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EverydayHiker @everydayhiker.bsky.social · 13h

Named for its several rocky outcrops that look like chimneys along the ridge, this is a very popular hike in Linville Gorge with great views both up close and of the surrounding area. Relatively easy, but it does have a couple sections that may bother the height averse without being difficult.

EverydayHiker @everydayhiker.bsky.social · 13h

The Chimneys Trail
Linville Gorge Wilderness, North Carolina

Moderate, *~4.4 mi out and back
Roughly 1,000 ft elevation gain
Hiked 10/15/25

*Due to road closure, 1.7 mi total otherwise

Flickr Album flic.kr/s/aHBqjCyerF

#LinvilleGorge #WNC #NorthCarolina #TheChimneys #hiking #photography #autumn

Looking up at one of the Chimneys from the lower trail section. Some autumn colors may be seen in the foliage surrounding this rocky outcrop towering above.

Looking up at a section of The Chimneys from the turnaround point, with a rich mix of autumn colors leading up to its rocky face.

Table Rock Mountain to the right, with the lower Linville Gorge seen to the left. Most of the trees seen still have a green hue, but fall colors may be seen coming through the mix as well.

The flat top of Shortoff Mountain and a mix of fall colors along the ridge leading between in and the Chimneys which the photo is taken from.

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EverydayHiker @everydayhiker.bsky.social · 1d

Located along the eastern rim of Linville Gorge, this short hike is all uphill leading to a fantastic view of the gorge and nearby Table Rock Mountain. While the hike is minimal, I think it has the best view of the gorge in the area and can be done in conjunction with others. Parking fills fast.

EverydayHiker @everydayhiker.bsky.social · 1d

Hawksbill Mountain Trail
Linville Gorge Wilderness, North Carolina

Moderate, 2.2 mi out and back
758 ft elevation gain
Hiked 10/15/25

#HawksbillMountain #LinvilleGorge #WNC #NorthCarolina #Sunrise #hiking #photography

A wide shot of the Charlotte skyline as seen from Hawksbill Mountain at sunrise, with a pine tree in the right of frame. Fog fills in the lowlands of the foothills in between.

Charlotte Skyline at dawn with the foothills of North Carolina stretching out before it.

Table Rock Mountain being kissed by early morning sunlight with the trees of Hawksbill Mountain lit in the foreground.

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EverydayHiker @everydayhiker.bsky.social · 4d

An easy hike along the Doe river in eastern Tennessee leads to a wide waterfall with a large viewing area just downstream of the falls that would be great for a picnic. A few up and downs along the way provide some elevation gains interspersed between the streamside walk along the Appalachian Trail.

EverydayHiker @everydayhiker.bsky.social · 4d

Laurel Falls via Appalachian Trail
Hampton, Tennessee

Easy to Moderate, 5.1 mi out and back
755 ft elevation gain
Hiked 10/14/25

Flickr Album flic.kr/s/aHBqjCxHDg

#AppalachianTrail #Tennessee #Waterfalls #hiking #photography

A wide shot from downstream of Laurel Falls. A mix of autumn colors in the trees above the falls. I would imagine at higher flows it is quite a sight.

One of two bridge crossings over the Doe River along the trail in early autumn. I'm not sure what the flow in spring would be with this wide basin surrounding a (currently) small stream.

Looking up at a hillside with various early fall colors showing in the trees from a small vantage point along the trail.

What I believe to be a Pipevine Swallowtail butterfly foraging among the honeysuckles.

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EverydayHiker @everydayhiker.bsky.social · 5d

One of the main draws of the hike up to Mt Rogers, or the shorter versions in Grayson Highlands State Park is of course the wild horses that may be found freely roaming in the area. I saw somewhere around 10 of them total scattered about while hiking, in a few different sections.

#WildHorses

A dusky wild horse flicks its blond tail while standing beside a brown wild horse. The horses are somewhat miniature and the fire pit they are standing beside is giant, making a somewhat odd perspective.

A wild horse that must be the champ at hide and go seek as no matter where I moved, it always found a way to be partially obscured behind something. Grayish with blond mane.

One of several 'mediumture' sized wild horses grazes with the fall colors of the hillsides behind it. Brown body and mane.

