legs don't want to do the climb up to the ridge, so I decided to head to the car a day early. So up to Snake Den Ridge Trail and then down to the car. 

Old cemetery near Cosby

Seneca Creek w/kids

7/19 - 7/22/22 (3 nights)

2022 Bag Nights: 18
Seneca Creek, West Virginia

All cell phone photos

I met my brother-in-law and his wife and kids for our sorta annual backpacking trip. We decided to check out the Seneca Creek area instead of going back to the Dolly Sods.

We met at Spruce Knob, the highest point in WV. There is a lookout tower that provides great views. 

Lots of flowers on the short hike to the lookout tower.

Five kids ready to hike

Seneca Creek down below

Seneca Creek

We finished at the Seneca Creek Trailhead and planned on walking the road back to the cars, but we were able to hitch a ride with a woman who had just finished up a trail work trip, so we did not have to walk the couple miles back to the car. 

Great weather and the kids had fun with their cousins, so a great trip