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Meet Our Crew

We are a blended family of 5. Originally, smalls and talls originated with father and son hiking. When our son would get tired hiking a tough hill, he would call out “You’re killing me smalls”. And so, the first 2 trail names stuck. Smalls started a youtube channel to highlight their trips.

http://www.youtube.com/sandtoutdoors

“You’re killing me Smalls”

The Sandlot

Later, what started as a request for advice on hiking trails, Smalls went hiking with a new partner.

As more time passed, they decided that it was serious enough to introduce everyone. The other trail names followed in stride with the original. Now we have Smalls, Wonderbread, Mediums, Talls, and SnackPack.

“Lets hit the trail!”

SnackPack

Cohutta Wilderness

On this adventure we traveled to the Cohutta wilderness. It was a beautiful day. The weather was absolutely perfect. It was 72° on December 26. Unfortunately we didn’t have the kids for this trip but we made the most of it. Join us on this ride. We had waterfalls and overlooks that were breathtaking.

Lookoff Mountain Overlook

This is another trail located in Black Rock Mountain State Park. This is a 3.4 mile out and back trail that starts at the Lake Loop and climbs up from the parking area starting on the connector trail and then onto the James E. Edmonds Backcountry Trail. When this forks, go to the left. Just before you reach the top, the trail splits again to make a loop—you can go either way. To the right takes you through a nice rhododendron tunnel. The top has a great view!  We really enjoyed this trail! It was just challenging enough for a relatively short trail with a nice payoff.

Candy Mountain Goat Farm

We stumbled upon Candy Mountain Goat Farm in HipCamp and I was instantly ready to book because of the goat pictures! I did a little more research to convince Smalls that it was the right place. We typically look for places where there are only a few campsites because we like to keep to ourselves. This site has 7 campsites but all were available so I figured we were in the clear. Additionally, there is full bathroom including shower and FREE firewood. Plus, they have a store where you can get farm fresh eggs. There is absolutely no cell signal between McCaysville and Murphy—except for at the farm! Scott and Nancy are awesome hosts! The farm is beautifully maintained. The goats are so friendly! I’m hoping to come back to see all the kids that are arriving this summer. Definitely come camp at Candy Mountain Goat Farm!

Blood Mountain

Blood Mountain had been on my bucket list for a long time. It did not disappoint! We started from Byron Reece Trailhead making it 4.4 mile out and back. There was plenty of elevation with stairs in some places. When we went the snow was melting and there were several areas that were quite muddy.  I wish we would have brought trekking poles for this reason. The views were incredible and multiple places to stop and take it all in. I enjoyed checking out the Blood Mountain Shelter. This is a bucket list item for a reason. Check it out!

Old Fall River Road

While in Colorado, we went to Rocky Mountain National Park and drove Old Fall River Road. Old Fall River Rd. is an 11-mile dirt gravel road that is suitable for most vehicles. There are multiple hikes along Old Fall River Road that are rated anywhere from moderate to easy. The views are spectacular and we really struggled with not stopping at every single viewpoint. We highly recommend taking Old Fall River Road if you are in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Red Rocks Amphitheatre

Red Rocks Amphitheatre is an open air amphitheatre built into 2 large sandstone formations and surrounded by a large park with extensive hiking trails. This is where the Great Plains meet the Rocky Mountains. It is the only naturally-occurring, acoustically perfect amphitheatre in the world. It was here at Red Rocks that Smalls and I realized that we were surrounded by an entirely different level of fitness. The people from the area came here for exercise and it was pretty extreme. I’m not sure that I can even explain it well enough, so watch the video. We walked around bit to check out the awesome scenery and went in the visitors center. Definitely check put Red Rocks Amphitheatre and if you’re lucky, check out a concert here. I can only imagine how amazing this experience would be.

Brasstown Bald

Brasstown Bald is the highest point in Georgia. Here, we parked and hiked up to the Visitor’s Center. This is only 0.6 mile trail that is paved and goes straight up to the summit. Once at the summit, there are amazing views of GA, NC, TN, and SC. The Visitor’s Center has a great scavenger hunt you can do to learn more about native plants and animals. Smalls and I went up for sunset one night which was spectacular! If you do not feel up to the hike, they do offer shuttles from the parking lot but there is a fee associated with it and depends on the weather. If you want to see great views in GA and don’t want to do a long hike, go to Brasstown Bald!

Cartecay River Loop Trail

Cartecay River Loop Trail is a 3.4 mile loop just outside of Ellijay, GA. Like many of the WMA trails I’ve hiked, the terrain and scenery changes frequently. If you go left on the trail at the initial fork, it is a little easier. It starts out in an open field, there’s a good bit in the woods, and also a gorgeous walk along the river. Keep in mind that you need a land access permit to utilize WMA. We get a fishing license each year and that covers it. The fishing license is $15/year if you are a GA resident.

Long Creek Falls

Long Creek Falls is just a few miles from the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail at Springer Mountain. To get here, Take FS 58 to Three Forks. Here you park and hike on the AT and BMT. Around 0.8 mile, AT forks off one way, the BMT goes another direction, and you take the other brach over to Long Creek Falls. It is a 1.9 mile out and back trail. We enjoy going here and hanging a hammock while the kids wade in the water. This area is beautiful! In the spring, you will run into through hikers just starting out on their epic journey.