A dusky wild horse with a shock of blond hair and its brown colored friend graze near a fire pit.

EverydayHiker @everydayhiker.bsky.social · 5d

A delightful hike to the tallest peak in Virginia along a section of the AT. While the summit itself offers no views from its position in the trees, the rest of the hike is filled with nothing but views to make up for it. Wild horses that are not quite miniature offer encouragement as you go along.

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EverydayHiker @everydayhiker.bsky.social · 5d

Mt Rogers via AT and Wilburn Ridge Trails
Grayson Highlands State Park, VA

Moderate to hard, 11.03 mi out and back
2,178 ft elevation gain
Hiked 10/13/25

Flickr Album flic.kr/s/aHBqjCxAUJ

#AppalachianTrail #MtRogers #hiking #Photography #autumn #Virginia

Rolling hillside covered in the just past peak fall foliage leads to some distant ridges under partial clouds.

Autumn in the Grayson Highlands of Virginia under mostly cloudy skies. Shocks of orange dot the mostly brown fields which turn to a nice blue tint in the mountains beyond.

A view of the autumn colored hillside between a gap in two large rocks. Blue hued mountains may be seen beyond under mostly cloudy skies.

Looking back up towards Wilburn Ridge interspersed with green pines and fall foliage.

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EverydayHiker @everydayhiker.bsky.social · 6d

This easy hike takes you to a rock outcrop that has expansive views of the Grayson Highlands area. Minor scrambling to get to the furthest (and best) viewpoint along Listening Rock. This area closes at dusk, which is unfortunate as the sky finally popped as I walked back along the wooded trail.

EverydayHiker @everydayhiker.bsky.social · 6d

Listening Rock Trail
Grayson Highlands State Park, VA

Easy, 1.5 mi out and back
387 ft elevation gain
Hiked 10/13/25

Flickr Album flic.kr/s/aHBqjCxxz9

#GraysonHighlands #Virginia #ListeningRock #MtRogersWilderness #hiking #photography

Near sunset under cloudy skies reveals many layers of mountains coming through the haze.

The main viewpoint on Listening rock, with views of Grayson Highlands and the Mt Rogers Wilderness spreading out below.

Looking out into the rolling mountains near sunset. A Christmas tree farm may be seen with a crop already cut to the right of center.

The rolling countryside surrounding Grayson Highlands near sunset.

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EverydayHiker @everydayhiker.bsky.social · 7d

While along the shore of Hungry Mother Lake, there were about 7-10 Mallards swimming in the water. One male kept dunking on the other trying to show off to the mostly females nearby.

#Birding #Photography

A Mallard Duck flexing its wings near another male while the female pretends not to notice.

A duck antagonizes another male by splashing it while taking off. Landed literally 5 feet further.

A mallard duck just before breaching the water. Another sits in the splash zone.

A view of a female Mallard just before touching into the lake seen through the keyhole of fall colors.

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EverydayHiker @everydayhiker.bsky.social · 7d

Located in SW Virginia, this fun loop takes you to a great viewpoint overlooking Hungry Mother SP before heading back down to a stroll along the lake. As you route down various ebbs of the hillside it always keeps a new view in perspective. Fall colors were a treat, just a little before peak there.

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EverydayHiker @everydayhiker.bsky.social · 7d

Molly's Knob Loop Trail
Hungry Mother State Park, VA

Moderate, 5.81 mi loop
1,253 ft elevation gain
Hiked 10/12/25

Flickr Album flic.kr/s/aHBqjCxovS

#HungryMotherSP #Virginia #MollysKnob #hiking #photography #Autumn #FallFoliage

Walking up to the viewpoint at Molly's Knob with two benches to take in the view. An expansive view is just beyond, the fall colors frame the benches well.

The view out from Molly's Knob, I'm not sure what that ridge line is, possibly Clyburn ridge.

The trail snakes through the fall colors as the hillsides ebb and flow.

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EverydayHiker @everydayhiker.bsky.social · 9d

Located in Bland, VA, this section of the Appalachian Trail is well, kinda bland. Traveling just below the ridgeline for the majority of the hike, there are few viewpoints to be had. Good trail conditions and an even slope make it a good one for exercise, but for views I would look elsewhere.

