Casual Climbers: Unfit Hikers in the Carolinas
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Podcast by two middle-aged, beginner hikers who travel upstate South Carolina and western North Carolina providing reviews, tips, tricks, and real information about the many hiking trails in the region. We cater to new hikers, people in less-than-perfect shape (like us), and those just looking for accurate information on difficulty, length, scenery, and experiences. This is a fun take designed to help inexperienced adventurers get outdoors.
Location:
United States
Description:
Podcast by two middle-aged, beginner hikers who travel upstate South Carolina and western North Carolina providing reviews, tips, tricks, and real information about the many hiking trails in the region. We cater to new hikers, people in less-than-perfect shape (like us), and those just looking for accurate information on difficulty, length, scenery, and experiences. This is a fun take designed to help inexperienced adventurers get outdoors.
Language:
English
Episodes
Panther Creek State Park: Seven Sinkholes Trail
3/31/2025
In this week's trail snacks episode, we are in Tennessee's Panther Creek State Park and discuss the Seven Sinkholes Trail. This short hike features some of the more interesting rock features we've seen on a trail. The show will be on hiatus for two months while Roy recovers from shoulder surgery. We'll see you in June!
Duration:00:17:51
Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest: Long Branch Loop Trail
3/24/2025
In this full episode, we are in the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest and discuss the Long Branch Loop Trail. We also have a fun-fact about the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest, and review one of my favorite stops in that area - Expedition: Bigfooot Museum.
Duration:00:42:04
Nantahala National Forest: Alarka Creek Falls Trail
3/17/2025
In this week's trail snacks episode, we head back to the Nantahala National Forest and discuss a nice short waterfall hike: Alarka Creek Falls Trail.
Duration:00:18:37
Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Jakes Creek Trail to Avent Cabin
3/10/2025
In this full episode, we are back in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and discuss the Jakes Creek Trail to Avent Cabin. We also have a fun-fact about the Elkmont Ghost Town right there, and review a nice nearby restaurant in Gatlingburg, TN - Hungry Bear BBQ.
Duration:01:04:17
Five (More) Waterfalls in 15 Minutes or Less
3/3/2025
In this week's special episode, we spotlight five more waterfalls that you can get to in 15 minutes or less: Tom Branch Falls, Mingo Falls, Sunburst Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and Dry Falls.
Duration:00:21:17
Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Oconaluftee River Trail
2/24/2025
In this full episode, we are back in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and discuss the Oconaluftee River Trail. We also have a fun-fact about the seven clans of the Cherokee tribe, and review another nice native-owned restaurant in Cherokee - Paul's Family Restaurant.
Duration:00:53:39
Sumter National Forest: King Creek Falls Trail
2/17/2025
In this Trail Snacks episode, we discuss King Creek Falls Trail in the Sumter National Forest in South Carolina. This fairly easy trail provides a fun trek along a large creek and ends in a spectacular 70' waterfall.
Duration:00:23:22
Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Deep Creek Waterfall Loop
2/10/2025
In this full episode, we are back in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and discuss a truly great trail - Deep Creek Waterfall Loop. We also have a fun-fact about Sequoia - a remarkable figure in Cherokee history, and review a great native-owned restaurant in nearby Cherokee, NC, called Native-Brews Tap & Grill.
Duration:00:55:37
Table Rock State Park: Lakeside Loop Trail
2/3/2025
In this Trail Snacks episode, we discuss Lakeside Loop Trail in Table Rock State Park in South Carolina. This trail circles Pinnacle Lake and provides some truly great views of Table Rock. We also discuss the Spring Trailblaze Challenge to raise funds for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. To register or for more information, go to https://secure2.wish.org/site/TR?pg=entry&fr_id=6183
Duration:00:23:19
Croft State Park: Unofficial Whitestone Springs Trail
1/27/2025
In this week's full episode, we head a little east in South Carolina and discuss a short historical hike in Croft State Park: Whitestone Springs Trail. We also have a fun-fact about the history of the park, and review my go-to hiking shoes that I am never without - Merrell Moab 3.
Duration:00:43:54
Cherokee National Forest: Wolf Creek Falls Trail
1/19/2025
In this week's Trail Snacks episode, we discuss Wolf Creeks Falls Trail in Cherokee National Forest in Tennessee. This short trail rewards you with a wonderful waterfall view.
Duration:00:21:53
Ellicott Rock Wilderness: Spoonauger Falls Trail
1/13/2025
In today's full episode, we are back in South Carolina and discuss a short waterfall hike in Ellicott Rock Wilderness: Spoonauger Falls Trail. We also have a fun-fact about Hillbilly Day there in Mountain Rest, and review a set of ice cleat crampons to help keep your footting on those icy winter trails.
Duration:00:39:11
Oconee State Park: Oconee Loop
1/6/2025
In our season 2 opener, we have a Trail Snacks episode where we discuss Oconee Loop at Oconee State Park in South Carolina. This 3+ mile trail is great exercise and would be spectacular in spring given the massive rhododendron thickets along the trail.
Duration:00:20:48
Year in Review: 2024
12/30/2024
This week's episode is a year in review! We retrace our steps of the trails in the very first episode, talk about some of our favorite trails of the year, discuss some of the biggest events of 2024, and share our experiences doing this podcast.
Duration:00:33:31
Grandfather Mountain State Park: Grandfather Loop
12/23/2024
In this full episode, we are in North Carolina and discuss the Grandfather Mountain State Park's Grandfather Loop. We also have a super-sized fun-fact segment about Grandfather Mountain, and review a nice Scottish restaurant minutes from the park's entrance - The Tartan Restaurant.
Duration:00:55:51
Warriors Path State Park: Sinking Waters Trail
12/16/2024
In this week's Trail Snacks episode, we discuss Sinking Waters Trail in Warriors Path State Park in Tennessee. This fairly short trail is one of the few we may not recommend to listeners.
Duration:00:15:28
Nantahala National Forest: Whiteside Mountain Trail
12/9/2024
In today's full episode, we are in North Carolina and discuss the Whiteside Mountain Trail in Nantahala National Forest. We also have a fun fact about a daring rescue on the mountain in 1911, and review some battery powered warming gloves that are great for winter hikes.
Duration:00:55:29
Sumter National Forest: Yellow Branch Falls Trail
12/2/2024
In this week's Trail Snacks episode, we are back in the Carolinas for the Yellow Branch Falls Trail in Sumter National Forest. This challenging trail ends in a breathtaking 60-foot cascade waterfall that is truly something to behold.
Duration:00:20:34
Cumberland Gap National Historical Park: Object Lesson Road to Tri-State Peak Trail
11/25/2024
In this week's full episode, we are in Kentucky and discuss two trails in Cumberland Gap National Historical Park: Object Lesson Road to Tri-State Peak Trail. We also have a fun fact about some amazing women who helped bring literacy to rural Kentucky in the early 1900s, and review the Dutch Treat, a great Dutch deli, bakery, and store in Rose Hill, Va.
Duration:00:43:55
Cumberland Falls State Resort Park: Cumberland Falls Trails 4 and 6
11/18/2024
In this week's Trail Snacks episode, we are in Kentucky and discuss two trails in Cumberland Falls State Resort Park: Cumberland Falls Trails 4 and 6. These trails provide you with a spectacular view of the famous Cumberland Falls and an awe-inspiring rock formation.
Duration:00:24:51