Jess FischerExplorer

Starting from the Carver Gap Parking area (do not leave belongings visible in your vehicle) head North on the Appalachian Trail (cross the road and head up the hill past the kiosk). Stay on the Appalachian Trail for 5.5 miles climbing across open balds and treking through forests and wildflower patches. You will come to an intersection where you'll notice a lot of little signs; this is Yellow M...

Park at the Graves Mill Parking Area. From here you can easily follow the Rapidan River up the mountain. Fishing reports inform that the lowest concentration of brookies are at the lower boundaries of the park so take some time to enjoy the trail and hike up stream. At the lower boundaries you might hook a Brown Trout

Glanni Waterfall is in the western region of Iceland right off the main Ring Road. It's the perfect place to get out and stretch your legs for a quick 15 minutes.Starting at the parking area, walk towards the signs with hiking trail directions (to the right). From here you'll see a maintained gravel path heading to the right. Walk down this path for a couple hundred feet before turning left (yo...

Fall Creek Falls State Park is home to multiple waterfalls. The main attraction and biggest waterfall, Fall Creek Falls, is often tourists' main destination, but I encourage you to visit the base of Rockhouse Falls and Cane Creek Falls to enjoy some quiet solitude and get away from the usual weekend crowds. This hike is not for small children, pets, or any individual who cannot lift or hold the...

The AT from Carver's Gap to HWY 19 is about 14.5 miles, but with side adventures, it could be roughly 20 miles. The trail crosses the road and continues up about a 400 ft. elevation gain to the first of the balds. This section of the AT is beautiful at near 6000 ft. above sea level and you will get a great view of Roan Mountain. You can take some pictures at Round Bald and up to Jane Bald, givi...

Park at the Looking Glass Rock Overlook. After enjoying the view of Looking Glass Rock, gear up and head to the right side of the parking area (right side if your back is to the overlook). On the opposite side of the road you'll see a mile marker and a little trail to the left of the marker. Follow this trail for a mile and you'll arrive at Skinny Dip Falls! You can keep hiking up and around th...

In order to go when the Rhododendron are blooming you'll need to aim for the first three weeks of June.  Starting from the Massies Gap parking area in the Grayson Highlands State Park, follow the trail through the field and towards the base of a large hill. You will see a fence that runs along the base of the hill with a gate right in the center. Go through this gate and follow the winding tra...

Starting at the parking area, cross the dirt road to start hiking up from the Top Spur Trailhead. In 0.4 miles you will reach the Pacific Crest Trail intersection, take a right onto the Pacific Crest Trail. In a couple hundred feet you will reach a larger intersection of a bunch of different trails and there will be a wooden kiosk with information about the area. At this point take the trail to...

From the parking area, follow the trail from the back of the parking area. Very quickly you will hike up to a trail register. The trail is mostly flat with a few inclines and is very well beaten. There are also yellow plastic trail markers to keep you on track. After 1.4 miles you'll reach the junction of the Lost Pond Loop Trail. From this point you can either go straight and hike down to the ...