EverydayHiker @everydayhiker.bsky.social · 9d

Appalachian Trail: Kimberline Creek to Laurel Creek
Bland, VA

Moderate, 9.9 mi out and back
1,781 ft elevation gain
Hiked 10/11/25

#AppalachianTrail #hiking #Virginia #photography

The rolling mountains beginning to yellow under streaky clouds.

Looking out towards a farm from this early (and best) viewpoint along the trail. Also had a leveled spot for camping here.

The trail runs alongside the ridge throughout, never really cresting it. Sloped hillsides are the main view along the trail.

A mix of fall colors seen along the trail.

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EverydayHiker @everydayhiker.bsky.social · 9d

‘He is from New York, I am from New York, we share the same donors.’

Same energy as RFk jr saying ‘I knew Harvey Weinstein. I knew Roger Ailes. I knew—OJ Simpson came to my house. Bill Cosby came to my house.’

EverydayHiker @everydayhiker.bsky.social · 10d

Everything was dry yesterday, I think tomorrow is bringing some rain so the leaves will probably be slick after that.

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EverydayHiker @everydayhiker.bsky.social · 10d

This trail meanders its way up to the viewpoint at High Rocks, with its elevation spread throughout so that it maintains a leisurely pace. Mostly tucked into the trees, its only real views come at the top. Great for if you'd like to just put some miles under the feet. Overcast for majority of hike.

EverydayHiker @everydayhiker.bsky.social · 10d

High Rocks via Left Boundary Trail
Wytheville, VA

Moderate, 9.3 mi out and back
1,398 mi elevation gain
Hiked 10/10/25

#Virginia #hiking #photography

The view to the southwest from High Rocks viewpoint. I believe that is Stuart Mountain in the center and Little Dry Run Wilderness behind it. Some fall color showing, but the overcast clouds took a lot of the color away.

A couple types of mushroom seen sharing the base of this tree.

The view from High Rocks towards what I believe is the town of Stone Mill, VA.

What I believe to be Stuart Mountain, as seen from High Rocks viewpoint. Fall colors were muted by the gray sky.

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EverydayHiker @everydayhiker.bsky.social · 12d

Heavily used as an overnighter with ample space for campsites along the flat ridgeline up top, this short trail does the majority of its ascent in the first 1.3 miles. Once up to there are a variety of views don into Linville Gorge as well as back towards Lake James. Parking lot fills up fast here.

EverydayHiker @everydayhiker.bsky.social · 12d

Shortoff Mountain
Linville Gorge Wilderness, NC

Moderate, 4.77 Out and Back
1,234 ft elevation gain
Hiked 10/5/25

Flickr Album flic.kr/s/aHBqjCwZdn

#LinvilleGorge #WNC #NorthCarolina #ShortoffMountain #hiking #photography

Looking towards Hawksbill Mountain, with a rocky outcrop nearby. Linville river may be seen cutting its way through Linville Gorge.

Looking down into the lowlands, a blanket of fog slowly pulls away. The Linville River may be seen along the right of frame.

A tree growing up from below has absorbed part of the rocky outcrop into its trunk. Looked pretty funky in person.

Various peaks and ridges may be seen in the distance with a section of the large flat area on top of Shortoff Mountain.

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EverydayHiker @everydayhiker.bsky.social · 12d

Heavily used as an overnighter with ample space for campsites along the flat ridgeline up top, this short trail does the majority of its ascent in the first 1.3 miles. Once up to there are a variety of views don into Linville Gorge as well as back towards Lake James. Parking lot fills up fast here.

EverydayHiker @everydayhiker.bsky.social · 12d

Shortoff Mountain
Linville Gorge Wilderness, NC

Moderate, 4.77 Out and Back
1,234 ft elevation gain
Hiked 10/5/25

#LinvilleGorge #WNC #NorthCarolina #hiking #photography

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EverydayHiker @everydayhiker.bsky.social · 13d

A shared use path with bike trails, this trail splits its time with forest and along the lake shore of Lake James with clear views of the surrounding area. Forest appears to have taken a lot of damage from a previous years ice storm. Lots of mushrooms to see; appears to be a bald eagle nest nearby.

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