I've watched this at least a handful of times now...very well done my friend. Thank you again for sharing your time and experiences...hope we can do it again!
This was some hard-earned miles, so made for some early nights :-). But yes, beautiful area whether it's views of the gorge or amazing stream crossings. Highly recommended!
@@kennethclapp9713 The first time I did Segment 4 I ended at Pisgah Inn in the late afternoon. We ordered two bacon burgers and fries and ate them while sitting in their rocking chairs. Can't beat that! Segment 2 is probably top of my list because of the Middle Prong Wilderness Area (I also did a side trail and watched the sunset from Sams Knob and camped near the bottom). Segment 4 is almost even. Segment 5 is next in line just because I found it very peaceful and very easy hiking (comparatively). I've yet to do any serious miles East of Raleigh, so I'm holding out for the Croatan NF area to be high on the list as well.
Just make sure you do the Coastal Region in the early winter to the early spring or you’ll be a big buffet lol. That’s why I chose east to west starting the 1st of April. I avoided most of the insects and had relatively the same temps all the way to Clingman’s Dome
I watched this in full earlier and had to come back and find it on my computer just so that I could say how great this hike looked. I've never really considered doing any of the MST before watching this but man those views and the forest look amazing. Awesome vid, Mark.
That's a serious compliment from you! I had truly intended on filming more, but with good company and hard miles it was easier just to relax over camp dinner, hop in the hammock and go to sleep. The MST is amazingly diverse. Segment 4's highlights are Dobson's Knob, Linville Gorge and then the Harper and Steel creeks. I strongly recommend each of them depending on what kind of challenge you're looking for. All in all Segments 2, 4 and 5 are my favorite. I've done those three sections multiple times and still look forward to them again in the future.
Such a great section. And smart man skipping the climb up Dobson :). Well it does have great views going up that trail. I felt that laying down on the trail at 13:05. Y’all did some tough miles and those guys look like they’ve got their trail legs and then some. Really enjoyed the vid.
Unfortunately I had to work so couldn’t join the guys earlier for the hike up to Dobson’s Knob. It has pretty cool views, but you definitely have to earn them. Each night the guys said they were tired, but I think it was just to make me feel better. They’re doing the JMT next month and this was a prep hike. I’m positive they’ll do great. Thanks for watching! Glad you got something out of it. I was so tired each night I didn’t know if it was a worthwhile video to other people or not.
Surprisingly there are several roads (albeit some are forest roads) that cross the MST in the most unlikely of places, making it much less remote than it may seem. That being said, it is definitely a rugged trail and not one to be taken lightly or expected to hike quickly. Definitely best if hike with company.
@@markwthompson71 Thanks for the heads up. Will study it prior to hiking it. Going to finish segment 5 from Thunder Hill Overlook EB to Devil Garden soon.
@@VideoIconic that’s a GREAT section. Especially through Doughton Park. I hiked most of that in April of 2020 (video somewhere on my channel) and couldn’t believe how idyllic that section is. It’s pretty easy hiking, too.
There was a dedicated map for the MST at the time that had just come out (which I think has gone away due to FarOut now having the MST on it). Otherwise we used Gaia Maps exclusively for routing and planning our trail.
I've watched this at least a handful of times now...very well done my friend. Thank you again for sharing your time and experiences...hope we can do it again!
Thank YOU for the invite! I’ll be ready when you pass this way again!
What a wonderful adventure in very pretty country!🌄
This was some hard-earned miles, so made for some early nights :-). But yes, beautiful area whether it's views of the gorge or amazing stream crossings. Highly recommended!
MAN!!! This brings back such good memories of my 2019 MST thru hike (East to West)
I'm glad it brought back some good memories! Btw, what was your favorite section?
Water rock Knob, Mile High Campground and Pisgua Inn of course; I timed it just right for the breakfast.......but section 4 as a whole was my favorite
@@kennethclapp9713 The first time I did Segment 4 I ended at Pisgah Inn in the late afternoon. We ordered two bacon burgers and fries and ate them while sitting in their rocking chairs. Can't beat that!
Segment 2 is probably top of my list because of the Middle Prong Wilderness Area (I also did a side trail and watched the sunset from Sams Knob and camped near the bottom). Segment 4 is almost even.
Segment 5 is next in line just because I found it very peaceful and very easy hiking (comparatively).
I've yet to do any serious miles East of Raleigh, so I'm holding out for the Croatan NF area to be high on the list as well.
Just make sure you do the Coastal Region in the early winter to the early spring or you’ll be a big buffet lol. That’s why I chose east to west starting the 1st of April. I avoided most of the insects and had relatively the same temps all the way to Clingman’s Dome
I watched this in full earlier and had to come back and find it on my computer just so that I could say how great this hike looked. I've never really considered doing any of the MST before watching this but man those views and the forest look amazing. Awesome vid, Mark.
That's a serious compliment from you! I had truly intended on filming more, but with good company and hard miles it was easier just to relax over camp dinner, hop in the hammock and go to sleep.
The MST is amazingly diverse. Segment 4's highlights are Dobson's Knob, Linville Gorge and then the Harper and Steel creeks. I strongly recommend each of them depending on what kind of challenge you're looking for. All in all Segments 2, 4 and 5 are my favorite. I've done those three sections multiple times and still look forward to them again in the future.
My goodness it beautiful out there. I try and make it to that Gorge once a year. I need to go more!! Really cool video 👍🏻👍🏻
I live right down the road from it and always ask myself "why don't I go more!"
Such a great section. And smart man skipping the climb up Dobson :). Well it does have great views going up that trail. I felt that laying down on the trail at 13:05. Y’all did some tough miles and those guys look like they’ve got their trail legs and then some. Really enjoyed the vid.
Unfortunately I had to work so couldn’t join the guys earlier for the hike up to Dobson’s Knob. It has pretty cool views, but you definitely have to earn them.
Each night the guys said they were tired, but I think it was just to make me feel better. They’re doing the JMT next month and this was a prep hike. I’m positive they’ll do great.
Thanks for watching! Glad you got something out of it. I was so tired each night I didn’t know if it was a worthwhile video to other people or not.
Man this was awesome can’t wait for my MST hike !!!
Yeah, and this is only one small section of it -- the MST rocks! (until the road walking ... but let's not talk about that part).
Nice footage. Looks like you had great weather. Segment 4 is on my radar. Will need someone to join. Remote as it is.
Surprisingly there are several roads (albeit some are forest roads) that cross the MST in the most unlikely of places, making it much less remote than it may seem. That being said, it is definitely a rugged trail and not one to be taken lightly or expected to hike quickly. Definitely best if hike with company.
@@markwthompson71 Thanks for the heads up. Will study it prior to hiking it. Going to finish segment 5 from Thunder Hill Overlook EB to Devil Garden soon.
@@VideoIconic that’s a GREAT section. Especially through Doughton Park. I hiked most of that in April of 2020 (video somewhere on my channel) and couldn’t believe how idyllic that section is. It’s pretty easy hiking, too.
How did you get the topographic map for segment 4?
There was a dedicated map for the MST at the time that had just come out (which I think has gone away due to FarOut now having the MST on it). Otherwise we used Gaia Maps exclusively for routing and planning our trail.